BMW is giving up on the dual-clutch transmission (DCT), but will still offer manual transmissions in several models at least until the end of the decade. This news was recently confirmed by Dirk Hacker, BMW M’s head of development.

Research and user experience have shown that today’s classic automatic transmissions are a better and more comfortable solution for everyday use in different conditions.

The first model that will not use a dual-clutch transmission is the new generation BMW M5, which will arrive soon. Power will be transmitted through an 8-speed automatic transmission that was already offered with the current M2, M3 and M4 CSL models. Hacker also stressed that DCT transmissions will likely still be available for some BMW models, but not the M-badged ones.

The BMW M5 is still in the development and testing phase, and its arrival is expected early next year. Although there is not much information about the performance of this model, some rumors say that the new generation could be a hybrid, mentioning a combination of a twin-turbo V8 engine and a single electric motor with a total output of 644 hp (474 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque in the entry version, and 738 hp (543 kW) and 737 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) in the XM Red Label model. As a reminder, the current BMW M5 is powered by a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine with 617 hp (454 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque.

Gallery:

Source: BMW