The new BMW M3 CS sedan has been revealed, boasting extra oomph from its twin-turbo inline-6 engine and a raft of weight-saving measures. Here’s what you need to know…

The wraps have finally come off the new BMW M3 CS special edition, which benefits from extra power and less weight.

Described as a “limited-run” model, the fresh-faced M3 CS sedan is set to go into production in Munich from March 2023. BMW Group South Africa has yet to confirm whether we’ll see the latest version of the high-performance saloon on local roads, though the international press material lists the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan as the “most important sales regions for the new special-edition model”.

[UPDATE: BMW Group SA has since announced 20 units of the M3 CS will be available in South Africa from the 3rd quarter of 2023].

Like the M4 CSL, the new M3 CS features a version of the twin-turbo 3.0-litre, inline-6 engine developing 405 kW (30 kW more than the M3 Competition xDrive, but not quite as much as the 3.0 CSL) and an unchanged 650 Nm. However, while the M4 CSL’s 8-speed automatic transmission drives the rear wheels, the M3 CS will be offered exclusively in all-wheel-drive form, complete with a fully variable active M differential at the rear.

As a result of tweaks that include an increase in charge pressure and “model-specific” updates to the engine-management system, the CS-badged 4-door model will complete the 0-100 kph sprint in a claimed 3.4 seconds (a tenth quicker than the M3 Competition). BMW claims the newcomer will reach 200 kph in 11.1 seconds, while the fact the M Driver’s Package ships standard results in an electronically limited top speed of 302 kph.

The German firm has furthermore added a specially designed engine mounting with increased spring rates, which it claims provides “even sharper engine response”. There’s also a dual-branch exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps, a titanium rear silencer and 4 tailpipes painted in matte black. BMW says this set-up creates an “emotionally stirring soundtrack” with distinct “racing car undertones”, injecting “real aural drama” into proceedings.

Here’s how the BMW M3 CS went about losing weight

According to the Munich-based automaker, the M3 CS is around 20 kg lighter than the likewise all-paw version of the M3 Competition, with the official spec sheet listing an unladen weight of 1 765 kg. Much of this weight saving was achieved through the use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), both inside and out.

The roof, bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, side-mirror caps, rear diffuser and rear spoiler are all fashioned from the lightweight material, as are the centre console, shift paddles and various interior trim strips. The standard M Carbon bucket seats also do their bit to keep weight down, along with the aforementioned titanium silencer.

Should further body rigidity be required, BMW says buyers can specify a package of high-precision strut braces for the engine compartment that have also been engineered for lightness. The cast aluminium elements connecting the spring strut towers to the front end feature a “weight-optimised geometry” that has been “precisely matched” to the forces applied in various driving situations.

What else goes into the making of an M3 CS?

BMW says the M3 CS furthermore gains model-specific settings for its dynamic stability control system and M Dynamic Mode, catering to the “demands of high-speed circuit driving”. Meanwhile, the individually tuned axle kinematics and bespoke wheel-camber settings, dampers, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars serve to optimise response.

In addition, the special model’s adaptive M suspension system comes in a model-specific set-up, as does its electromechanical M Servotronic steering with variable ratio and its integrated braking system.

Other standard features include M Carbon ceramic brakes (with callipers in either gold or red), forged M light-alloy wheels (measuring 19 inches fore and 20 inches aft) in a V-spoke design and purpose-developed track tyres (measuring 275/35 ZR19 at the front and 285/30 ZR20 at the rear).

How will you identify the M3 CS out on the road?

It shouldn’t be too difficult to spot the new M3 CS out on the road, thanks to a raft of design updates. There’s the pair of carbon indents set into the bonnet, as well as the various carbon elements mentioned above. Signal Green (a solid paint hue), Brooklyn Grey metallic and Sapphire Black metallic will be offered as exterior colours, while Frozen Solid White metallic will be exclusive to the M division’s latest special-edition model.

The large grille, meanwhile, is frameless and designed especially for this model, complete with red contour lines and “M3 CS” badging on the upper of the two horizontal bars. Both the model badge at the front and its counterpart on the boot lid have black surfaces with a red border, while the standard BMW Laserlight headlights illuminate yellow rather than white.

Let’s take a look inside the CS-badged M3 sedan

Inside, you’ll find electric and heated M Carbon bucket seats with integral head restraints and an illuminated model badge. These special pews are upholstered in Merino leather with a black-and-red colour scheme and contrast stitching. This 2-tone finish is repeated on the pair of seats in the rear, while the door panels are trimmed entirely in black leather.

Red “CS” lettering adorns the lightweight centre console, while M seat belts (with a woven stripe pattern in the trademark M colours), branded door-sill plates, Anthracite-coloured headliner and an M Alcantara steering wheel with a red centre marker are also included. The new BMW M3 CS boasts the latest-generation iDrive system (based on the BMW Operating System 8), which includes a curved display formed by the joining of 12.3- and 14.9-inch screens under a single piece of glass.

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