Here's a brief history in modern horology. Swiss movement automatic, or self-winding, watches were later replaced by simpler quartz watches from Japanese brands Seiko and Citizen. Then, analog watches were replaced by Casio digital watches. Yet despite the changing of the times (har har), connoisseurs and practicalists still have the option today to enjoy either a Patek Philippe or an Armitron.
Carrying the train of thought to automobiles, shouldn't driving enthusiasts and daily commuters continue enjoying manual or automatic transmissions at their discretion? The answer is no, says BMW.
Via Inside Line, head of engineering at BMW Motorsports Albert Biermann revealed that the next generation M5 and M6 vehicles will only come available with a dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Coming from the Bavarian automaker that has long touted its vehicles as the "Ultimate Driving Machine," this may come disappointing, or even offensive to the many loyalists of the brand. To traditional driving enthusiasts, shifting your own gears is essential to a pleasurable driving experience. How can the definitive driver's car take that away from them?
The issue lies in the small rate of manual buyers compared to customers that request for an automatic transmission. The six-speed manual transmission found in the current BMW M5 is a heavily reworked variant taken from a standard 5 Series. A costly effort of re-engineering, the six-speed sells alongside the seven-speed double-clutch unit as a no-cost option in the United States. What's more, the option is exclusive. BMW does not offer a six-speed manual for sale in any other market.
Biermann said, "Last year, maybe 15-20 percent of our M5s in the U.S. were manuals and maybe this year it will be 15 percent. It's declining. The trouble is that nobody wants it in Europe or anywhere else, so this will be the last time we do it, even for the hard-core U.S. buyers."
"We just can't justify it anymore. It's a no-cost option, but it's been very difficult to do. Theoretically the stick is cheaper, but it's very low volumes and we have to strengthen everything in the gearbox and find space for the shifter and another pedal, so it doesn't work out cheaper."
Despite the sad news, Biermann insists, "The M3 needs to have a stick shift. It will always have a stick shift." While that's exactly what enthusiasts want to hear and BMW's intentions are great, the statement's promise of "always" will likely be broken. The manual transmission is going the way of dinosaurs and like Darwin, BMW isn't likely to stay around and preserve the obsolete.
