BMW brings 40-year 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 spans Legends of the Autobahn in Pacific Grove, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca, The Quail, and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, according to the company. Yahoo Autos reported that the collector-focused car in the lineup is the 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter, a manual-only, rear-drive-only special edition that BMW confirmed earlier this year. BMW said the week will also include an invitation-only Kith collaboration event with founder and chief executive Ronnie Fieg. ### Which BMWs are actually new at Monterey? BMW said the two concept cars making North American debuts are the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse and the Vision BMW ALPINA. The M Concept Neue Klasse previously made its world premiere at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while the Vision BMW ALPINA was first shown at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the company said. (press.bmwgroup.com) The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse is a fully electric performance study with a quad-motor setup and M-specific Neue Klasse technology, BMW said. The Vision BMW ALPINA is presented as a design study that reworks ALPINA's grand-touring heritage for BMW's current design language, according to BMW and Yahoo Autos. (press.bmwgroup.com) ### Why is the manual M3 getting more attention than the concepts? The 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter is the model Yahoo Autos singled out for collectors because it keeps a three-pedal layout. BMW said on May 18 that the car is a limited-edition sendoff for the sixth-generation M3 and combines a 6-speed manual transmission with rear-wheel drive, lightweight CS hardware and track-focused chassis tuning. (press.bmwgroup.com) BMW said production of the M3 CS Handschalter began in July 2026 and deliveries are due this fall. Yahoo Autos described the car as manual-only and rear-drive-only, arguing that it is the most collector-relevant part of BMW's Monterey plan even though it sits outside the headline concept reveals. (autos.yahoo.com) ### What does BMW mean by a 40-year M3 tribute? BMW said the M3 anniversary display will bring landmark road cars and race cars to Legends of the Autobahn and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The company has tied 2026 to 40 years of the M3 in multiple events this year, including its Amelia Concours program in March. (autos.yahoo.com) Yahoo Autos reported that the Monterey lineup includes six generations of M3 under the 40th-anniversary banner. The publication listed the original 1986 E30, an E36 M3 Lightweight, an E46, an E9x-generation proof-of-concept for the Lime Rock Park Edition, an F82 M4 GTS and the current G80-generation M3 CS Handschalter. (press.bmwgroup.com) ### Where do the concepts fit in BMW's broader M strategy? The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse points to BMW's electric performance direction. BMW said the concept previews "the next era of BMW M" through advanced vehicle control and a quad-motor performance concept. (autos.yahoo.com) The M3 remains the bridge between BMW's heritage display and its future product planning. Yahoo Autos noted that the M Concept Neue Klasse gives a look at where the M3 nameplate may be headed, while BMW is simultaneously using Monterey to showcase a manual, rear-drive special edition rooted in the current gasoline-powered generation. That contrast is an inference from the two presentations BMW is making side by side at the event. (press.bmwgroup.com) ### Where and when can people see the cars? Yahoo Autos said BMW's Monterey schedule opens on Thursday, August 13, at Legends of the Autobahn in Pacific Grove, then continues through Laguna Seca's Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, The Quail, and the Pebble Beach Concept Lawn on Sunday, August 16. BMW said the concepts and anniversary cars will be displayed across the Monterey Peninsula during Car Week. (autos.yahoo.com) BMW said the Kith for BMW event will unveil the fourth chapter of its collaboration with Ronnie Fieg, including a new collection and bespoke automobiles. The public-facing portion of the program, however, centers on the concept debuts, the M3 anniversary display and the appearance of the M3 CS Handschalter during Monterey Car Week, which begins August 13. (press.bmwgroup.com) (autos.yahoo.com)