One transmission option is available when purchasing a new 2006 BMW M5: the seven-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox, or SMG. A six-speed manual will be offered in fall of 2006 for those that prefer a standard manual transmission. The M5’s SMG was developed for this car from scratch and features quick shifts plus a variety of automated and sequential Drivelogic modes. In the sequential shift manual mode, there are six programs to choose from that take the shifts from soft and slow to hard and quick. In automated mode, five programs can change the shift dynamics from mild to wild depending on your preference. BMW also incorporated special functions into the transmission for added safety and functionality. These features include automatic downshifts to first gear whether in D or S mode, over-rev protection that ignores bad shifts by the driver, slip control that disengages the clutch for a split second to prevent wheel slippage on a slippery surface, start-off assist that keeps the car from rolling back on a hill for one second after the brakes are released, hill detection that modifies shift points in D-mode when gradients are detected, and double clutching in D or S modes to achieve smooth downshifts that mimic the heel-and-toe method.