BMW breaks its own rules: the M3 CS gets three pedals for the first time

BMW unveils a 2027 M3 CS Handschalter for the US: six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, 473 hp, 0–60 mph in 4.1 s. From $108,450, deliveries this fall.

BMW has chosen an unusual way to say goodbye to the sixth-generation M3. The company has unveiled the M3 CS Handschalter — a limited 2027 special edition for the United States and the first M3 CS in history to come with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The name Handschalter is German for “hand shift,” and that isn’t just a marketing flourish: the car has three pedals, rear-wheel drive and no concessions to all-wheel drive. Unlike the all-wheel-drive M3 CS with its automatic and 543-hp inline-six, the new version uses a 473-hp engine — the same output as the standard manual M3.

The performance is still serious. The 0–60 mph sprint takes 4.1 seconds. Top speed is 180 mph, or roughly 290 km/h.

The Handschalter is about 75 pounds (around 34 kg) lighter than the standard M3, but only when you order the optional carbon-ceramic brakes. Further weight savings come from forged wheels, a titanium muffler and the standard M Carbon front bucket seats. An M front strut brace is available for $1,100 (about €1,010), and ultra-track tires can be added for $600 (around €550).

Visual cues that set this special edition apart from the regular M3 include a frameless grille, yellow daytime running lights, a carbon-fibre roof and carbon elements on the hood and inside the cabin. There are four exterior colours: Isle of Man Green and Black Sapphire come at no extra cost, while Imola Red and Techno Violet are priced at $4,500 — roughly €4,140.

Standard equipment includes keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, leather trim, heated front seats and a Harman Kardon audio system. A head-up display and power-operated trunk lid are part of the Daily Driver package.

Production of the BMW M3 CS Handschalter starts in July 2026. The build run will be “very limited,” though BMW isn’t revealing exact numbers. Pricing in the US starts at $108,450 (about €99,800), with first deliveries expected in the fall. For M fans, it is almost the perfect farewell formula: less weight, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox in an era when cars like this are disappearing fast.