If you are a BMW aficionado, there was only one place to be last Saturday—the 2026 BMW Cruise-In presented by the Petersen Automotive Museum. The Petersen is one of Los Angeles's most prominent attractions and is one of the most prestigious automotive museums anywhere in the world. This time around, it was hosting a special event, a BMW car show doubling as the location of choice for the debut of the 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter. TopSpeed was on the scene and had the chance to witness the reveal, take a look at the car, and get an exclusive interview with Scott Stirling, North American BMW M product manager. Everything You Need To Know About The 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedWhat the heck is the 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter, and why is BMW making such a big deal about it? Well, cars that are both the first and the last of their kind tend to be attractive to enthusiasts just on that principle alone. However, this limited-run M3 model is so much more than just that. Not Just Another Special Edition M3 Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedThe 2027 M3 CS Handschalter (meaning stick-shift) is and will be the only manual transmission G80 generation M3 CS model ever sold. Not only that, this car is a North American special, meaning not even the Germans get this one. That makes this manual M3 CS the first North American special edition M3 since the E36 M3 Lightweight. There was the Lime Rock E92 M3, but that car only featured cosmetic changes such as paint and upholstery. The 2027 M3 CS Handschalter is a completely different type of demon that is all about its performance and driving engagement, the first and last of its kind. One Man Brought The M3 CS Handschalter To Life Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedSo why does only North America get what is effectively the "ultimate edition" of the G80 generation M3? Because the original idea for this model came from Scott Stirling, North American BMW M Product Manager, who is, more importantly, a long-time BMW enthusiast. In our interview with him at the Petersen event, he gave us the rundown of how this car came to be. It started with a pre-production example of the first G80 M3 CS in 2024. Scott stated that he was impressed by how much sharper and improved the M3 CS was compared to the base version of the M3. As a die-hard RWD manual transmission aficionado, Scott felt it only seemed logical to combine the increased performance of the CS model with the driving engagement only a manual transmission can provide. The 2027 M3 CS Handschalter Is A Proper Send-off Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedThe 2027 model year officially marks the end of the G80 M3 generation that was introduced in the 2021 model year. The 2027 M3 CS Handschalter is part of the celebratory send-off for the latest M3, which has been a strong sales success despite initial criticism about its polarizing front end. Bringing Back Two Of BMW's Most Iconic Paint Colors Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedIf you are a real BMW head, you know about Imola Red and Techno Violet. These two distinct colors are recognized as among the most iconic BMW paint options of all time, with Techno Violet representing the E36 heritage and Imola Red representing the beloved E46 generation. When we asked Scott what inspired these specific color choices as no-cost options for this exclusive model, he said, "It was me being a nerd." Being an owner of both an E36 and an E46 3-Series, Scott loved these two colors in particular and felt they would be the perfect option for this unique M3 model. Dream To Reality Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedThe 2027 M3 CS Handschalter may have been Scott's idea, but he says that he owes everything to the engineers in Munich who developed the excellent equipment that made this dream become a reality. If anything, his input provided the spark and idea, and the engineers are the ones making his suggestions into a reality.Scott clarified that North America is, by far, the most important market for the BMW M, and it was clear that the demand for an even faster manual transmission M3 model was there. Scott says he couldn't be happier with the result. Once he got to drive the final version on track for the first time, he noted how "the front end is a lot sharper, it's really easy to place on the apex, and it rotates really well." Few cars are as capable of holding a controlled drift as cleanly as this special M3 model, and the M3 CS Handschalter is just about everything Scott and the team wanted when they set out for this project. Specs, Pricing, And Availability Of The 2027 M3 CS Handschalter Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedSo what exactly are you getting with a 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter if you are interested in getting one for yourself? Let's break down all the key features that matter. A Carbon Fiber Showcase The 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter starts at $107,100 plus $1,350 destination and handling for a total of $108,450. For comparison, a 2027 BMW M3 Competition Sedan starts at $79,300, a difference of approximately $29,150. Yet, what are you getting for that extra chunk of change? Well, first are the all-important performance-focused CS add-ons. When combined with a manual transmission and RWD, this configuration makes the special-edition M3 the lightest G80 M3 available. There is so much carbon fiber on this car, inside and out, that we hardly know where to start.Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedFirst, you have the roof, hood, front splitter, front air intakes, mirror caps, rear spoiler, and rear diffuser. Then, on the inside, the entire center console and interior trim are also carbon fiber. Last, but not least, are the gorgeous power-adjustable M Carbon bucket seats in Merino leather with distinctive black and red contrast stitching. The contrast stitching looks amazing in person and has a cool optical illusion effect that is difficult to capture in photos. Although the exclusive stick-shift transmission may be the star of the show, these seats are definitely the most intriguing part of the interior. High-Performance In Every Detail Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedThe BMW M3 CS Handschalter shares the same 543 horsepower output as the standard M3 CS, provided by its 3.0-liter S58 twin-turbocharged inline-six. This powerful inline-six is paired with an active titanium exhaust system for additional weight savings. The DSC system and M Dynamic Mode are specifically tuned for the CS model for maximum performance. Further optimization is present in the axle kinematics, camber settings, electronically controlled damper setup, and anti-roll bar tuning. Even the steering and braking feel have been fine-tuned for this specific model. M Compound brakes come standard, but drivers have the option of M Carbon ceramic brakes as well. The 2027 M3 CS Handschalter will be limited to fewer than 1,000 units, but specific production numbers are not being released by BMW at this time. A Visit To The Petersen Museum Needs To Be On Your Wish List Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedIf you consider yourself a car enthusiast, and you haven't had the distinct privilege of visiting the Petersen, we suggest you change that fact soon. Throughout the entire year, this Los Angeles landmark is the meeting ground for some of the best car events anywhere in the world. Year-Round Events Worth Your Time Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedLove all things JDM? Later this week, in May 2026, the Petersen will be hosting the Japanese Car Cruise-In & Motorcycle Show. Maybe JDM is not really your thing, but you love Italian cars? Next month, they will be hosting the Italian Car & Motorcycle Cruise-In. What if you think that Japanese cars are boring, and European cars are even worse? Worry not, because the month after, the Petersen will be hosting the All-American Cruise-In.Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedIf you love a specific car niche, the Petersen probably has one of the best and biggest events of the year for that interest. The best part is that spectating these events is entirely free, and you only need to pay for parking. These monthly events tend to pull thousands of eager automotive enthusiasts from across the state and country, so be sure to show up early for the best experience. The Museum Experience Is Worth Every Penny Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedThe free events in the parking structure of the Petersen are already the stuff of legends, but entering the museum itself is nothing less than an automotive rite of passage. Current exhibits change every month, so even if you have gone before, you are sure to experience something new every time you go back.Daud Gonzalez | TopSpeedCurrently, three exhibits make the experience worth the cost of entry alone: Super/Hyper (hypercar showcase), World-Class (100 Years of Mercedes-Benz), and Performance & Prestige (A History of Aston Martin). Prepare, as you will feast your eyes on some of the rarest and most stunning vehicles you have ever seen. The Mercedes exhibit alone is spectacular and features some of the most timeless and priceless vehicles ever made. If visiting Los Angeles for the weekend or on a trip, do yourself a favor and skip the Hollywood Walk of Fame and make your way over to the Petersen Museum instead. You won't regret it!Sources: BMW, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Petersen Automotive Museum