While some car companies have abandoned the manual transmission altogether, the CEO of BMW M will ensure they are offered for the next generation of the company’s products.
In a report by Car and Driver, Frank van Meel did however say that the manual gearbox will eventually be dropped as companies move to higher levels of autonomy. “The bad news is that if we one day have autonomous cars, then the manual cannot work anymore so that would be, let’s say, the natural end. But that’s still some time away,” he said.
Continuing on, van Meel noted that there is still a demand for manuals, with 50% of M2 buyers in the United States opting to do all the shifting themselves. The latest M2 Competition is offered with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
“Buyers vote with their wallets for manual transmissions. Now, being an engineer, I would say from a rational standpoint that even though the manual gearbox is lighter than an automated gearbox, it uses more fuel and is slower, so it doesn’t really make sense,” van Meel explained.
“But from the emotional standpoint, a lot of customers say, ‘I don’t care, I want to have one.’ As long as we have these take rates on M2, and also the M3 and M4, we’re going to offer manuals, because we listen to our customers. Even though as an engineer I’d say we don’t necessarily need one. If demand is so high, then why not fulfill it?” he added.
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Many people want manual gearboxes still.
Yes, your many still lose out to MOST hence more still prefer Auto :P. Check out the number of purchaser buying new cars, almost 99% buy an auto.
Because there is no option for manual. Even if there is a manual, it is a lowest spec.
Yes it’s true many people go for auto-box for convenience, especially in Malaysia… and rightly so. But we’re talking about specific cars here namely the BMW Ms, where customers want to be more engaged with the driving. Van Meel put it very clear. From an engineer’s view, a manual box is not as efficient, but from an emotional standpoint its a different story. And in case you haven’t noticed, emotion sells BMW M cars, not rationale.
Most modern automatics are very good to the point of being more superior compared to manual but there is something about manual that even the best autobox can’t deliver.The feeling of connectedness.Man and machine as one.Do bear in mind though we are talking about performance cars not normal family cars.Those I take automatic anytime.
Not conventional autos. The ones superior to manual r DCTs.
For a hot country like ours, most auto gearbox have a dedicated oil cooler and a separate small radiator. I have never seen a manual gearbox with a cooler attached. So it is safe to say tht manual gearbox can never overheat.
The truth is manual is old school & irrelevant soon. Why racing cars/F1/WRC don’t employ manual anymore ?!
Maybe living in an open/Big country roads like USA, UK or Europe will be appreciated.
I’ll still take a manual even its a normal family cars.
only real men used 3 pedals
Bmw with manual transmission is not suitable in malaysia due to cramped driver footwell space which results in offset and misaligned pedal position in right hand drive bmws. Left hand drive bmws have wider footwell space and have no misaligned pedal position.
How I wish BMW Malaysia offers Manual for their fleet.. The only Manual is being offered is BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. not sure is they still offers or not.