About half of BMW M2 buyers in the US choose a six-speed manual transmission, said head of the BMW M division Frank van Meel. This refers to the choice between a manual gearbox and an eight-speed automatic, which is capable of shifting gears faster. At the same time, BMW does not disclose the exact total sales volume of manual M2s. According to van Meel, strong demand for manual transmissions was one of the factors that enabled the company to release the special M3 CS Handschalter version.
The BMW M3 CS Handschalter came exclusively with a manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and 480 hp, whereas the standard M3 CS with an automatic transmission develops 550 hp and 650 Nm. According to AutoNext, the limited-edition M3 CS Handschalter sold out in about a week. The car was offered only in the US and Canada, so European buyers were unable to get this version.
A similar situation unfolded at Porsche. The company brought back the six-speed manual for the 2027 model year 911 Carrera S following the 992.2 generation’s shift to the eight-speed PDK, but the new version is offered exclusively in North America. Porsche directly attributes the decision to strong customer demand, citing a desire to preserve a more immediate driver-vehicle interaction as one of its guidelines. The Carrera S with a manual gearbox is equipped with a 3.0-liter flat-six engine delivering 473 hp.
The reported data point to sustained demand for manual transmissions in the sports car segment rather than a widespread comeback of manuals. At the same time, manufacturers face technical limitations: BMW’s manual transmission is rated for 550 Nm, so increasing power and torque in higher-performance versions restricts the possibility of using it. For sports car buyers, the manual remains a distinct vehicle characteristic for which some customers are willing to forgo the faster shifts of an automatic transmission.