The BMW G20 3 Series has been around for almost a year now and the new model has been well received. The G22 4 Series is bound to show up in 2020 and there’s already plenty of excitement around it. The new Coupe should breathe live into the sales of the 4 Series range, especially since it promises a daring design and latest tech. But there might be a change that not many will like.
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According to sources, the new 4er could come without a manual gearbox. For the US, that’s almost certain at this point while non-US models are still being pondered. If there will be a manual on the books, it will only be available for entry-level versions of the G22 4 Series, like the 420d and 418d which will not make it stateside. Thus, European customers could get to enjoy changing their gears themselves.
The entry-level US model will be the 430i along with the all-wheel drive version, the 430i xDrive. There will also be an M Performance model on the books, in the shape of the M440i xDrive, with the same specs as the M340i xDrive. That’s 382 HP and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque to have fun with. We still don’t know whether BMW will offer a rear-wheel drive for the M340i M Performance model.
The new 4 Series is set to launch in July 2020 and along with a large kidney grille at the front, it will also bring a stylish coupe line and a different rear-end to further differentiates itself from the 3 Series. It will also get all the new tech the 3 Series has on board and a similar interior design. Chances are the new G22 4 Series will also be a better handling car and, of course, the enthusiasts’ choice when it comes to driving pleasure.
We expect the US market to start receiving their first models in the second half of 2020.
RIP my all time favorite BMW model…
BMW FAIL.
Who cares? Manuals do not sell, bottom line. No one has made a car with manually set engine timing for decades, nor manual engine cranks for even longer. It just does not matter.
There will never be any manual transmissions on electric cars either. Boo Hoo!
Why would it? The G20 has no manual option, so I’d fully expect this generic-looking blob to be two-pedals-only. My manual F30 335i is running just fine, thanks, no I’m not interested in the new 3er I tell the dealer guys who call me once a month…
As much as I reminisce the purity of the connection from driver to drivetrain to the road, I accept the realization that the manual transmission is of a bygone era where vehicles emerged as mechanical works of art.
In today’s day and age, there are no more “mechanics” by trade, they’ve evolved to become systems technicians and code debuggers.
To Millenials and Gen Z, the E Chassis codes are irrelevant. In fact, for many, the idea of car ownership has become viewed as an ordeal that must be dealt with. The concept of mobility has changed. Robotaxis and ridesharing more than fulfill the needs of the masses where they view getting from point A to B as the only thing that matters.
I only hope the concept of man and machine versus the open road is a concept that will linger long enough for us to continue to enjoy what we endear, even after the spirit of driving has become “retro”.
In short……….people just got lazy…….