The M3 CS Handschalter is a unique M3 CS model with an American-inspired design. It combines the chassis and mechanical components of the M3 and M CS models and offers a six-speed manual transmission. The manual transmission, exclusive to this model, allows enthusiasts to experience the traditional coordination and persistence required in manual transmissions, known for their appeal in the American auto market.
The M3 CS Handschalter blends CS hardware with a six-speed stick for enthusiasts who still want to work for speed. Americans might have a global reputation for laziness, but that doesn’t exactly jive with reality.
Take the auto market for instance. American enthusiasts are the reason why automakers keep building performance cars with manual transmissions—transmissions that require coordination, strength, and a bit persistence and patience to use. The 2027CS Handschalter—German for “hand switch” or “hand shift” depending on translation—is the latest in global concessions to the American enthusiast, offering up a lightweight and performance-focused M3 CS packaged with a six-speed manual transmission.
Available exclusively in North America, the M3 CS Handschalter is somehow the first M3 CS to ever be made with a manual transmission. Its underlying parts are a mishmash of M3 and M CS components that make an enticing combination. From the M3 comes the powertrain: a 3.0-liter twin-turbo I-6 churning out 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, which drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual and an electronic limited slip rear-differential.
Why not the more powerful 550-hp and 479-lb-ft I-6? Because the manual can’t handle more power, BMW says. Besides, it should still be quick enough—BMW is estimating a 3.8 second 0–60-mph time , which should put it about 1.1 seconds behind the last all-wheel-drive M3 Competition we tested. There’s a grab bag of other features from other CS products that have found their way onto the M3 CS Handschalter, too.
Aside from aesthetics inside and out, the M3 CS Handschalter sports the same weight loss regimen as other CS models , theThough those dampers are shared, the actual suspension tune is unique to the M3 CS Handschalter. Losing the AWD system’s front driveshaft allowed BMW engineers to drop the car’s suspension by nearly a quarter of an inch, lowering the center of gravity for improved dynamic performance.
Camber adjustments, and M3 CS Handschalter specific tunes for the electronic adaptive suspension and rear e-diff controller round out the package. Optional extras include carbon ceramic brakes, a front strut brace, and track-focused tires, plus creature comforts like a head-up display and a power trunk lid. While we’ve yet to drive the Handschalter, we sat in the driver’s seat and rode shotgun for a lap around Willow Springs’ Streets circuit.
From the driver’s seat the manual felt like it had BMW’s typical long-travel clutch and notchy but still somehow satisfying shift feel, although we’ll see how that impression holds up once we’re allowed to turn the car on. From the passenger seat during our hot lap, the car felt well-balanced and eager to change direction.
Gear ratios appeared on the longer side, which is typical of our experience with, allowing race driver Samantha Tan, our pilot for the day, to take advantage of the torquey engine and focus more on the lap instead of shifting. Priced at $108,450 to start and limited to fewer than 1,000 examples, the M3 CS Handschalter will sit briefly atop the M3 lineup for 2027. Production in Germany begins now, with the first cars hitting dealers stateside by fall.
Get the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox! I generally like writing—especially when it’s about cars—but I hate writing about myself.
So instead of blathering on about where I was born or what type of cars I like , I’ll answer the one question I probably get most, right after what’s your favorite car : How’d you get that job? Luck. Well, mostly. Hard work, too.
Lots of it. I sort of fell into my major of journalism/mass communication at St. Bonaventure University and generally liked it a lot. In order to complete my degree senior year, we had to spend our last two semesters on some sort of project. Seeing as I loved cars and already spent a good portion of my time reading about cars on sites such as Motor Trend, I opted to create a car blog.
I started a Tumblr, came up with a car-related name , signed up for media access on a bunch of manufacturer’s websites, and started writing. I did everything from cover new trim levels to reviewing my friends’ cars. I even wrote a really bad April Fool’s Day post about the next Subaru Impreza WRX being Toyota-Corolla-based. It was fun, and because it was fun, it never felt like work.
Sometime after my blog had gotten off the ground, I noticed that Motor Trend was hiring for what’s now our Daily News Team. I sent in my résumé and a link to my blog. I got the job, and two weeks after graduation I made the move from New York to California. I’ve been happily plugging away at a keyboard—and driving some seriously awesome hardware—ever since.
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