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The R&D was virtually nill. It's an off the shelf ZF unit with a rear diff from one of their other cars. Before this announcement, BMW was set to drop manuals entirely as it was being dropped from the 2-series.

I love that they're doing this. Yeah, the take rate will be low still but the people who want a manual have another option. More options are better for the consumer. My assistant manager currently drives a manual, convertible 370Z. It's been having all sorts of problems lately and she wants to replace it (yes, she). Her problem is she wants another manual, convertible, 2 seater. She doesn't want a Mustang or Camaro(no need for a back seat and she just doesn't want either) and there just isn't much else out there anymore without spending an arm and a leg. I'd still wager this is way more than she'd like to spend but this is exactly what she's wanting. When her and I were talking about this a few weeks ago, my first thought was Supra or this but there was no convertible supra and no manual BMW Z. There's no convertible Nissan Z. She also just doesn't want a Miata. She's fine with small/sporty cars but the Miata is too small for her.

?I wonder how many they will really sell; will it even be enough to justify the R&D that went into the manual tranny. I just do not see many people really wanting a manual.