According to BMW Motorsport, the dual-clutch gearbox is on its way out and the manual transmission is living its last moments.
DUAL CLUTCH, TORQUE CONVERTER, WHAT IS IT?
Automatic transmissions with torque converters and dual-clutch transmissions are two types of transmissions used in modern cars.
Here's how each one works and what their respective advantages are.
Automatic transmission with torque converter:
An automatic transmission with a torque converter uses a hydraulic device, called a torque converter, to transmit power from the engine to the wheels. When the driver selects a gear, the torque converter adjusts to allow for smooth torque transfer. This results in seamless, jerk-free gear changes.
Automatic transmissions with torque converters are appreciated for their driving comfort and ease of use. They are particularly well-suited to urban driving and relaxed driving.
Dual-clutch transmission:
A dual-clutch transmission uses two sets of clutches, one for even-numbered gears and the other for odd-numbered gears. The idea is to pre-select the next gear, allowing for quick and almost instantaneous gear changes. While the vehicle is moving in one gear, the next gear is already pre-selected, ready to be engaged.
This results in extremely fast gear changes without any interruption in torque. Dual-clutch transmissions are popular with sporty drivers because they offer ultra-fast gear changes and a more dynamic driving feel.
In summary, torque converter automatic transmissions are better suited to comfortable and relaxed driving, while dual-clutch transmissions offer sporty performance and quick gear changes.
BMW M's decision to favour torque converter automatic transmissions may disappoint some fans of sporty driving, but it allows for a better driving experience for the greatest number of drivers, particularly in terms of comfort and everyday use.
WHAT FUTURE FOR BMW?
The demise of the manual transmission seems inevitable; we see fewer and fewer of these types of gearboxes on modern cars. Unfortunately, it's highly likely that the recent M2 will be the last BMW M with a manual gearbox. Expect to see an M2 Competition in a few years, a facelifted version in four years, an M2 CS at some point, and then a gradual reduction until the M2 reaches the end of its lifespan around 2030.
But here's the twist: the dual-clutch transmission is also meeting the same fate! Despite being so highly praised and appreciated by manufacturers for its instantaneous gear changes, it's currently not used in any BMW M cars, and it won't be making a comeback either. We could have guessed this when the M4 CSL arrived last year with the same eight-speed automatic transmission as the rest of the M3/M4 range. And now, Dirk Hacker, head of development at BMW M, has confirmed it.
"From BMW M's perspective, the dual-clutch transmission is a thing of the past," he said. "Now we have a choice between a manual or automatic transmission, and the automatic will be electrified in the future."
Why choose a torque converter automatic transmission over a dual-clutch transmission? "Around the M5, there was a lot of discussion, not only about the automatic transmission, but also about other aspects. The decision wasn't made solely for cost reasons, but also for comfort reasons. We received a lot of feedback from our customers regarding maneuvering, parking, the lack of wheel spin when you release the pedal, and so on."
In other words, the automatic transmission won out over the dual-clutch transmission because it is easier to use on a daily basis.
However, Hacker claims that "the torque converter automatic offers better performance than the dual-clutch transmission. In the M4 CSL, gear changes are faster, and besides, we also use this automatic transmission in the new M4 GTR race car." But let's be honest, those who have driven the latest M4 CSL and experienced the late downshifts and slight jolts on upshifts know that it's not as crisp, instantaneous, and satisfying to use as the dual-clutch transmission in the F80 M3 and other models.
THE END OF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION?
And what about electrifying the manual gearbox? "I think it could be done, but we won't," Hacker replies. So, the manual gearbox disappears with the M2? "It's not just a decision for BMW, it's also a decision for the suppliers."
If you look around, you'll see that the future of manual gearbox suppliers is bleak. So I'm not sure we'll have that option in the future. But when I talk about the future, I'm talking about a six- or seven-year timeframe.
The new M5 is expected to arrive next year. It's rumored to be a hybrid, though Hacker doesn't want to draw any comparisons with the poorly received Mercedes-AMG C63. But it's reasonable to assume it will have a similar technical setup to the XM, with a hybrid twin-turbo V8 powering all four wheels. We can forgive the automatic transmission in this case, but let's just hope it doesn't weigh 2.6 tons.
A NEW ERA
That's how it is. Your current M car, if you choose an M2 (or a 480 hp manual M3), can be equipped with a manual transmission. Your next M car will have an automatic transmission. The one after that will probably not even have a gear lever.
After naturally aspirated engines, it is therefore the manual gearbox that we will have to forget about in the future.
