2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter First Look: Manual-Only and America-Only
Key takeaways
- The M3 CS Handschalter blends CS hardware with a six-speed stick for enthusiasts who still want to work for speed.
- Americans might have a global reputation for laziness, but that doesn’t exactly jive with reality.
- ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWAvailable exclusively in North America, the M3 CS Handschalter is somehow the first M3 CS to ever be made with a manual transmission.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
The M3 CS Handschalter blends CS hardware with a six-speed stick for enthusiasts who still want to work for speed.
Americans might have a global reputation for laziness, but that doesn’t exactly jive with reality. Take the auto market for instance. American enthusiasts are the reason why automakers keep building performance cars with manual transmissions—transmissions that require coordination, strength, and a bit persistence and patience to use. The 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter—German for “hand switch” or “hand shift” depending on translation—is the latest in global concessions to the American enthusiast, offering up a lightweight and performance-focused M3 CS packaged with a six-speed manual transmission.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWAvailable exclusively in North America, the M3 CS Handschalter is somehow the first M3 CS to ever be made with a manual transmission. Its underlying parts are a mishmash of M3 and M CS components that make an enticing combination. From the M3 comes the powertrain: a 3.0-liter twin-turbo I-6 churning out 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, which drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual (duh) and an electronic limited slip rear-differential.