[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by xlover

Most miss that this is the reality: The manual transmission is a low take rate option that is detrimental to both performance and efficiency. It has become a toy, In premium vehicles it exists purely for the enjoyment of a small (but vocal) group of owners who are willing to take a less capable vehicle because of the "feel". That is fine by me they just have to vote with their wallets that the development dollars should be spent there vs on other options.

You hit the nail on the head, a M spec vehicle is all about higher performance. The current F90 with MxDrive was a animal on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, especially in the rain, as I was in the F90 training group and we lapped the 2 wheel drive M4's during full laps. The BMW M engineers hinted to me that this coming, automatic MxDrive, for the next G80 (even DCT is history). Why give up performance for a manual, especially improved fuel consummation as this was the reasoning behind the electrical steering for the F80's.

I highly doubt the 6MT diehards walking with their wallets will be felt by BMW AG/BMW NA. The M2 is a different story as BMW AG is very aware of the high 6MT uptake for the US market.