BMW M3 CS: more powerful, lighter, more radical, and it will be a limited edition

The 50th anniversary of BMW M is undoubtedly proving very rewarding for all fans of the brand and especially of its most sporty models, with unveilings that make us drool, such as the gorgeous 3.0 CSL or the long-awaited M3 Touring, although they are also giving us very radical models such as the M4 CSL. Precisely in the line of this last model comes the new unveiling: the spectacular BMW M3 CS.

Exterior and interior designed to save weight

With the M4 CSL, the German brand gave us a radical and very fast coupé, perfect for putting the biggest smile on our faces on our favourite mountain roads, although where it undoubtedly moves like a fish in water is on the track, which is why elements such as the rear seats have been dispensed with. The new BMW M3 CS aims to follow in the wake of the M4 CSL, but with a more well-rounded concept for everyday use, since all the sportiness and radicalness it radiates can be enjoyed across its four seats with every detail in place.

Stylistically it might seem that we are looking at a standard M3, but apart from the name there are several details that tell us it is the M3 CS. To begin with, we have the Laser lights BMW fitted as standard with yellow daytime running lights, a nod to its GT racing models, presiding over a front grille that eliminates the frame to save weight and includes red outline lines on the upper part of the two horizontal bars.

Precisely one of the objectives of the M3 CS, to make it an even more radical model, is weight saving: 20 kilograms less than the M3 Competition, which they achieve by using components manufactured from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), carbon fibre that we can see present on the roof, the bonnet, the front splitter, the front air intakes, the exterior mirror housings, and the rear diffuser and spoiler. We can also make use of Frozen Solid White paint for its bodywork, exclusive to this model, although if we do not like it we can opt for Signal Green solid, Brooklyn Grey metallic and Sapphire Black metallic.

Entering the interior of the BMW M3 CS, we find a combination of driving pleasure and sportiness, which is provided first and foremost by the M carbon fibre bucket seats with a design specific to this model, with electric adjustment and heating, upholstered as standard in Merino leather in a combination of black and red colours with contrasting stitching, a pattern that is repeated on the rear seats. All the door panels are upholstered in black leather, and we will find sublime details such as the M seat belts with a woven stripe design in the colours of BMW M, sills and centre console bearing the M3 CS inscription, carbon fibre inserts, an Alcantara steering wheel with CFRP gear shift paddles, and anthracite interior roof lining.

All this sportiness, as I mentioned earlier, is combined with BMW’s latest technology, such as the BMW iDrive with ID 8 operating system, consisting of the curved display from BMW made up of a 12.3-inch screen for the instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch one for the infotainment system. From these we can control a multitude of elements, as well as receive useful information, especially using the M Setup button, which provides direct access to the configuration options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive. It also comes as standard with the M Drive Professional system, which includes functions such as M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer, in addition to allowing configuration of the ten stages of M traction control and selection of the preset ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings.

The inline six-cylinder increases its power

Mechanically, the BMW M3 CS continues to use the inline six-cylinder with M TwinPower Turbo technology, but slightly boosted, all to reach a power output of 550 CV (40 CV more than the M3 Competition) and a torque of 650 Nm sent to all four wheels (although more torque can be directed to the rear axle thanks to the 4WD Sport or 2WD modes) via the xDrive system and the eight-speed M Steptronic automatic gearbox. These figures allow it to reach 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and attain an electronically limited top speed of 302 km/h.

Furthermore, this power will be more precise to handle and control thanks to the specific settings made for the DSC system and M Dynamic mode, to which must be added the individually tuned axle kinematics and bespoke wheel camber angle settings, dampers, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars. As standard it also features the M adaptive chassis with electronically controlled dampers and specific configuration, such as the M Servotronic electromechanical steering. Finally, it is fitted with 19-inch wheels on the front axle and 20-inch wheels on the rear, behind which are hidden the M Compound brakes with brake calipers painted red or black as standard, which can be upgraded with the M carbon-ceramic brakes with calipers in matt gold or red.

The new BMW M3 CS will be manufactured at the brand’s Munich plant from March onwards, with a phased launch beginning that same month, so we will have to wait a little longer to learn the price of this model in Spain.