Few performance cars still reward a driver for working the gearbox, and the BMW M3 Manual may be the last of its kind in America. Production has been extended to late summer 2027. That is not marketing theater. It is a hard deadline.
Why The BMW M3 Manual Matters
Most performance rivals have surrendered the third pedal to dual-clutch automatics. Even so, a stick-shift Toyota Tacoma proves some manufacturers still respect driver involvement. Against that backdrop, the BMW M3 Manual becomes a genuine enthusiast relic.
Its successors will not offer a clutch pedal. Our sources have been consistent that the next combustion M3 will be automatic-only. Meanwhile, the electric ZA0 M3 chases a completely different philosophy.
| ⚙️Engine / Powertrain | 3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-Six |
| 🐎Power Output | 473 HP |
| ⚡Peak Torque | 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) |
| ⏱️0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) | 0-60 mph in 3.9s (est.) |
| 🚀Top Speed | 180 mph (290 km/h) (est.) |
| 🔄Drivetrain / Gearbox | 6-Speed Manual / RWD |
| 💰Starting Price / Est. | $79,300 before destination (base manual) |
473 Horses And A Clutch Pedal
Base cars pack a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six making 473 hp, routed to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual. BMW’s official lineup lists the base car at $79,300 before a $1,350 destination charge. The automatic-only Competition climbs to $83,500 with rear-wheel drive and $88,600 with xDrive.
Waiting Will Cost You The Stick
Waiting gets you nothing equivalent. The i3 beats the i4 on range and power, and the G67 X7 aims higher than the outgoing G07, but neither answers the question of a third pedal. Ordering a BMW M3 Manual now is the only way to guarantee that connection.
Expect clean, low-mileage examples to command a premium on the used market. Enthusiasts will hunt them down the way they chase any last-of-breed machine. For more on the vanishing stick shift, visit Auto News Magazine.
Dominic Cross
Luxury & 4x4 Correspondent at Auto News Magazine. Authoritative reviewer of ultra-luxury flagships, bespoke coachbuilding, aftermarket tuning houses, and heavy-duty overland vehicles.
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