There was time when a manual transmission and later a dual-clutch transmission was chosen instead of an automatic, no one could take the performance seriously.
Choosing a transmission isn’t as easy these days, as modern automatics shift much faster than before and are just as fuel efficient or even more economical than the alternatives.
But it seems that, at least among car manufacturers, the winner has already been decided: the traditional torque converter-based automatic.
is talking to Top grade Dirk Hacker, head of BMW M development, said in an interview published on Wednesday that the double-clutch gearbox is already dead at BMW M, and a manual is also in the works.
“From BMW M’s point of view, the dual clutch is gone these days,” he said. “Now it’s manual or automatic, and in the future it’s automatically electrified.”
The advantages that dual-clutch transmissions once offered over automatics, such as lighter weight and superior shift speeds, are no longer evident. BMW M even uses an automatic in it M4 GT4 racing car. However, Hacker said another reason to ditch the automatic is the latter’s increased refinement, especially in low-speed maneuvers such as parking.
As for the manual, Hacker said suppliers are already beginning to phase out the transmission, making it difficult to continue offering it, especially given the low take-up rate.
“If you look around, you’ll see that the future of manual transmission suppliers is going to decline,” he said. “So I’m not sure we’ll have the opportunity in the future – but the next six or seven years is a projection.”
There’s also the prospect of cars switching to electric powertrains and adopting self-driving capabilities, two technologies where automakers tend to favor automatic transmissions over the alternatives. Due to their high torque at low revolutions, electric motors are compatible with single-speed transmissions.
While Toyota strives to a manual transmission for electric vehiclesHacker told Top Gear that BMW M is not going down that road.
Given these comments, the latest M2 with a standard 6-speed manual transmission, it will likely be BMW M’s last manual-equipped car.
This article was originally published by Motor Authorityeditorial partner ClassicCars.com
