BMW has revealed a more rigid – lighter, stiffer and more powerful – The flagship M3 CS sedan ahead of its world premiere this weekend at 24 Hours of Daytona.
As we’ve come to expect, the M3 CS gets an upgraded inline-six, a retuned chassis and extensive use of carbon fiber to make it meaner than its sibling. It shares many similarities with the BMW M4 CSL revealed last May, only it offers a more practical interior.
It will come in Australia in a limited number of second half of 2023cost $249,900 plus on-road costs.
The modified M TwinPower Turbo 3.0-litre six offers 30kW more than the M3 Competition, taking it to 405kW over a wider range. Torque remains at 650Nm at its peak but in the CS it is maintained longer, up to almost 6000rpm.
The claimed zero to 100km/h time drops a tenth to 3.4 seconds, while the 0-200km/h mark is hit in 11.1 seconds. The electronically controlled top speed is 302km/h.
The tweaks mainly involved increasing the maximum charge pressure of the two single-scroll turbochargers from 1.7 to 2.1 bar, and making some “model-specific tweaks” to engine management. Redesigned engine mounts with higher spring rates are available to create a stiffer connection.
BMW’s fast division says the revised engine uses features from BMW’s M4 GT3 DTM touring car. The engine features a sleeveless closed-deck crankcase, lighter cylinder bores, 3D-printed cylinder head cores, and a track-specific oil supply and cooling system.
There is a dual-branch exhaust system featuring electrically controlled flaps, a titanium rear silencer and two pairs of tailpipes painted matt black. Selecting Sport or Sport+ mode “dials up the drive sound to produce notes with an unmistakable racecar tone,” BMW claims.
The 2024 BMW M3 CS puts power on the road through an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with carbon fiber paddle shifters, with variable M xDrive and rear bias AWD, and a rear Active M Differential for torque shuffle across the axles.
This xDrive iteration comes with improved oil supply to an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, tuned specifically for track reliability.
BMW claims there are “model-specific settings” for stability control and the M Dynamic driving mode – geared towards the specific demands of high-speed circuit driving. There are also retuned axle kinematics and model-specific wheel camber, dampers, additional springs and anti-roll bars.
The electronically controlled dampers on the new BMW M3 CS also come in model-specific setup, as does its electromechanical M Servotronic variable ratio steering wheel.
Further standard specification for the special edition model includes M Compound brakes with red or black painted calipers. M Carbon ceramic brakes are optional.
Also on the standard equipment list for the new M3 CS are forged M light-alloy wheels in an exclusive V-spoke design with a Gold Bronze or Matt Black finish, measuring 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear.
Standard track tires, developed for the CS, measure 275/35 ZR19 at the front and 285/30 ZR20 at the rear. Road-friendly tires are a no-cost option.
Weight saving results include the installation of a carbon fiber roof, bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, rear diffuser and rear spoiler. The center console, shift paddles on the steering wheel, and interior trim strips are also all produced from the material.
Standard M Carbon bucket seats also work to reduce weight, as does a titanium rear silencer. Various lightweight sizes result in total savings of approximately 20kg.
Design changes include available Frozen Solid White metallic paint, along with solid Signal Green, metallic Brooklyn Gray and metallic Sapphire Black, as well as exposed carbon fiber surfaces and black-and-red badging. BMW Laserlight headlights are also standard.
Inside there are heated and powered M Carbon bucket seats with exclusive surfaces and stitching patterns. There is also the latest generation iDrive based on BMW Operating System 8, which includes the BMW Curved Display (12.3-inch cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen) for the cockpit.
The shift light appears at the top of the info display, while the M xDrive and grip control modes are shown on the bottom edge. A special widget containing information about the current vehicle setup, as well as tire pressure and temperature, can be added.
Australia
Australia is one of the world’s leading markets for BMW M in its ratio of cars sold in the overall model mix, with one in five BMWs registered here wearing the BMW M badge.
The M3 CS will enter the local market in the second half of 2023 following the launch of the XM, M3 Touring and the second generation M2.
BMW Australia has announced a price of $249,900 – $74,600 more than the M3 Competition xDrive sedan, but $54,000 less than the M4 CSL coupe.
2024 BMW M3 CS specifications
CS model specific:
- Merino leather upholstery
- 19-inch/20-inch M spoke star light alloy wheels 827M
- Track tires
- M Compound brake
- M Carbon bucket seats, electric and heated
- Alcantara steering wheel
- BMW Laserlight with yellow details
- M Carbon exterior package
- Driver Package M
- 305km/h top speed
- BMW M Advance 2 driving course
- Carbon bonnet and roof
- Carbon front splitter, blades and air intake
- Titanium exhaust with matt black tail pipe
- CS specific engine assembly
- M front end strut brace
- Driving Assistant
- Parking Assistant
- BMW Individual and metallic paint options
Equipment removed
- Galvanic decorator for control
- Storage compartment package
- Professional Driving Assistant
- Parking Assistant Plus
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