If 'Schadenfreude' can become a common word used in the English language, then can we try and get 'Handschalter' in, too, before it becomes sadly obsolete?
Handschalter is German for manual shift, and it's being used as a model name (actually a special pack name, really) for the BMW Z4. You can now spec your Z4 M40i with a six-speed manual gearbox and spend your days driving around practising both your heel-and-toe and how to pronounce Handschalter properly...
3.0-litre straight-six
To get a Handschalter pack on your Z4 M40i costs €98,330, which ain't cheap in anyone's language, but you do get the brilliant 340hp, 500Nm of torque 3.0-litre straight-six turbo petrol engine too, which may cushion the blow somewhat.
The Handschalter Pack also includes asymmetric allow wheels - light M-Sport items measuring 19 inches on the front axle and 20 inches on the rear.
The Z4 has become a bit of a forgotten model in the BMW range for many, but the Munich carmaker reports that at least those who do buy one do so properly - more than half of all Z4 buyers in Germany opt for the top-spec M40i six-cylinder model. Production of the Handschalter model will start in March of this year at the car's traditional home in Austria, where it's made on BMW's behalf by Magna-Steyr.
It's the only 'standard' BMW product right now to mix a manual with a six-cylinder engine as to get that combo with any other model, you'd have to buy an M-car such as the M2 Competition.
M-Performance parts
Mind you, the Z4 Handschalter is halfway to being an M-Car, being as it's an M-Performance model, and the new manual gearbox uses M-specific components for the gear set and shafts that have been modified for the straight-six engine's output.
According to BMW; "The direct flow of power between engine and transmission combined with the driver's central involvement in gear changes reinforces the emotional bond between driver and vehicle. A precisely defined shift action enables the gears to be changed swiftly and intuitively."
It is fractionally slower than the automatic versions, taking an extra 0.1 seconds (for a 4.6 seconds total) to reach 100km/h from rest. As standard, the Z4 M40i Handschalter gets variable sport steering, M Sport brakes and an M Sport differential at the rear axle along with adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers - the software for both the dampers and the steering has been retuned for the Handschalter to take account of any dynamic variations between it and the automatic version. The front anti-roll bar has been beefed up too, while the springs front and rear are new. Even the traction control and the M-differential have been retuned for what BMW calls: "sharper handling characteristics that will be appreciated by driving purists." Doesn't that sound just lovely?
Cognac leather seats
On the inside, as well as the obvious change of having a proper gear shifter in the middle of the car, there's Vernasca leather trim in Cognac with black M piping and dashboard trim in high-gloss black. There are digital instruments - BMW Live Cockpit Professional - fitted as standard and a 12-speaker Hardon/Kardon sound system to go with the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen.
The convertible roof, which can be optionally finished in Anthracite Silver, can be opened or closed in the space of ten seconds at the touch of a button while travelling at speeds up to 31km/h. A wind deflector, seat heating and two-zone automatic climate control also form part of the standard specification.