BMW is giving the people what they want, and what they want is an M3 with a manual transmission.
Yes, it seems that the hashtag #savethemanuals has actually done some good, as BMW will be offering a manual transmission for 2021 on its M3 and (ugly) M4 models.
“For customers who prefer a puristic performance experience and particularly intense interaction with their vehicle, the model variants with a manual transmission constitute an offer that is unique in this segment,” head of Development M Automobiles Dirk Häcker said.
The manual transmission will be available for the base model 2021 M3 and M4, where it will be connected to a 480-horsepower twin-turbo straight-six. A 510-horsepower Competition variant will also be offered, but with an eight-speed automatic instead of the manual. Because face it: if you’re really chasing down the fastest lap times, the manual transmission is a huge disadvantage.
Both vehicles will only be available in rear-wheel-drive at first, but all-wheel-drive will be made available for Competition versions as an option.
“With the Competition versions of the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupe, we are addressing maximum dynamics in regards power development and transfer—initially with classic rear-wheel drive and, at a later date, also in conjunction with the latest version of our four-wheel-drive system M xDrive,” Häcker said.
The vehicles will be revealed in September of 2020.