2025 BMW Z4 M40i: Manual Gearbox, Sporty “Handschalter” Package, New Paint Colors & More

2025 BMW Z4 M40i Summary Points

• The BMW Z4 M40i is finally available with a manual gearbox for the 2025 model year!

• The six-speed manual is part of the “Handschalter” package, which also includes bespoke chassis and suspension tuning, staggered wheels, and black exterior trim.

• Will arrive at dealerships in Q2 2024.

2025 BMW Z4 M40i Powertrain

The BMW Z4 M40i is launching with an available six-speed manual gearbox, which couldn’t have come at a better time! The Z4’s Toyota GR Supra 3.0 platform-mate got its ZF-sourced manual gearbox for the 2023 model year, and it’s high time the Z4 got a stick of its own.

The BMW Z4 M40i’s turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is pairable with the custom-developed six-speed manual gearbox for the first time. The standard transmission remains an eight-speed Steptronic automatic, but nothing beats a manual for purists of open-top sports cars. The engine produces 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque, all of which goes exclusively to the rear wheels.

The new Z4’s modular six-speed manual features M-specific shafts, bespoke gear sets, and an optimized shift lever to deliver that luscious mechanical shifting feel as you crash through the gates.

As you might expect from any M vehicle, the 2025 BMW Z4 M40i is standard with variable steering, M Sport brakes, an M Sport differential, and an adaptive M suspension with electronic dampers.

How Fast Is a Manual BMW Z4 M40i?

An automatic Z4 M40i should hit 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds, which is pretty decent for a two-seat drop-top coupe. However, BMW said the six-speed manual takes 4.2 seconds to hit 60 mph, while the top speed remains unbothered at 155 mph.

BMW Z4 Handschalter Package

The Z4 M40i’s manual transmission is part of what BMW calls the “Handschalter” (German for “hand shift”) package.

Opting for the package adds custom-tuned front and rear springs, a reinforced front anti-roll bar, model-specific software mapping for the rear dampers, variable sport steering, an M sport differential, and a traction control system.

The Handschalter package also includes styling updates like staggered 19-inch front and 20-inch rear M light-alloy wheels, red brake calipers, and gloss black exterior