2022 was the big BMW M year – and marked the 50th anniversary of BMW’s sportiest cars.
But the fact that the anniversary year has passed into history does not mean that there is no end to new goodies. The new special edition BMW M3 CS is indeed something completely out of the ordinary.
It combines the specifications of a car built for track driving – with the functionality and everyday use known from the BMW M3 sedan.
Here you just have to hold on tight!
A beating heart
Under the hood, we find the same engine that sits in the M4 CSL, which in turn has a strong kinship to the engine in the M4 GTE racing car.
With increased charge pressure in the two turbos and a number of adjustments to the engine management, the 3-litre, rev-friendly straight six offers a torque of 650 Nm and 550 horsepower. 40 horsepower more than in a standard M3 Competition.
A press on the gas pedal is therefore met by even sharper engine response and direct transfer of power to the drivetrain.
The yellow lights tell a lot about what this is…
Titan
The sprint from 0-100 km/h is done in 3.4 seconds. The exercise from 0-200 km/h is done in 11.1 seconds – 80 to 120 km/h goes in 2.6 seconds in fourth gear.
The top speed is only reached at the electronic limitation of 302 km/h.
The power of the engine is accompanied by the distinctive sound of the exhaust system with a titanium rear silencer.
If the Sport or Sport+ settings are engaged in the car, the exhaust sound gets its own sound with tones from motorsport, especially when changing gears and applying the gas.
Read our test of the new BMW M4 here
Rear wheel drive
The forces find their way to the tarmac through M xDrive all-wheel drive, coupled with an active differential on the rear axle.
In addition to the traditional four-wheel drive, you can choose to send more of the power to the rear wheels – or go for pure rear-wheel drive.
Like the engine, the chassis technology benefits from a number of detail upgrades tailored to this car.
Extensive use of carbon-reinforced plastic in the bodywork and interior also helps to reduce weight and optimize weight distribution.
Buying guide: First generation BMW M3
Exclusive design
The newcomer is delivered in the exclusive color Frozen Solid White as standard. Alternatively, customers can specify their all-new BMW M3 CS in the colors Signal Green, Brooklyn Gray and Sapphire Black.
Together with visible carbon fiber surfaces and red accents, the new special model offers a number of distinctive details that give the car a completely unique expression. The distinctive kidney grill and spoilers, diffuser and mirror housing in carbon fiber are elements that are also familiar from the special model M4 CSL.
This also applies to the car’s laser lights, where the strips in the headlights light up yellow instead of white when the doors are unlocked – and when the low and high beams are switched on. The yellow lights are a clear reference to historic racing cars.
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First come, first served
The distinctive bucket seats with integrated headrests are electrically adjustable and heated. The passengers in the back seats also sit well in leather-covered seats with a black and red design.
The new spearhead also has the latest generation of the infotainment system, which includes the BMW Curved Display.
Production of the all-new BMW M3 CS begins in March. The new special model will be produced in limited numbers.
Norwegian dealers have opened for orders, on a first-come, first-served basis. The starting price is NOK 1,904,000.
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