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BMW M models such as the M2, M3 and M4 will keep their manual transmissions until 2030, ahead of a move to hybrid and electric cars.
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The head of BMW’s M division says its high-performance models will continue to be offered with a manual transmission until the end of the decade.
In a recent report by CarBuzz, Mr van Meel said BMW M customers will be offered the choice of a manual transmission until at least 2030.
“The manual is, unfortunately, not so widespread anymore,” Mr van Meel told CarBuzz at the BMW M Festival in South Africa. “It’s more in the segments of the M2 and M3, and the M4.
“And for those cars, we continue offering the manual, and those cars will run for a long time until the end of this decade.
“You don’t need to be afraid of the manual going away.”
Drive has previously reported manual transmissions are found in about five per cent of new passenger cars sold in Australia.
BMW Australia currently offers just two models with three pedals – the ‘entry-level’ M3 and M4 – although the second-generation M2 will launch with the option of a manual gearbox when it arrives in Australia next year.
The sports coupe is expected to be BMW M’s final non-hybrid model, with an electric successor due to launch in 2030 – based on the German car-maker’s typical seven-year model cycles.
BMW M’s vice president of sales, Timo Resch, echoed Mr van Meel’s sentiments, telling CarBuzz the support manual transmissions receive from car enthusiasts online was part of the reason the company retained the option.
“Save the manual (is a) big campaign from a lot of markets,” Mr Resch told CarBuzz. “We have customers putting up petitions online and voting and pretty much asking for us to keep the manual.
“It’s not as fast as an automatic transmission. So why would you need it?” BMW M engineers asked Mr Resch.
“We said that’s what our customers asked for. And we really actively listened to our customers, to our fan base. The fans asked for it. They got it.”
In July 2021, BMW Australia axed the Z4 sDrive20i manual from its local line-up, reporting just two examples of the three-pedal convertible as sold since its debut in early 2019.
While the BMW Z4’s Toyota Supra twin was initially launched as an automatic only, the Japanese car giant will offer a manual transmission in its sports coupe later this year.
As previously reported, BMW’s German rival Mercedes-Benz is expected to phase out production of manual transmissions in its new cars next year.
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