New Delhi: BMW has officially released its M3 with the return of the M3 CS, and this time in the limited-run manual-only variant called the M3 CS Handschalter. This name, Handschalter, is German for the manual shift, and the model is specially built around a 6-speed manual gearbox by sending power exclusively to the rear wheels.
M3 CS Handschalter is currently going to available only in the United States and Canada, and by highlighting its niche appeal to enthusiasts. It still retains the S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine, tuned to deliver 473 hp and 550 Nm of torque.
It is coupled with a 6-speed manual; BMW also promised a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 4.1 seconds and top speed of 290 kmph. This is similar to the powertrain and manual gearbox, which are also available on the non-CS M3, but the CS model benefits from a more focused chassis and damping setup.
With the automatic-only M3 CS with all-wheel drive, the manual produces 57 hp and 100 Nm less and is 0.6 seconds slower from 0-100 kmph. BMW’s M division deliberately limits the output of its manual variants to improve long-term reliability, whereas the automatic units can tolerate higher loads without the same concerns.
The car sits 6 mm lower than the standard M3, using the latest springs and a revised rear axle link to offer a more track-capable stance. The dampers are shared with the more extreme M4 CSL, adding further rigidity and feedback. This car rides on forged alloy wheels, 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear, in a staggered setup, with gloss-black elements on the grille and side skirts.
It has the same curved dual-screen layout, combining a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It features a 10-stage M Traction Control, an M Drift Analyzer and an M Laptimer for track-aimed driving.
It also features include 3-zone automatic climate control, which is powered and heated front seats, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. A head-up display and power-operated boot lid are provided as options.
