Drive details M3 CS 'Handschalter' sendoff model

BMW on May 18 detailed the 2027 M3 CS Handschalter as a limited-edition sendoff for the sixth-generation M3, pairing the CS formula with a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. BMW said the car is the only M3 CS ever offered with a manual gearbox and will be built exclusively for North America. The automaker priced it at $107,100 plus $1,350 destination and handling, with production due to begin in July and deliveries expected in the fall. (press.bmwgroup.com) Drive reported the model will not be sold in Australia, framing it as an ultra-limited farewell edition for the current M3 generation. (press.bmwgroup.com) BMWBlog separately reported that G80 M3 production is expected to end in February 2027, citing comments from BMW M North America product manager Scott Stirling about the current car’s final model year. ### Why did BMW create a manual M3 CS now? BMW said the Handschalter was designed to mark “the close of the M3’s sixth generation” with a model focused on driver involvement. The formula is unusual for a CS-badged M3 because prior M3 CS versions were not offered with a manual transmission, while this one combines the lighter CS specification with a clutch pedal and rear-wheel drive. (press.bmwgroup.com) Scott Stirling told Bimmerlife, as quoted by BMWBlog, that the timing was driven by the G80’s production cycle. “Given the production cycles, this is the last model year of G80, so this was my only opportunity,” he said. ### What changed versus a standard M3? BMW said targeted lightweight measures cut nearly 75 pounds compared with a standard M3, or about 34 kilograms. (bmwblog.com) The company said the savings come from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic components, forged alloy wheels, a titanium muffler, standard M Carbon bucket seats and other measures; BMW added that the comparison is against a standard M3 fitted with optional M Carbon Ceramic brakes. The chassis also gets model-specific tuning. (press.bmwgroup.com) BMW said the car rides 6 millimeters lower and uses unique calibration for the chassis, steering, engine and gearbox to sharpen response. BMW’s U.S. materials list 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph with the standard M Driver’s Package. (bmwblog.com) ### Does the manual version lose anything in exchange? BMW said power comes from a 473-hp twin-turbo inline-six paired exclusively with the six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. That is lower than the automatic M3 CS output cited by BMWBlog, which said the standard CS setup makes 543 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. (press.bmwgroup.com) Autoblog and other U.S. outlets described the trade-off as a shift away from the usual all-wheel-drive, automatic CS template toward a more driver-focused configuration, but BMW’s own release stays with the hardware facts: manual only, rear-drive only, lighter weight and limited production. ### Who gets the car, and who does not? (press.bmwgroup.com) BMW said the Handschalter will be built exclusively for North America and in “very limited numbers.” BMW has not publicly given a total production figure in its U.S. release. Drive reported Australia will miss out on the model. BMWBlog said the car leaves the M3 line with one final manual variant before the G80 generation ends. (press.bmwgroup.com) ### What does this mean for BMW’s remaining manual M cars? BMWBlog reported the G80 M3 is expected to end production in February 2027 and said the 2027 M3 CS Handschalter will be the last manual M3 BMW builds. The same report said the next gasoline-powered M3, the G84, is due in summer 2028 and will not offer a manual, while the electric ZA0 also will not use a clutch pedal. (press.bmwgroup.com) BMW said the Handschalter will make its public debut at the All-BMW Petersen Cruise-In at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on May 23, with production starting in July and customer deliveries scheduled for the fall. (bmwblog.com) (press.bmwgroup.com)