The BMW M3 turns 40 this year and, unlike me, it’s still going fast in middle age!
But in all seriousness, it’s four decades of being the car that every talented engineer and ambitious product developer at every rival company quietly wishes they were allowed to create. Cadillac drew this comparison when developing the ATS-V. Alfa Romeo compared it while developing it Giulia Quadrifoglio. The Ford Mustang even went after the M3 when the 5.0-liter debuted for the 2011 model year.
For 40 years, the M3 has been the champion that everyone wants to put in the ring.
Now BMW is closing the book on the sixth generation of that car, and the way they’re doing it speaks volumes for what the M3 means to the people who build, buy and drive it.
The 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter is a limited-edition, rear-wheel drive, six-speed auto. mechanical performance sedan Built for North America. It’s the only M3 CS ever offered with a manual transmission, and depending on what happens next, it could be the last manual M3 ever made.
What does “Handschalter” mean and why is it important?
One word tells the whole story
Handschalter is the German word for manual transmission, and BMW didn’t necessarily have to use the term. They could have called it the M3 CS Special Edition, M3 CS Track, M3 CS Max, or any number of other names.
The choice of Handschalter was a deliberate nod to BMW’s use of the name on the Z4 M40i Handschalter before it. The car’s most distinctive feature is in its name, and BMW wants you to know that as you fly down the road.
Some whispers and rumors suggest that the next-generation M3 will be introduced in 2028 only as an xDrive with an automatic transmission. BMW has already announced where the 3 Series is headed all new electric i3and if the M3 follows the same trajectory, the CS Handschalter could be the last chance to get an all-new, factory M3 manual.
The engine that won the Daytona
Now in your driveway
Beneath the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic hood is BMW’s S58 inline-six with M TwinPower Turbo technology that produces 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft. torque. It’s the same engine architecture that powered the M4 GT3 Evo to a class win at this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona with a 3D printed cylinder head. allows for refrigerant routing this cannot be achieved with conventional casting.
With the standard M Driver Package, the result is a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph.
The CS Handschalter is also the lightest M3 available. Purposeful use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic for the roof, hood, front splitter, mirror caps, rear diffuser and rear spoiler, along with a titanium muffler, reduce weight by about 75 pounds. of the car compared to the standard M3 when the optional M Carbon Ceramic brakes are installed (those brakes save an additional 31.5 pounds over the standard M Compound units).
The ride height is six millimeters lower than the standard M3, thanks to new springs and a new rear axle linkage. The shock absorbers are taken from the M4 CSL, which hard drivers will likely appreciate. Chassis tuning, steering calibration and electronic settings are unique to the Handschalter’s unique weight distribution and rear-wheel drive platform.
- What’s Included
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Windshield assembly
- Radar band detection
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X, K, Ka
The Uniden R8 is a dual-antenna radar detector with directional arrows known for its long-range detection and false-alarm filtering capabilities. Comes pre-loaded with red light and speed camera locations and supports firmware updates for continuous performance improvements.
Built for the track, it’s good for living on the road
M Drive Professional, ultra-track tires and heated seats
BMW includes M Drive Professional as standard, which includes the M Drift Analyzer, M Laptimer and M Traction Control systems. Standard forged alloy wheels are finished in Golden Bronze or black, and for $600 an optional set of what BMW calls “ultra-track tires” can be added.
Away from the track, the CS Handschalter does not require its drivers to give up comfort and convenience, as dual-zone automatic climate control, a Harman Kardon stereo and forward collision warning are standard. M Carbon bucket seats are heated, finished in Anthracite Full Merino leather with CS-exclusive Mugello Red accents.
An optional Daily Driver Package adds a power trunk and head-up display for those looking to add a few extras along with their track credentials.
Prices, colors and availability
The 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter will be available exclusively for the North American market, with a starting price of $108,450, including a $1,350 destination and handling fee. Production begins in July, deliveries are expected in the fall.
Four exteriors are available: Isle of Man Green and Black Sapphire (both metallic) are offered for free. Two BMW Individual variants, Imola Red and Techno Violet metallic, are available for an additional $4,500.
The CS Handschalter will be unveiled to the public on May 23 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The announcement is scheduled for 10:00 AM Pacific.
