BMW brings two concepts, M3 tribute

BMW said on August 4 that it will use Monterey Car Week 2026 to stage the North American debuts of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse and the Vision BMW ALPINA, while also marking 40 years of the BMW M3. The program stretches across multiple Monterey Peninsula events, including Legends of the Autobahn, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, The Quail and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. BMW also said it will host an invitation-only Kith collaboration panel with founder and chief executive Ronnie Fieg. ### Which two BMW concepts are coming to Monterey? BMW said the two concept cars are the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse and the Vision BMW ALPINA. The company described both appearances as North American introductions rather than world premieres, with the M Concept Neue Klasse following its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Vision BMW ALPINA following its reveal at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. (press.bmwgroup.com) The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse previews what the company called the next era of BMW M, built around M-specific Neue Klasse technology and a quad-motor performance concept. The Vision BMW ALPINA is positioned as a design study tied to ALPINA’s grand-touring heritage, according to BMW and Yahoo’s summary of the Monterey program. (press.bmwgroup.com) ### Why are collectors focused on a manual M3 instead? Yahoo’s collector-focused coverage pointed readers past the concept debuts to the 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter, describing it as the car enthusiasts should watch. BMW said in a May 18 release that the limited-edition model pairs rear-wheel drive with a 6-speed manual transmission as a sendoff for the sixth-generation M3. (press.bmwgroup.com) BMW said the M3 CS Handschalter entered production in July and that deliveries will begin this fall. Yahoo described the model as manual-only and rear-drive-only, making it the three-pedal centerpiece in a week otherwise built around concepts, heritage displays and brand collaborations. (autos.yahoo.com) ### What is BMW doing for the M3’s 40th anniversary? BMW said it will celebrate four decades of the M3 with landmark road cars and race cars at Legends of the Autobahn and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The company has already used other 2026 concours events, including Amelia in March, to frame the anniversary as a year-long heritage program. (autos.yahoo.com) Yahoo reported that BMW plans to gather six generations of M3 under the anniversary banner at Legends of the Autobahn. That lineup includes the original 1986 E30, an E36 M3 Lightweight, an E46, an E9x-generation proof-of-concept tied to the Lime Rock Park Edition, an F82 M4 GTS and the current G80-generation M3 CS Handschalter. (press.bmwgroup.com) ### Where will BMW appear during the week? Yahoo said BMW’s Monterey schedule opens on Thursday, August 13, at Legends of the Autobahn in Pacific Grove. From there, the brand moves through Laguna Seca’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, appears at The Quail and finishes on the Concept Lawn at the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, August 16. (autos.yahoo.com) BMW said the week will also include a Kith for BMW event unveiling the fourth chapter of that collaboration, including a new collection and bespoke automobiles celebrating BMW’s past and present. Ronnie Fieg is set to appear on the panel, according to the company. (autos.yahoo.com) ### What should readers watch for next? August 13 is the first public checkpoint for BMW’s Monterey plan, when the M3 anniversary display opens at Legends of the Autobahn in Pacific Grove. August 16 is the scheduled Pebble Beach Concept Lawn appearance for the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse and the Vision BMW ALPINA, while BMW has said deliveries of the 2027 M3 CS Handschalter will begin in fall 2026. (press.bmwgroup.com)