2027 BMW M3 Handschalter Breaks the Rules by Giving the CS a Manual
Key takeaways
- BMW says goodbye to the sixth-gen M3 with this lightweight, rear-drive CS that's also the only one to ever have three pedals.
- But BMW is breaking the mold by rebelling against its own tradition and finally giving the track-focused M3 CS three pedals and a six-speed manual transmission.
- Handschalter is German for "hand shift," so naturally, that's the only way this new M3 CS is configured.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
BMW says goodbye to the sixth-gen M3 with this lightweight, rear-drive CS that's also the only one to ever have three pedals.
View Photos BMWThe 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter is the brand's farewell to the sixth-gen M3, but there's something that makes this special edition extra special.The Handschalter is the first M3 CS with a manual transmission, and BMW also claims it's roughly 75 pounds lighter than the regular M3.The rear-drive stick-shift M3 CS will only be sold in the United States, and it'll carry a $108,450 starting price.Germans are generally known as rule followers. But BMW is breaking the mold by rebelling against its own tradition and finally giving the track-focused M3 CS three pedals and a six-speed manual transmission. Enter the 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter, a limited-production special edition that's both a purist's delight and a send-off to the six-generation M3.
Handschalter is German for "hand shift," so naturally, that's the only way this new M3 CS is configured. Not only is the Handschalter the first M3 CS ever offered with a stick shift, but its all-wheel-drive system is swapped for a pure rear-drive setup. However, unlike the AWD, automatic-equipped M3 CS, which features a 543-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six, the RWD Handschalter has the same 473-hp version of that engine as the regular manual-transmission M3. Still, BMW claims the hand-shifted CS can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, and if you keep your foot glued to the floor, the sports sedan will top out at 180 mph.