The BMW 327 was based on the BMW 326. Rather than a more comfortable touring sedan, the BMW was a sporty, elegant coupé supplied from 1938 as a complement to the BMW 327 Sports Convertible. Compared to the BMW 326, the engine had a slightly higher compression ratio (6.3:1 instead of 6.0:1) and delivered an output of 55 hp. The fully synchronised ZF or Freilauf-Hurth transmissions were installed on request and they had a slightly higher gear ratio in the first three gears. In contrast to the convertible with a body made by coachbuilder Autenrieth in Darmstadt, the coupé bodies were produced almost exclusively in Eisenach. By 1941, only 179 BMW 327 Sports Coupés had been produced in Eisenach.