The Joy of Manual Gearboxes: A BMW M2 That's Said to Be the Last
A manual gearbox and a sporty BMW are typically a great combination, one that has been perfected over the years through the mechanical man-machine connection. This connection is what makes driving a car truly enjoyable, and BMW has made some wonderful driving machines that deliver this experience to enthusiasts. The latest car to deliver on this experience is the BMW M2, and it sounds like it will also be the last one to do so.
According to word on the street, the new M2 will be the last M-badged vehicle to be offered with a manual gearbox. This is a strong way to go out for the M2, as it's already known to be a heck of a machine. The six-speed stick is standard, and it backs up a twin turbocharged inline six that produces 435 horsepower and 406 pound feet of torque. This engine combination makes the M2 a blast to drive, whether you choose the manual or the eight-speed automatic.
BMW's decision to discontinue the manual gearbox as an option across its lineup may not come as a surprise to many enthusiasts. The automaker has been looking to add more electrification to its lineup, whether in full battery electrics or with plug-in hybrid models. In this case, BMW sees a manual gearbox as unnecessary for such vehicles. This means that the row-it-yourself option is also coming to an end, at least for future M products.
This news may be a bit of a blow to enthusiasts who love manual gearboxes and M-badged baddies. However, it's not all bad news, as BMW has been building out a portfolio of sporty crossovers and electrified options in recent years. The latest m-specific machine developed by the M Division is the XM, which was done fully by the division. This brings back memories of the iconic M1, which was the last time an M-only machine was built.
For those who love manual gearboxes and M-badged cars, now is a good time to scoop up one of these vehicles before they're gone for good. The M2 could quickly become a collectible down the road if this news is true, and perhaps the value of older manual-equipped M cars will start to rise a bit more sharply. This could be an opportunity for enthusiasts to buy a car that will hold its value well.
It's worth noting that some non-M models may still have manual transmissions available for a while longer. However, as far as future M products are concerned, it sounds like the row-it-yourself option has met its last Model. This is not a surprise, given BMW's focus on electrification and the decline of dual-clutch transmissions.
The E30 M3s have already been expensive for quite some time now, but prices are still moving up. The E36 models, including both the E28 and E39, are also trending upward. It's only a matter of time before the E60 model follows suit, given the idea of a 10-cylinder sport sedan is quite intriguing.
So, do you think BMW is really done with manual gearboxes? Is the new M2 going to be a milestone moment for the company that once used the tagline "the ultimate driving machine"? Or will there be another M badge monster to come along and offer one last thrill ride with a stick shift bolted in place? Only time will tell, but for now, it's worth appreciating the joy of manual gearboxes and enjoying the driving experience before it's gone.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ena manual gearbox and a sporty BMW typically make for a great combination over the years BMW has made some wonderful driving machines and the act of driving those cars delivers Joy through the mechanical man machine connection the latest car to deliver on this experience is the BMW M2 and it sounds like it will also be the last one to do so as well word is that the new M2 will be the last M badged vehicle to be offered with the manual gearbox this is a strong way to go out at least as the M2 is a heck of a machine the six-speed stick is standard and it backs up a twin turbocharged inline six that produces 435 horsepower and 406 pound feet of torque you can get it with an 8-speed automatic if you prefer and it's probably still a blast with that gearbox but the manual version should be a boy to drive BMW is looking to add more electrification to its lineup be it in full battery electrics or with plug-in hybrid models and the automaker doesn't see a manual gearbox as a necessary component for such Vehicles it's not just the manual going away either as BMW is also going to be done with dual clutch Transmissions some non-m models could have manual transmissions for a bit longer but as far as future M products are concerned it sounds like the row it yourself option has met its last Model that's really not that much of a surprise either BMW is building out a portfolio of sporty Crossovers and electrified options the latest m-specific machine to be developed for example is the XM this one was done fully by the M Division and the last time M built an M only machine it was the iconic M1 so if you're a fan of manual gearboxes and m-batched baddies you're going to want to scoop up one of these ASAP the M2 could quickly become a collectible down the road if this news is true and perhaps the value of older manual equipped M cars could start to rise a bit more sharply E30 M3s have been expensive for quite some time now E36 prices are still moving up both the E28 and E39 are only trending upward and the E60 shouldn't be far behind as the idea of a 10-cylinder sport sedan is rather intriguing so do you think m is really done with manual gearboxes is the new M2 going to be a milestone moment for a company that once used the tagline the ultimate driving machine or is there going to be another M badge monster to come along and offer one last Thrill Ride with a stick shift bolted in place thank youa manual gearbox and a sporty BMW typically make for a great combination over the years BMW has made some wonderful driving machines and the act of driving those cars delivers Joy through the mechanical man machine connection the latest car to deliver on this experience is the BMW M2 and it sounds like it will also be the last one to do so as well word is that the new M2 will be the last M badged vehicle to be offered with the manual gearbox this is a strong way to go out at least as the M2 is a heck of a machine the six-speed stick is standard and it backs up a twin turbocharged inline six that produces 435 horsepower and 406 pound feet of torque you can get it with an 8-speed automatic if you prefer and it's probably still a blast with that gearbox but the manual version should be a boy to drive BMW is looking to add more electrification to its lineup be it in full battery electrics or with plug-in hybrid models and the automaker doesn't see a manual gearbox as a necessary component for such Vehicles it's not just the manual going away either as BMW is also going to be done with dual clutch Transmissions some non-m models could have manual transmissions for a bit longer but as far as future M products are concerned it sounds like the row it yourself option has met its last Model that's really not that much of a surprise either BMW is building out a portfolio of sporty Crossovers and electrified options the latest m-specific machine to be developed for example is the XM this one was done fully by the M Division and the last time M built an M only machine it was the iconic M1 so if you're a fan of manual gearboxes and m-batched baddies you're going to want to scoop up one of these ASAP the M2 could quickly become a collectible down the road if this news is true and perhaps the value of older manual equipped M cars could start to rise a bit more sharply E30 M3s have been expensive for quite some time now E36 prices are still moving up both the E28 and E39 are only trending upward and the E60 shouldn't be far behind as the idea of a 10-cylinder sport sedan is rather intriguing so do you think m is really done with manual gearboxes is the new M2 going to be a milestone moment for a company that once used the tagline the ultimate driving machine or is there going to be another M badge monster to come along and offer one last Thrill Ride with a stick shift bolted in place thank you\n"
