► 15kg lighter with 20bhp more power
► Deliveries start in March
► Will cost £120,600
It’s here! BMW has fully revealed the M3 CS Touring after teasing it during the Daytona 24h weekend. As you’d expect it follows the CS formula, so it’s both lighter, more powerful and has an even more precise chassis than before.
What’s new?
The M3 CS Touring benefits from upgrades in three key areas: first, the power. There’s a 3.0-litre in-line six under the bonnet, but the CS gets a more rigid crank case, forged lightweight crankshaft and cylinder head with a 3D-printed core. The cylinder bores have been reworked for less frictional losses, and the cooling system has been upgraded to account for the increased output. Engine mounts have also been stiffened.
The Turbo now goes up to 2.1 bar and there’s also an ECU flash for even more power. Put it all together and the CS Touring makes 558bhp, 20bhp more than the current M2 Competition Touring. Peak torque comes in at 479ft lb from 2750 to 5950rpm, so it should be more usable too. 0-62mph takes 3.5 seconds, while 0-124mph takes just 11.7.
It’s all mated to an eight-speed M xDrive four-wheel drive system. It can prioritise grip or fun, with an entirely two-wheel drive mode that diverts all power to the rear wheels.
What about the chassis?
First the software: the DSC and M Dynamics modes have been tweaked for track driving, as has the electronically controlled M suspension dampers and the M Servotronic power steering. Other toys include an M Drive Analyser and M Laptimer which come as standard in the CS, as well as 10-stage traction control system for track use.
Munich’s engineers did put their laptops away for a bit, though; new M front-end strut braces and spring strut towers further improve rigidity.
Lightness is also a key factor for the CS, so the car is now packed with carbonfibre reinforced plastic parts. There’s a carbonfibre (CFRP) bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps and rear diffusers – all of which look even more aggressive this time around, as well as being lighter.
The interior also gets its fair share of CFRP too; BMW has packed in Carbon bucket seat and carbonfibre paddles, but you’ll also finds strips of the stuff in the interior trim and the centre console. Overall, the CS is 15kg lither than the competition, and that’s despite the extra CS trinkets you get in the interior.
The M3 CS Touring will be available in four colours and will cost £120,600. Deliveries should hit the UK in March 2025.