By Otsile Kadiege

BMW M has lifted the veils off the all-new M3 CS. Highlights of the newcomer include a more powerful straight-six engine, less weight thanks to bespoke chassis tuning and extensive use of CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic), exclusive design features and new technologies.

Performance

Powering the new BMW M3 CS is the high-revving 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. Thanks to numerous upgrades to the powerplant like weight-saving cylinder bores with a wire-arc sprayed iron coating, a sleeve-free, closed-deck construction crankcase, and forged lightweight crankshaft to name a few the new M3 CS has a 30 kW hike in peak output compared with the M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive, resulting in a maximum output of 405 kW and 650 Nm.

The straight-six engine is paired to an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission and sends its power to the rear-wheel-drive bias M xDrive all-wheel-drive system allowing the M3 CS to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 3.4 seconds. The BMW M3 CS comes with the M Driver’s Package as standard and has an electronically limited top speed of 302 km/h.

Tuned for track days

The chassis technology in the new 1 765 kg M3 CS has been tuned precisely to the engine’s performance characteristics, the overall vehicle concept and its weight distribution. The model-specific settings for the DSC system and M Dynamic Mode have also been purposefully geared to the specific demands of high-speed circuit driving.

The individually tuned axle kinematics and bespoke wheel camber settings, dampers, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars serve to optimise steering precision, transmission of lateral control forces when cornering, spring and damping response and wheel location. The electronically controlled dampers of the adaptive M suspension on the new BMW M3 CS likewise come in a model-specific setup, as do its electromechanical M Servotronic steering with variable ratio and its integrated braking system.

Exclusive design and styling

Outside, the new M3 CS is instantly recognizable as a special edition model thanks to numerous bespoke design and styling features. These include exposed carbon-fibre surfaces for the roof, a weight-saving, frameless BMW kidney grille, BMW Laserlight headlights with yellow illumination – both during the welcome sequence when the vehicle is unlocked and while low beam or high beam is switched on, a carbon fibre front splitter with integrated carbon fibre winglets, carbon fibre rear spoiler and rear diffuser, a weight-saving titanium exhaust system, and M3 or M3 CS badging with red outlines.

As standard, the M3 CS is shod with forged M light-alloy wheels in an exclusive V-spoke design with a Gold Bronze finish. These particular M light-alloy wheels can also be ordered in an optional matt Black finish. Measuring 19 inches in diameter at the front axle and 20 inches at the rear, the wheels are fitted as standard with track tyres that have been purpose-developed for the special-edition model and measure 275/35 ZR19 at the front and 285/30 ZR20 at the rear. Standard specification for the special-edition model includes M Compound brakes with brake callipers painted in a choice of Red or Black. There is also the option of M Carbon ceramic brakes whose brake callipers are available in matt Gold or Red.

The Frozen Solid White metallic paint finish available for the exterior is exclusive to the latest special-edition model from BMW M. Other exterior colours include Signal Green solid, Brooklyn Grey metallic and Sapphire Black metallic.

Exclusive interior design and styling

Inside the new M3 CS, the driver and front passenger are welcomed by a large BMW Curved Display with the latest-generation BMW iDrive Operating System 8 and standard M Carbon bucket seats in a model-specific design. Fully electric and heated, they feature integral head restraints along with an illuminated model badge, resulting in a unique blend of racing flair and long-distance comfort. The use of CFRP in the structural elements of the seat cushion and backrest as well as the eye-catching cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints are testimony to the seats’ weight-minimising construction.

The M Carbon bucket seats in the new BMW M3 CS are upholstered in Merino leather and feature an exclusive design in a Black/Red colour scheme with distinctive contrast stitching. This bi-colour finish is repeated for the two seats in the rear compartment of the sedan. The door panels are trimmed entirely in Black leather in both the front and the rear, while red “CS” lettering adorns the lightweight-design centre console. The standard equipment roster for the new BMW M3 CS also includes M seat belts with a woven stripe pattern in BMW M colours, door sill plates bearing the inscription “M3 CS”, an Anthracite-coloured headliner, interior trim strips in Carbon Fibre finish and an M Alcantara steering wheel with CFRP shift paddles and a red centre marker.

Availability

The newest M family member will make its official public debut at this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. According to BMW’s M division boss, Frank van Meel, the special-edition model will be available for a period of one year and will be produced from March 2023.