The current G80 generation BMW M3 is slowly approaching the end of its market life. From Munich, the first farewell versions are already starting to appear for the brand’s most loyal enthusiasts.
One of the most interesting comes from North America, where BMW has prepared the exclusive M3 CS Handschalter.
The name “Handschalter” means manual shifter in German, and it makes the purpose of the car very clear.
In an era of automation, this model puts the manual transmission back at the center of the driving experience.
A Manual M3 With Real Compromises
American fans of classic performance cars have continued to ask for three-pedal sports sedans. BMW has now answered with one of the most special versions of the current M3.
The standard M3 CS uses a 183 cubic inch turbocharged inline six with 550 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It also uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive.
The Handschalter is different. It gets a six-speed ZF S6-53 manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and a milder version of the engine with 480 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque.
The reason is technical. The manual transmission is not compatible with the all-wheel drive system, and it cannot handle the same higher torque output.
Lightweight Parts Keep The CS Character
Even with less power than the standard CS, the Handschalter keeps almost the full racing-inspired philosophy. The roof, hood, mirror caps, air intakes, rear spoiler, diffuser, and front splitter are all made from carbon fiber.
Carbon fiber also appears throughout the cabin. The bucket front seats and center tunnel help reduce weight, while optional carbon-ceramic brakes are available for buyers who want even sharper performance.
The result is a curb weight of about 3,682 pounds, making this the lightest M3 of the current generation.
BMW says the car accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 mph.
BMW Focused On Driving Feel
Special attention was given to the way the car feels on the road. Engineers revised the steering and suspension to make the Handschalter feel more direct.
The dampers and springs come directly from the more extreme BMW M4 CSL coupe. Throttle response has also been sharpened to give the driver a stronger connection with the car.
That is why many already see the Handschalter as one of the purest and most exciting driver-focused M3 versions of the G80 generation.
It may not be the most powerful M3 CS, but it could be the one that feels closest to the old BMW M spirit.
A Limited Model For North America
BMW has not yet revealed how many examples will be produced. The company has confirmed only that this will be a limited series for the United States and Canada.
Production begins in July, while orders are already open. The starting price in the U.S. is about $107,000 before delivery charges.
That places the M3 CS Handschalter between the standard M3 and the more powerful automatic M3 CS with all-wheel drive, giving North American buyers one final chance at a very special manual M3.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.