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Thanks to the Toyota Supra mechanical twin, the range-topping BMW Z4 M40i could soon be offered with a manual transmission – but don’t hold your breath for an Australian launch.
The BMW Z4 range could see the return of the manual transmission, but this time on the range-topping M40i variant.
Spy photographers working for Spanish publication Motor.es report seeing BMW engineers testing a pre-facelift Z4 M40i – with the distinct sound of the driver manually changing gears.
It all but confirms a report from respected BMW insider known as ‘ynguldyn’, who previously revealed production of the manual BMW Z4 M40i is due to begin in March 2024.
Both the Toyota Supra and the BMW Z4 are manufactured in Austria by Magna Steyr, presumably making the swap into the BMW relatively cheap and easy, as most of the development work has already been done for the Toyota.
BMW Australia axed the manual transmission from the Z4 range in July 2021 after selling just two examples of the manual Z4 in as many years – however, the option was only available for the entry-level sDrive20i.
While the manual Z4 sDrive20i used a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine developing 145kW and 320Nm, the range-topping Z4 M40i is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine putting out 285kW and 500Nm, sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
However, it’s not certain whether the manual Z4 M40i will ever make it to Australian showrooms.
The prototypes spotted were in left-hand drive, and local demand for vehicles with manual transmission – including sports cars – has been dwindling in recent years.
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