BMW's Shocking Decision: The End of Manual Transmissions in the 1 Series
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At the beginning of the year, we were hopeful. It seemed BMW enthusiasts would still have something to cling to with the 1 Series offering a manual gearbox. Yet, as the F40 bids farewell, so does an entire era of stick-shift delight. The dawn of the fourth-generation F70 model marks a complete switch to automated driving, with BMW’s most accessible model now exclusively featuring a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission.
From the modest 118d to the high-octane M135, the revamped 1 Series spans only two pedals. The standard Steptronic transmission is optionally enhanced with shift paddles, courtesy of the M Sport Package which allows for manual gear changes at the flick of a finger. For those opting for the M Performance package, they will discover red accents for more rapid shifts and the M Sport Boost function—activated by holding the left paddle for at least one second, transforming the car into a performance beast.
Sure, the automatic gearbox is superbly engineered, routing power to the front wheels in most 1 Series models, with the M135 receiving the xDrive system as a standard. While enthusiasts may lament the loss of the manual, BMW’s decision reflects a broader trend in the automotive industry. The survival of manual gearboxes is increasingly under scrutiny as manufacturers prioritize more driver-friendly and technically advanced automated transmissions. It’s hard to imagine a resurgence of the stick-shift, especially as even BMW’s M division finds it progressively challenging to justify its inclusion.
What The Future Holds
As we look to 2024, it seems logical that the new 2 Series Gran Coupe (F74) will follow the trend. The new swoopy sedan is expected to cast off the six-speed manual found in the outgoing F44’s lower-tier versions in certain markets. Moreover, this is consistent with the direction of BMW’s related models, such as the X1, X2, and 2 Series Active Tourer which have already embraced auto-only transmissions.
Therefore, the last bastions of BMW's manual heritage remain in the M2, M3, and M4, along with the Z4 M40i. Yet, enthusiasts should not get too comfortable; the end of this decade might also mark the twilight of the manual in these models. As many will recall, MINI has already said goodbye to the manual transmission with no intentions of bringing it back, further signaling an industry-wide shift.
Broader Implications
The decline of the manual gearbox is not merely a BMW issue; it's emblematic of a shifting automotive landscape. Enthusiasts hearken back to simpler times when mastering a clutch and gear stick were essential skills for any driver worth their salt. Today, though, efficiency, emission standards, and technological advancements are reconfiguring what it means to drive a high-performance vehicle.
Moreover, other prestigious auto brands are following suit. Remember ALPINA's last manual gearbox offering? Or the idea of a Rolls-Royce featuring a stick shift? These are distant memories, relegated to the annals of automotive history as the industry embraces a more electrically driven, autonomous future.
While BMW’s shift may be a harbinger of what's to come, it's also a chance to appreciate the sophisticated engineering that goes into modern transmissions. There’s an art to seamlessly blending performance with automation, an art that BMW has mastered over decades. This change might alienate purists, but for the wider audience, it will likely enhance the driving experience.
So, as we bid farewell to the manual gearbox in the BMW 1 Series, let’s acknowledge what this means for the future of driving. Old-school enthusiasts may mourn this loss, but the new era promises innovation, efficiency, and advancements that could redefine automotive pleasure.