BMW to show two concept cars and a 40th‑anniversary M3 tribute at Monterey Car Week

BMW said on August 4 that it will use Monterey Car Week 2026 to stage two North American concept debuts, mark 40 years of the BMW M3 and show a new Kith collaboration across the Monterey Peninsula. The program, outlined by BMW Group in a U.S. press release, spans concept displays, heritage cars, motorsport appearances and brand events during the August 7-16 gathering. Yahoo Autos, citing the same program, said the detail most likely to catch collectors’ attention is a manual-transmission BMW with “three pedals.” The two concept cars are the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse and the Vision BMW ALPINA, according to BMW’s release. BMW said both will make their North American introductions during the week, adding to a schedule that also includes an M3 anniversary tribute and appearances tied to its fashion partnership with Kith founder Ronnie Fieg. (press.bmwgroup.com) ### Which two concept cars is BMW bringing? BMW named the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse and the Vision BMW ALPINA as the two concept vehicles in its Monterey lineup. The company said the cars will be shown as North American introductions, rather than global premieres, indicating both had been unveiled earlier elsewhere. The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse was previously presented as a preview of a future high-performance electric sedan related to BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, while the Vision BMW ALPINA was shown earlier this year as a design study for the ALPINA brand. (press.bmwgroup.com) Those prior reveals help explain why BMW is using Monterey as a U.S.-market stage for both cars. ### What is BMW doing for the M3 anniversary? BMW said Monterey will include a celebration of 40 years of the BMW M3. The company’s M3-focused press materials for the same August 4 announcement identify that display as “M3 Milestones,” linking the tribute to the model line’s four-decade run. (autos.yahoo.com) The anniversary matters because BMW is pairing heritage with a current limited-run model. BMW’s press materials say the BMW M3 CS Handschalter will appear as “a manual, rear-wheel-drive sendoff for the sixth-generation M3,” giving the anniversary display a present-day production hook as well as a historical one. ### What is the “three pedals” car Yahoo highlighted? (press.bmwgroup.com) Yahoo Autos said the car collectors should watch is the manual-transmission model in BMW’s program, describing it as having “three pedals.” BMW’s own materials identify that car as the BMW M3 CS Handschalter. BMW described the M3 CS Handschalter as a rear-wheel-drive farewell for the current sixth-generation M3. (press.bmwgroup.com) That makes it the most concrete production-car reveal in the lineup for buyers who are less focused on design studies and more interested in low-volume enthusiast hardware. ### Where will BMW show up during Monterey week? BMW said its Monterey schedule includes the Pebble Beach Concept Lawn and other events around the peninsula. (autos.yahoo.com) Yahoo Autos also pointed to Pebble Beach as part of the company’s plan for the week. (press.bmwgroup.com) Ronnie Fieg, the founder and chief executive of Kith, is also part of the program. BMW said it will host an invitation-only panel with Fieg to unveil the fourth chapter of the BMW-Kith collaboration, including a new collection and bespoke automobiles tied to BMW’s past and present. (press.bmwgroup.com) ### How big is Monterey Car Week this year? Monterey County is expecting more than 100,000 visitors and more than $130 million in spending during the 10-day event, according to KSBW. That broader backdrop helps explain why automakers and luxury brands use the week for concept debuts, collector-car announcements and invitation-only launches. (press.bmwgroup.com) Monterey Car Week runs from August 7 through August 16 on the Monterey Peninsula. BMW said its displays and events will unfold across that schedule, with the concept cars, M3 anniversary programming and Kith collaboration all part of its 2026 presence. (press.bmwgroup.com)