BMW M to offer manual transmission as long as possible, despite no technical reason

BMW M to continue to keep handbook gearbox option for eager motorists

German automobile maker seeking to buck guide-ditching pattern, immediately after adhere-shift accounted for 50% of all M2 orders

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by Felix Site 24 June 2022

BMW M boss Frank van Meel is identified to hold the manual gearbox on the possibilities checklist for as extended as probable and has been buoyed in his quest by 50% of orders for the BMW M2 requesting it.

“From a technological viewpoint, there’s minimal purpose to save it. It’s heavier, it’s slower and you get worse gasoline usage than the different. But the purchaser and the fanbase really really like the handbook. It gives a link to make it possible for them to show they can tame the beast – and that’s the position. We want to hold it,” he claimed.

Several corporations have previously scrapped the guide selection, this kind of as Mercedes-AMG, citing array simplifications and reduce creation fees.

But BMW appears established to buck the pattern, with van Meel confirming that the manual possibility is much too popular to ditch.

He additional: “For the M2, each individual 2nd motor vehicle is bought with a manual. People today want to say they can deal with the beast. If they have a way of exhibiting they can do that, then they want it – and a handbook gearbox is section of that.

“It’s aspect of the psychological enchantment of our cars, and that’s why we enjoy handbook gearboxes. The US is the most important sector, and if customers continue to say they want it, then incredible.”

The up coming iteration of the M2 is anticipated to arrive in showrooms at the finish of 2022, which suggests its unveiling is only months away. It will have even stronger functionality and extra versatility than the product it replaces.

The next-era 2 Series Coupé, on which it is really based mostly, is by now on sale.

AUTOCAR https://www.autocar.co.british isles/automobile-information/c…n-keen-motorists