BMW Z4 M40i Now Available as a 6-Speed “Handschalter”

WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ (January 30, 2024) – Fans of driving pleasure in its purest form can look forward to a new arrival from BMW crafted especially for them: the 2025 BMW Z4 M40i is available for the very first time with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The pairing of the manual gearbox with the 382-hp TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine forms the heart of an enticing equipment package that emphasizes the two-seater’s focus on delivering an exhilarating open-top driving experience.

The 2025 BMW Z4 M40i “Handschalter” (German for “hand shift” and the internal working name of the project used by the small team that brought the vehicle to life) brings a retuned chassis and mixed-size M light-alloy wheels measuring 19 inches at the front axle and 20 inches at the rear. Special design features for both the exterior and interior are also part of the package.

The BMW roadster: giving a successful tradition a modern twist
The history of roadsters from BMW is built on a passion for sporty driving pleasure and success on the race track. It stretches all the way back to the company’s earliest days as a carmaker and endures in modern form in the shape of the BMW Z4.

An inline 6-cylinder engine, manual gearbox, and rear-wheel drive defined the driving experience in the original BMW 328, which capped its debut public appearance in 1936 with victory in the Eifelrennen race at the Nürburgring. In later generations, evolutions of this arrangement have continued to power the brand’s roadsters; the BMW Z1, which was unveiled in 1987 after being developed as an innovation testbed by BMW Technik, and the BMW Z3 presented in 1995. And the first two generations of the BMW Z4 also embodied the same recipe for delivering exhilarating driving pleasure under open skies.

A classic combination: six cylinders and a 6-speed manual gearbox
The 3-liter unit in the BMW Z4 M40i owes its free-revving performance, instantaneous power delivery, and silky smoothness to the latest M TwinPower Turbo technology. With 382 hp on tap between 5,800 and 6,500 rpm, and of 369 lb-ft of torque available between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm, the engine generates impressive acceleration throughout the rev range.

Now, in addition to the familiar 8-speed Steptronic transmission, the task of transmitting that power to the road can be handled by a 6-speed manual gearbox developed specifically for the BMW Z4 M40i. It is a BMW modular transmission that has been modified for the B58B30O1 engine’s output, incorporating M-specific components for the gear set and shafts. The outer shift mechanism comprising the shift lever, its guide, and the connection to the transmission, has been specially engineered for use in the BMW Z4 M40i and delivers the mechanical feel for which BMW manuals have been praised. The direct flow of power between engine and transmission combined with the driver’s central involvement in gear changes reinforces the visceral bond between driver and vehicle. A precisely defined shift action enables the gears to be changed swiftly and intuitively.

The manual-equipped BMW Z4 M40i can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds, on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.

Refined chassis tuning, mixed-size wheels for the first time on the BMW Z4
Variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, an M Sport differential at the rear axle, and adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers all remain standard equipment on the Z4 M40i regardless of the gearbox chosen. However, those who opt for the manual gearbox benefit from unique chassis tuning intended to sharpen responses and elevate the overall driving experience. Exclusive chassis technology created for the manual option includes unique auxiliary springs at the front and rear axles and a specially reinforced anti-roll bar clamp fitted at the front. Both the mapping for electronic control of the rear dampers and the software for the variable sport steering have been reconfigured. Finally, the traction control and M Sport differential incorporate model-specific control logic.

For the first time, staggered-size wheels and tires are fitted to the Z4 M40i when the manual gearbox is chosen. The new bi-color M light-alloy wheels in a double-spoke design measure 19 inches at the front axle and 20 inches at the rear. Previously reserved for high-performance models from BMW M GmbH, this setup enables optimum transfer of drive power to the road while providing a progressive and predictable transmission of lateral forces in hard cornering.

Individual colors and trim set the special edition Z4 apart
In addition to the manual gearbox, the refined chassis tuning, and the combination of 19-inch and 20-inch M light-alloy wheels, the “Handschalter” package also adds distinct design features to the exterior of the BMW Z4 M40i as part of the deal. They include Extended Shadowline black high-gloss exterior trim on the exterior mirror caps, badging, and specially designed flaps for managing the airflow around the rear wheel arches, as well as red callipers for the M Sport brakes.

Included in the price of the package is the customer’s choice of metallic paints including San Remo Green metallic, which is offered only on the manual version. Also available exclusively on the manual-equipped Z4 M40i is BMW Individual Frozen Deep Green metallic, offered at a special package price.

Inside, customers who opt for the manual transmission can also choose from five shades of  Vernasca leather upholstery at no additional charge, including Cognac with unique black M piping complemented by interior trim in black high-gloss. Black Alcantara combined with Black Vernasca leather with blue contrast stitching is also available as part of the package.

Package contents:

• 6-speed manual transmission
• Vernasca leather upholstery in choice of five shades
  • Cognac/Black with Black M piping unique to manual version
  • Black Alcantara / Black Vernasca leather combination or Black SensaTec also available
• Metallic paint in choice of seven shades or Alpine White non-metallic
  • San Remo Green metallic only available on manual transmission version
  • Exclusive BMW Individual Frozen Deep Green metallic available for $2,950
• 19-inch front / 20-inch rear wheel and tire packgae
• Extended Shadowline trim and mirror caps in black high-gloss
• Unique chassis tuning

Package MSRP:  $3,500

Specifications: