BMW executives have repeatedly mentioned the Bavarian automaker’s product plans included plenty of future cars with manual transmissions, including one in particular: the Z4. The company confirmed plans for a “handschalter” model for 2025.
The 2024 BMW Z4 M40i will be available with a 6-speed manual gearbox for the first time ever.
The 2024 BMW Z4 M40i will be available with a 6-speed manual gearbox for the first time ever. The Z4 is a shared project vehicle with Toyota, where it’s better known as the GR Supra. The Z4 is a ragtop while Toyota’s Supra is available only as a hardtop. It also got a 6-speed manual last year.
Fans of the two-seat convertible thought of as a luxury Mazda Miata, long have pressed BMW to produce it with a manual transmission. The call got louder after Toyota offered one in the Supra.
“The pairing of the manual gearbox with the 382-hp TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine forms the heart of an enticing equipment package that emphasizes the two-seater’s focus on delivering an exhilarating open-top driving experience,” the company noted.
What a difference some gears make
The Z4 comes with a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder with a powerband that allows for a strong pull across its breadth. The standard offering is an 8-speed automatic transmission; however, that 6-speed manual is tough to ignore.
BMW’s charging $3,500 for the 6-speed manual package.
The manual-equipped BMW Z4 M40i can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds, on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
In addition to the manual gearbox, the refined chassis tuning, and the combination of 19-inch and 20-inch M light-alloy wheels, the “Handschalter” package also adds distinct design features to the exterior of the BMW Z4 M40i as part of the deal. They include Extended Shadowline black high-gloss exterior trim on the exterior mirror caps, badging, and specially designed flaps for managing the airflow around the rear wheel arches, as well as red calipers for the M Sport brakes.
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Not free
Of course, getting all this comes at a price — albeit not a terrible one. BMW’s charging $3,500 for the 6-speed manual package.
Included in the price of the package is the customer’s choice of metallic paints including San Remo Green metallic, which is offered only on the manual version. Also available exclusively on the manual-equipped Z4 M40i is BMW Individual Frozen Deep Green metallic, offered at a special package price.
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