.png)
The fanfare met by the addition of a manual to the Toyota Supra last year had BMW folks hollering for the mechanically-related Z4 to follow suit. And seriously, BMW. A small German roadster like this is just asking for a stick shift option.
Luckily, that burning request has finally been answered, as the range-topping Z4 M40i will be offering a manual transmission for North American and European customers starting in spring 2024. The six-speed manual joins the eight-speed ZF automatic that Z4 owners have been forced to make do with during the five years since the G29 roadster's debut. Note that the entry-level sDrive30i still pairs its four-cylinder engine with an automatic only, which means the six-cylinder M40i is the only model available with the new stick shift.
As a subtle middle finger to Supra fans, BMW went beyond simply dropping the Toyota's gearbox into the Z4's transmission tunnel. Instead, the roadster features a unique linkage and short lever, and those who have already gotten behind the wheel of the manual Z4 say its shift feel sits above that of the Supra, and even tops BMW's own M2.
BMW even went as far as to add mechanical upgrades to the other parts of the manual-equipped car. It gains a new rear axle and differential borrowed straight from the M240i, along with extra stiffening for the front anti-roll bar, additional tuning for the adaptive dampers, and some tweaks to the electric steering. The manual also features a number of exclusive colors you won't find on the automatic Z4, including a sleek shade of frozen green.
Regardless of which transmission you choose, the M40i's 3.0 liter turbocharged inline-six produces the same 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. However, the manual inevitably imposes a tax on the roadster's 0-60 mph time, sending it from a standstill in 4.2 seconds as opposed to the automatic's 3.9.
Sadly, those who want a manual in their Z4 M40i will have to pay an extra $3,500, which equates to nearly $70,000. Conversely, the Supra actually charges fewer dollars for its stick shift option, bringing the price of the Premium trim down by $1,195 for an asking price of $58,745.
Image Credits: BMW
Revealed
Dec 17, 2023
•
BMW Silences Supra Fans With The Manual Z4 We've Been Waiting For
The six-speed gearbox is exclusive to the M40i model for now.
The fanfare met by the addition of a manual to the Toyota Supra last year had BMW folks hollering for the mechanically-related Z4 to follow suit. And seriously, BMW. A small German roadster like this is just asking for a stick shift option.
Luckily, that burning request has finally been answered, as the range-topping Z4 M40i will be offering a manual transmission for North American and European customers starting in spring 2024. The six-speed manual joins the eight-speed ZF automatic that Z4 owners have been forced to make do with during the five years since the G29 roadster's debut. Note that the entry-level sDrive30i still pairs its four-cylinder engine with an automatic only, which means the six-cylinder M40i is the only model available with the new stick shift.
As a subtle middle finger to Supra fans, BMW went beyond simply dropping the Toyota's gearbox into the Z4's transmission tunnel. Instead, the roadster features a unique linkage and short lever, and those who have already gotten behind the wheel of the manual Z4 say its shift feel sits above that of the Supra, and even tops BMW's own M2.
BMW even went as far as to add mechanical upgrades to the other parts of the manual-equipped car. It gains a new rear axle and differential borrowed straight from the M240i, along with extra stiffening for the front anti-roll bar, additional tuning for the adaptive dampers, and some tweaks to the electric steering. The manual also features a number of exclusive colors you won't find on the automatic Z4, including a sleek shade of frozen green.
Regardless of which transmission you choose, the M40i's 3.0 liter turbocharged inline-six produces the same 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. However, the manual inevitably imposes a tax on the roadster's 0-60 mph time, sending it from a standstill in 4.2 seconds as opposed to the automatic's 3.9.
Sadly, those who want a manual in their Z4 M40i will have to pay an extra $3,500, which equates to nearly $70,000. Conversely, the Supra actually charges fewer dollars for its stick shift option, bringing the price of the Premium trim down by $1,195 for an asking price of $58,745.
Image Credits: BMW
