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Two important developments have taken place at BMW this week, including one that could finally mark the entry of a high-performance luxury model from its Motorsport division. Before we move on to that, it seems like BMW has invited itself to a party that Porsche started. A patent filing was leaked showing BMW working on a seven-speed manual transmission. The first take is like a regular mechanism that uses a clutch pedal while the second variant reveals a shift-by-wire mechanism that shifts gears using an electromechanical actuator. An electromagnetic fluid inside a shifting module is relied upon to prevent drivers from damaging the gearbox by engaging the wrong gear. The viscosity of the fluid changes to stop the lever from engaging a shift. Meanwhile at the product development central, talks have reopened of a performance variant using the 7 Series. Coincidentally, along with a handful of other new names, BMW has trademarked the M7 name without revealing intentions. It is...