BMW M does not give up rear-wheel drive or manual gearboxes

Although BMW has moved from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive and automatic transmissions, the models that form part of the BMW M family, especially the smaller ones, will remain true to their essence. This means that they can still be chosen with rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, because according to the brand, “it is what customers want.”

Recently, Markus Flasch, President of BMW M, confirmed in an interview what the whole automotive sector was already talking about. “The next BMW M3 will have a rear-wheel-drive version with a manual gearbox.”

“With the BMW M3, we were able to take on the entire transmission concept offered on the BMW M5, and we were also able to make a rear-wheel-drive version with a manual transmission,” he said. “I will not reveal today what the configuration of these systems will be, but we can do what the markets demand globally. I cannot confirm, but I have gotten behind the wheel of the cars.”

The President of BMW M also wanted to explain why the larger models in the high-performance family need all-wheel drive, while the smaller and lighter ones do not. It all comes down to the details: while those who buy a BMW M5 or an BMW X5 M will very likely use it every day, those who acquire a BMW M2, an BMW M3 or an BMW M4 aim to “take them out when the weather is good, on special occasions.”

It is important to note that Flasch himself has commented that users who buy a BMW M2, a BMW M3 or a BMW M4 tend to own more than one car, which is why they choose rear-wheel drive and manual gearboxes.

CS, GTS or CSL, will we see any special version of the BMW M3?

Markus Flasch has confirmed that the CS version will be available on the BMW M3 2020, but that users will not be able to choose a GTS version, like the one that has become one of the most sought-after models on the market: the BMW M3 E92 GTS. In addition, BMW could bring back the CSL trim.

“We will see more limited editions, especially like the CS, and I imagine, the CSL. We will not do this for all cars, but I would dare say we do not have to limit ourselves to coupés either. I can imagine that CS and other special versions will also appear. We will not see the GTS sub-brand in the future. There will be CS and perhaps CSL. There will not be a GTS in parallel with the CSL.”

The obvious expansion of the product could extend to all kinds of models in the sporting division of BMW, and although there is a clear idea of what some of them will be, such as the BMW M8, Flasch’s statements also reveal things that users should not expect. The BMW 1 Series and the BMW X2 will not have an M version, and the same will apply to the new BMW Z4, since it would be very difficult to fit a large engine into it.