Sylvia Neubauer, BMW M division Vice President, Customer, Brand, and Sales, told Automobilwoche that engineers are developing a solution to keep manual clutches viable as engine power increases.
Earlier this year BMW M boss Frank van Meel said a manual gearbox "doesn't really make sense from an engineering standpoint," arguing manuals limit torque and that beefier manuals would be costly to develop.
BMW already limits torque for manual cars; the M2 automatic carries 50 Nm more torque than the manual. BMW has ended production of the Z4 M40i this month, leaving only the M2, M3, and M4 available with a stick shift.
BMW has confirmed a next-generation M3 with a six-cylinder engine expected in 2028, and BMW says current M2 and M4 coupes could remain on sale for several more years, giving enthusiasts a limited window to buy a six-speed M car.
Read the full article at motor1.com.
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