BMW M3 CS Touring revealed with 550 PS - more expensive than M4 CS
Starting at £120,600, the performance estate is faster, sharper and (not much) lighter
Fans of powerful estate cars have had to wait more than 35 years for the first BMW M3 Touring. But the wait was well worth it. For everyone, in fact, because the Munich-based carmaker is enjoying more than brisk demand for its high-performance family bomber. And the demand for power plus space is apparently so great that a performance version of the performance version is now being added. Say hello to the very first M3 CS Touring.
Those two fast letters have recently graced the M2, M3 saloon, M4 and M5. Now, for the first time, a Touring gets more power, a sharper chassis, sharper aerodynamics and (just a little) less weight.
Following the latest facelift, the 3.0-litre S58 biturbo straight-six engine already delivers 530 PS in the standard M3 Touring. Thanks to an increase in maximum boost pressure to 2.1 bar and modified engine electronics, the M3 CS Touring now delivers 550 PS at 6,250 rpm. Maximum torque remains unchanged at 650 Nm (between 2,750 and 5,950 rpm).
The resulting acceleration figures are quite interesting. The CS accelerates from 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds. This is 0.1 seconds faster than the M3 Touring. The difference from 0-124 mph is even more striking. Here the M3 CS Touring loses 0.7 seconds to its weaker brother (11.7 to 12.4 seconds). The top speed is 186 mph, 12 mph higher than the standard M3 Touring, even with the optional M Drivers Package.
It remains to be seen how much the weight reduction contributes to this. As we know from previous CS models, a relatively large amount of carbon fibre leads to comparatively manageable results.
The M3 CS Touring's bonnet, more aggressive front splitter, front air intakes, door mirror caps and rear diffuser are all made from carbon fibre. Inside the cockpit, specially designed carbon-fibre bucket seats and steering wheel paddles, interior trims and a new carbon-fibre centre console contribute to weight optimisation. All in all, the CS loses 15 kilos compared to the standard model and now weighs 1,920 kilos with driver.
It therefore remains a heavy athlete, even if it does an excellent job of disguising this in terms of driving dynamics. The optional precision strut brace in the engine compartment, which increases the body's rigidity, should also help.
Other measures to improve handling include special settings for the adaptive dampers, steering and brakes. Engineers have also worked on the stability control system and the M Dynamic Mode.
The M3 CS Touring comes as standard with specially designed 19-inch front and 20-inch rear alloy wheels in either Gold Bronze or Matt Black finishes. They are shod with 275/35 ZR19 and 285/30 ZR20 tyres. Sport tyres are available as an option at no extra cost. If you want to stick to the tarmac even more and have a few quid to spare, you can also switch to ultra-track tyres. These are likely to be the Michelin Cup 2 R tyres.
Gallery: 2025 BMW M3 CS Touring
Unsurprisingly, the M-specific all-wheel-drive system, including 4WD Sport and 2WD modes, remains, as does the familiar ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and electronic limited-slip differential in the rear axle.
On the outside, the CS Touring is immediately recognisable by the aforementioned carbon-fibre components, the red-framed CS kidney grille, a red-framed roof spoiler and chic yellow LED headlights. The available paint finishes are also motorsport inspired and pretty cool. These include British Racing Green, legendary Laguna Seca Blue (pictured), Frozen Solid White and Sapphire Black.
Inside, CS customers can look forward to a black and red colour scheme that includes the rear bench and bucket seats. There's also a flattened Alcantara steering wheel with red 12 o'clock markings and the odd CS logo. Boot capacity remains between 500 and 1,510 litres.
It remains to be seen whether BMW will attempt to set a Nordschleife record for estate cars that does not officially exist. We will certainly see some pretty fast times in the coming weeks. The standard M3 Touring currently holds the unofficial record with a time of 7:34.39, set in the Sport Auto Supertest.
The new M3 CS starts at £120,600. This is an impressive £32,655 more than the standard M3 Touring (£87,945), but the M3 CS also comes with more expensive performance goodies as standard. And it is just about the same price as the M4 CS Coupé (£120,345). It will go on sale in the UK in March 2025. BMW calls it a 'limited edition', but does not say how many cars it will be.
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