BMW M will build the 2027 M3 CS Handschalter, a manual-transmission, rear-wheel-drive special edition that marks the end of the sixth-generation M3. The announcement, made today from Woodcliff Lake, confirms a base price of $107,100 plus $1,350 destination and handling. Production starts in July in very limited numbers, with deliveries expected this fall.
The Handschalter is the only M3 CS ever offered with a six-speed manual transmission. It pairs the lightweight carbon-fiber construction and track-oriented chassis tuning of BMW’s CS models with a drivetrain setup that hasn’t been a given in the M3 lineup for years. A 473-hp M TwinPower Turbo inline-six sends power exclusively to the rear wheels through the six-speed manual. The 0-60 sprint takes 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph when equipped with the standard M Driver’s Package.
The M3 family sold nearly 71,500 units in 2025, making it a volume product by M division standards. The CS Handschalter is positioned above the base M3, which starts at $80,650 including destination, though BMW has not disclosed how many examples it plans to build. The price differential is significant, but the spec sheet explains most of it: carbon-fiber roof, hood, front splitter, rear diffuser, and spoiler; M Carbon bucket seats; a titanium muffler; forged 19/20-inch wheels; and model-specific chassis tuning. Add the optional M Carbon Ceramic brakes and the weight savings reach nearly 75 pounds versus the standard M3.
The chassis tuning is specific to the Handschalter. New springs and a revised rear axle link drop ride height by six millimeters. Shock absorbers carried over from the M4 CSL pair with auxiliary springs tuned for the manual transmission’s weight distribution and torque delivery. M Servotronic steering calibration, axle kinematics, and wheel camber settings are all unique to this model. Standard M Drive Professional includes M Traction Control with ten stages of intervention sensitivity, M Drift Analyzer, and M Laptimer, which is either track-day infrastructure or marketing copy depending on how often you plan to run this car at an HPDE.
The exterior design follows the CS template: exposed carbon fiber on the roof, hood channels, front splitter, and rear spoiler. The frameless kidney grille wears red contour lines and an M3 CS badge. Angular daytime running lights illuminate in yellow rather than white during the unlock sequence and while driving, a visual reference to GT racing cars that will land differently depending on whether you find that sort of thing charming or trying too hard.
Four exterior finishes are offered. Isle of Man Green metallic and Black Sapphire metallic come at no charge. Two BMW Individual heritage colors drawn from 40 years of M3 history, Imola Red and Techno Violet metallic, add $4,500 each. Inside, the M Carbon bucket seats are finished in Anthracite Full Merino leather with Mugello Red accents. Standard equipment includes Comfort Access, dual-zone climate control, a Harman Kardon sound system, and heated, electrically adjustable seats. An optional Daily Driver Package adds a power trunk lid and head-up display, which suggests BMW expects some buyers to use this as more than a track toy stored under a cover.
The model will make its public debut at the All-BMW Petersen Cruise-In on May 23 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. If you have been waiting for BMW to build a manual, rear-wheel-drive CS before the M3 moves to its next generation, the calendar and the production run are both working against you.
Source: BMW. Images courtesy of BMW.
