BMW Confirms 6-Speed Manual Transmission for the 2013 M5.

Detroit, MI – January 9, 2011…On the occasion of the North American International Auto Show, BMW confirmed today that it will offer a 6-speed manualtransmission on the North American version of the upcoming 2013 BMW M5. The 6-speed manual will be available from the start of production this summer and will be offered as a no-cost alternative to the standard 7-speed M-Double Clutch Transmission (DCT). The manual gearbox was a popular choice for U.S. customers of the previous generation M5 and continues to be a unique offer in the segment.


Though the 6-speed gearbox has one less gear than the M-DCT transmission, the ratios have been optimized for acceleration, flexibility and fuel economy. Final drive ratio and special M Active differential are maintained. The new transmission is mated to a short throw shift linkage topped with a black leather backlit shift knob.


The 2013 M5 will arrive at US BMW Centers in late summer 2012. Pricing, options and specifications will be released closer to the on-sale date.

Along with the M3 M Performance Edition models, BMW has also released a teaser video and photos of the new limited BMW M5 M Performance Edition models - for the UK. The centerpiece of each M5 M Performance Edition model is the Frozen (matte) paint, which will include Frozen Blue, Frozen Red, and Frozen White. Only ten units of each color will be produced, for a total of just 30 cars.

The next-generations of BMW’s M5 and M6 products will come fitted exclusively with automatic transmissions, one of the automaker’s top engineers has revealed.

BMW currently offers the M5 with a manual transmission and the M6 will soon sprout a third pedal, but that will mark the end of manual transmissions in both cars. The take rate for manual gearboxes has dipped below profitable levels, meaning the next M5 and M6 will only be available with dual-clutch transmissions.

“Last year, maybe 15-20 percent of our M5s in the U.S. were manuals and maybe this year it will be 15 percent. It’s declining,” Albert Biermann, M’s head of engineering, told Inside Line.

The United States is the only market that gets manual versions of either car.

Biermann points to the high cost of development for the extinction of the manual transmission in the M5 and M6. Although cheaper to build than a dual-clutch unit, manual transmissions require extra engineering work, making them more costly to produce than their automatic counterparts.

“Theoretically the stick is cheaper, but it’s very low volumes and we have to strengthen everything in the gearbox and find space for the shifter and another pedal, so it doesn’t work out cheaper,” Biermann said.

Although manual versions of the M5 and M6 are riding off into the sunset, Biermann says BMW will continue to produce manual versions of the M3. “The M3 needs to have a stick shift. It will always have a stick shift,” he said.

Although manual versions of the M5 and M6 are riding off into the sunset, Biermann says BMW will continue to produce manual versions of the M3. “The M3 needs to have a stick shift. It will always have a stick shift,” he said.

Although manual versions of the M5 and M6 are riding off into the sunset, Biermann says BMW will continue to produce manual versions of the M3. “The M3 needs to have a stick shift. It will always have a stick shift,” he said.

In addition to the added package, the 2013 M5 was also equipped with a Sakhir Orange leather interior, 20-inch M light alloy wheels, Bang and Olufsen sound system and a sweet Piano Finish Black trim.The Alpine White model based at $89,900 and the add-ons, including Jersey's $1,300 gas guzzler tax brought that price up significantly. The sedan returns 16mpg combined (14 city/20 highway) and runs on a 560-horsepower 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8. The new M5 can sprint from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds and reach an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. The photos come from M5Post and show the terrific new BMW M5 in all of its red-bowtied glory posing upon delivery. The photographer also snapped another pair of M5s at the show that will be delivered sometime next week