BMW‘s high-performance M vehicles might eventually lose their manual transmissions.
By no means is the move a surprise – it’s long been shown automatic transmissions offer superior performance, but BMW M chief Frank van Meel says dual-clutch gearboxes could become the only option across the M lineup.
“From a technical standpoint, the future doesn’t look bright for manual gearboxes,” Van Meel told Autocar UK. “The DCT and auto ‘boxes are faster and they have better fuel consumption.”
Of course, BMW still cares about purists. Van Meel says it’s tough to make a case for manuals in M cars, but there’s “still a big fan community for manuals and we are not going to take away something the consumer wants to have.”
Furthermore, van Meel says we won’t see any 600+ horsepower M vehicles, either.
Currently, BMW lets buyers spec the M3, M4, M5 and M6 with a manual transmission, but the X5 and X6 M models are automatic-only.
