BMW introduced the Automatic Sedan version of the E36 M3 in 1994. The M3 sedan was created in part to maintain a performance sedan as part of BMW's model lineup due to a gap between E34 M5 and E39 M5 production. Like all E36 M3s, European versions had more power than their North American counterparts. The European 3.0L inline six used between 1994 and 1995 produced 286hp, while the later 3.2L inline six produced 316hp. This contrasted with the North American variants, which used a 240hp 3.0L in 1995, which grew in 1996 to 3.2L without any significant increase in power, and only marginal increases in torque. Automatic equipped M3 cars were fitted with a 5 speed automatic gearbox, although an SMG version beame available in Europe starting in 1996. Production of the E36 BMW M3 Automatic sedan lasted until 1998. The following generation E46 M3 did not feature a sedan variant.