BMW has introduced the M3 CS Touring, a limited-run, high-performance version of its M3 Touring estate. This new variant brings increased power, weight reduction, and chassis enhancements, making it the most focused and capable version of BMW’s performance wagon. It follows the introduction of the standard M3 Touring and Competition models, but with track-oriented upgrades and exclusive styling elements.
Power and Performance Enhancements
The M3 CS Touring retains the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine but has been tuned to produce 542bhp, an increase of 19bhp over the M3 Competition Touring. This additional power is achieved through higher turbocharger boost pressure, which has been raised from 1.7 bar to 2.1 bar, along with refinements to the engine management system.
Torque remains unchanged at 479lb ft, delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The increase in power improves performance across the board:
- 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds, a 0.1-second improvement over the standard M3 Touring Competition.
- 0-124mph in 11.7 seconds, demonstrating significant mid-range acceleration.
- 50-75mph in 2.7 seconds in fourth gear, improving overtaking capability.
- 186mph top speed, 12mph higher than the M3 Competition Touring.
While the M3 CS Touring features BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, it retains the ability to switch to rear-wheel drive mode for those who prefer a more traditional M driving experience.
Weight Reduction and Chassis Improvements
BMW has worked to reduce weight and improve handling, making the M3 CS Touring a sharper and more dynamic version of the M3 Touring. The car is 15kg lighter, bringing the kerb weight down to 1,850kg, achieved through the extensive use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic in key areas:
- Bonnet
- Front splitter
- Front air intakes
- Mirror caps
- Rear diffuser
- Interior components, including the bucket seats and gearshift paddles
The suspension system has been reworked, featuring stiffer adaptive dampers and firmer suspension settings for better high-speed stability. The front suspension benefits from aluminium strut braces, improving chassis rigidity and steering response.
Exterior and Interior Upgrades
The M3 CS Touring features several exclusive styling updates, including:
- Yellow LED daytime running lights, similar to other recent BMW CS models.
- Red accent lines on the exterior, highlighting its high-performance nature.
- Bespoke forged alloy wheels, available in 19-inch front and 20-inch rear sizes.
- Four exterior colours: green, blue, white, and sapphire black.
Inside the cabin, BMW has introduced several CS-specific upgrades to differentiate it from the standard M3 Touring:
- Carbon fibre bucket seats with illuminated CS badging.
- M-specific steering wheel paddles made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic.
- Red contrast stitching and trim details exclusive to the CS model.
- M Drift Analyser and Laptimer apps, included as standard.
Pricing and Availability
The BMW M3 CS Touring is priced at £120,600 in the UK, making it £32,655 more expensive than the M3 Competition Touring. BMW has confirmed that the M3 CS Touring will be produced in limited numbers, though it has not disclosed exact production figures or how many units will be allocated to the UK.
