BMW M3 CS spotted flaunting new M5 CS-like yellow DLRs
BMW’s new M3 CS saloon is on its way alongside the Touring and more
After initial reports that the BMW M range was ready for a rapid expansion, we’ve now spotted what is certainly the new M3 CS, doing its rounds testing at the Nurburgring. The new CS will join the M2, M3 Touring and M4 CSL as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, and there’s potential that it won’t stop there.
For now though, the new M3 CS is expected to share a similar collection of upgrades to BMW M’s previous CS models, combining a mild power upgrade, a more focused chassis setup and the addition of some lightweight features and new trim elements. However, unlike the M4 CSL, which will likely be rear-wheel drive only, the new M3 CS will follow the M5 CS in utilising BMW’s adaptive xDrive all-wheel drive system, creating some technical distance between it and the two-door CSL.
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From these images, we can clearly see that the M3 CS will share a few of its aesthetic updates with the CSL, including its new grille inserts and more aggressive splitter. But beyond that we’ve also noticed a new wheel design that like the Competition looks to be staggered in size front to back, and there’s also some M5 CS-like yellow daytime running lights, and camouflage on the rear glass alluding to a new rear bench, again likely mimicking the moulded buckets from the M5.
This new CS model will join the M3 Touring, which is also expected to only be available exclusively in Competition trim with xDrive all-wheel drive. Both the Touring and CS are also likely to pick up a range of other small changes due alongside the 3-series’s wider mid-cycle update, such as the switch to the slimline dashboard and floating infotainment screen setup first introduced on the all-electric BMW i4.
Accompanying the new M3 CS will be an additional M4 model that is expected to differ from its four-door CS relative by being only offered with a six-speed manual gearbox and be stripped of more equipment and feature light weight components such as forged alloy wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes; think of it as a CSL-lite. A technical requirement for such a model with a manual transmission will be a torque cap for the car’s 3-litre twin turbocharged straight-six, likely pegged at a similar number to non-Competition M3s available in most markets outside of the UK, so expect 406lb ft, 73lb ft down on the automatic-only Competition.
Both new derivatives will arrive at a time when BMW M is pushing its agenda at full speed with high performance, high margin models it knows it can only continue to produce for a limited time.
When asked about both new M models a spokesperson said: “BMW doesn’t comment on future products”. However, it did point out that any future M products will be built in strictly limited numbers.
