The Manual BMW Z4 Is Finally Here

We’d pretty much given up hope of a manual gearbox ever finding a home in the BMW Z4 M40i. The extremely closely related Toyota Supra got the option for a six-speed stick shift for its B58 early in 2022, yet there had barely been a murmur of it finding a home in the German convertible. However, the time has come.

As of today, the special edition Z4 M40i Handschalter Pack has joined the line-up and arrives as your only way to get the sports car with a six-speed manual (unless you’re in markets with the base-spec 20i). In case you haven’t Googled it already, Handschalter translates as ‘manual switch’ – apt indeed.

BMW Z4 M40i, manual gearstick

Power remains the same as the auto M40i, with 335bhp and 369lb ft of torque sent to the rear wheels. Naturally, the 0-62mph sprint takes a touch longer at 4.6 seconds – one-tenth slower than the ZF torque converter-equipped car.

Beyond swapping out the gearbox the Handschalter Pack brings with it a slightly retuned chassis and staggered alloy wheel sizes, now measuring 19 inches on the front axle and 20 inches at the rear.

BMW Z4 M40i Handschalter Pack, side

Oh, and you better like green on tan if you’re keen on a manual Z4. You’ll only be able to spec it with Frozen Deep Green paint and with a Cognac leather interior. It does come with a £3k premium over the auto version too at £60,675. Order now and you should expect your car to arrive sometime in Spring.

It becomes the second M-branded car with a manual in BMW’s current line-up, alongside the M2. The US gets a six-speed in the M3 and M4, but we’ve never been blessed with those on our shores.

BMW Z4 M40i Handschalter Pack, rear

On that point, BMW has also just refreshed the M4 line-up which sees the coupe make the switch to xDrive all-wheel-drive as the sole option. You’ll still be able to get a rear-driven M3 for the time being, but for how much longer, we’re unsure.