{"id":33802,"date":"2022-10-16T03:07:04","date_gmt":"2022-10-16T07:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=33802"},"modified":"2022-10-16T03:07:04","modified_gmt":"2022-10-16T07:07:04","slug":"bmw-m-pledges-keep-manual-gearbox-alive-until-2030","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=33802","title":{"rendered":"BMW M Pledges To Keep Manual Gearbox Alive Until 2030"},"content":{"rendered":"

The gradual switch to electric cars comes along with more hybrids and fewer models equipped with manual transmissions. When everything is going to be electric, there will be no more clutch pedals. That day hasn\u2019t come yet, and enthusiasts can take comfort from knowing BMW M intends to keep the 6MT alive until the end of the decade.<\/p>\n

In an interview at the BMW M Festival<\/a> in South Africa, BMW M CEO Frank van Meel was asked about the fate of the ol\u2019 stick shift. He admitted the manual is a dying breed, but still makes sense in the M2 and M3\/M4 segments. He went on to say that for those three cars, you\u2019ll still be able to row your own gears until around 2030. The DIY gearbox won\u2019t be discontinued in this timeframe, just as long there is enough customer demand.<\/p>\n

His sentiments were echoed by Timo Resch, BMW M\u2019s Vice President Customer, Brand, Sales. He said the interest in manual gearboxes the Munich-based is enjoying remains strong. So much so that people are signing online petitions to keep the three-pedal setup in performance cars. Even though engineers have told company higher-ups an automatic is objectively quicker, Resch insisted a manual must still be offered because that\u2019s what customers want.<\/p>\n

Looking at BMW\u2019s lineup, the larger M3 and M4 are likely to lose the manual transmission first. It is believed the sports sedan will remain in production until June 2027 while the coupe will follow suit a year later. As for the recently unveiled M2<\/a>, it\u2019ll likely be manufactured until July 2029, which falls in line with Frank van Meel\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n