BMW M3 CS Touring Performance Wagon with 543 hp
BMW has unveiled a hardcore CS version of its M3 Touring station wagon, which is sold internationally and offers even more performance.
The new M3 CS Touring will be unveiled Thursday at Australia's Mount Panorama Circuit, which will host the Bathurst 12-hour endurance race this weekend, and will be offered as a limited edition model similar to the M3 CS sedan.
The CS version of the M3 Touring brings the same 543 hp as the hardcore M4 CSL coupe and is produced by a tuned version of the 3.0-liter inline-6 twin turbo found in all M3 and M4 models. 523 hp more than the M3 Competition Performance is due to additional boost pressure and fine-tuning of the engine's electronic controls.
Like most other M3 models, power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and a rear-biased four-wheel drive system with an active rear differential. As for performance, the company claims a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph. Similarly, the hot wagon can go from 50-75 mph in 2.7 seconds in 4th gear and 3.5 seconds in 5th gear.
The CS also includes increased body rigidity with additional bracing, stronger brakes, and various weight reduction measures. The latter includes extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic in components such as the available carbon ceramic rotors, titanium exhaust system, hood, front splitter, front air intakes, side mirror caps, rear diffuser, and seatbacks.
As for the chassis, BMW says the suspension, steering, and braking systems have all been tuned uniquely for this model. The Electronic Stability Control system and M Dynamic mode settings have also been optimized for circuit driving, according to the company. The wheels are 19-inch front and 20-inch rear light alloys with 275/35 front and 285/30 rear tires.
The M3 CS sedan was introduced in the U.S. for the 2024 model year, but the regular M3 Touring has not yet been introduced to the U.S. market, so a wagon is not expected. However, BMW does offer a larger and more powerful M5 Touring. Elsewhere, the M3 CS Touring will begin deliveries in March.
The M3 CS Touring will be one of the last additions to the current M3 lineup; BMW has already been spotted testing prototypes of the next-generation M3 with both a gas engine and a new quad-motor electric powertrain. However, the new M3 is not expected to arrive until around 2027, so development will still take quite some time.
