BMW is saying goodbye to the G80-generation M3 in a way that will thrill purists. According to SPEEDME, the final special edition will be the M3 CS Handschalter – a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sedan with a six-speed manual transmission.

The name Handschalter is German for "manual shifting," and that's exactly what this car is about. It's an M3 CS tailored for purists: no all-wheel drive, no automatic. The car will be sold exclusively in the US; a European launch hasn't been confirmed yet.

Based on the M3 CS, this special edition has a different character. It's 20 kg lighter than a standard M3, and with optional carbon-ceramic brakes, the weight saving increases to 34 kg. The sedan also gets stiffer dampers, springs, and anti-roll bars, track-focused chassis tuning, and a ride height 6 mm lower than the M3 Competition.

BMW M3 CS Handschalter
press.bmwgroup.com

Under the hood is an inline-3.0-liter twin-turbo engine producing 473 hp. That's 69 hp less than the previous all-wheel-drive M3 CS with automatic. The reason is not fuel economy but durability: BMW M limits power on manual-transmission cars because the eight-speed automatic can handle higher torque.

Despite the power drop, performance remains impressive. The car accelerates to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.1 seconds and tops out at 180 mph (about 290 km/h).

The M3 CS Handschalter stands out with yellow daytime running lights, decorative stripes, carbon fiber elements, and a choice of four colors: green, black, red, and purple. Inside, carbon fiber bucket seats are standard.

US pricing starts at $103,750, which is roughly €95,500. The next-generation M3 is due in 2027 and will include an electric variant for the first time. However, the gasoline-powered M3 will also continue, with its inline-six updated to meet Euro 7 standards.