BMW M boss says manuals not dead, just ‘really difficult’ to keep alive
The CEO of BMW M is continuing to back manual transmissions, but admits the cards are stacked against three-pedal models.
BMW is one of the remaining few performance car marque which continues to offer customers the option of a manual transmission, at least in a select handful of products.
Only the BMW M2, M3 and M4 are available as manuals, and in each of the models the three-pedal version develops less torque than their automatic counterparts.
With BMW’s next-generation M performance cars expected to be adopting 48-volt mild-hybrid systems to meet emissions targets, the brand’s CEO, Frank van Meel, told BMW Blog, “it’s going to be really difficult” to keep manuals in production.
“I don’t want to explain why it’s difficult, because every engineer always explains why things are difficult,” he added, explaining the 48-volt system won’t be compatible with a manual transmission.
BMW has repeatedly had to dial-down some of its manual models to be able to last, with the higher torque outputs of its twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six engines delivering the ability to lunch gearboxes.
This has seen special edition vehicles like the M2 CS go auto-only, while BMW’s modern 3.0 CSL made more power than the M4 upon which it was based but developed 100Nm less, thanks to it being exclusively manual.
Earlier this year, then-BMW M vice president Sylvia Neubauer told German publication Automobilwoche – subsequently reported by BMW Blog – that future manual products will likely feature reduced outputs, meaning the driving experience will be more focused on the driving experience rather than outright speed.
Neubauer had previously been an advocate for manual-loving customers in the BMW M lineup, saying in June last year, “we always have ideas in mind to bring more manuals into certain markets in a certain quantity because we know that there are manual transmission lovers out there”.
“Yes, we will keep you happy.
“I think BMW will always be very creative. We can always think about it [M car with a manual transmission]. BMW M is a rather entrepreneurial company of very passionate M guys.”
Jordan Mulach
In his latest discussion with BMW Blog, Van Meel said the brand acknowledges “that there is a high demand [for manual vehicles], and it’s a very emotional issue”, before being asked by the publication if BMW M would consider reserving manuals for exclusive, high-end vehicles.
“No, it’s not off the table,” van Meel said. “As you can hear, we are always trying to find solutions.”
There’s no timeline on the end of manuals for BMW M, though the M3 and M4 are due to be replaced in 2028 and 2029, respectively, while the M2 will also likely bow out before the end of the decade.
