543-HP BMW M3 CS Touring: Peak Performance and a Wagon's Workload
BMW has revealed the CS Touring, which—like the —produces 543 horsepower from its twin-turbo straight-six.
The CS features retuned dampers and plenty of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic to cut out 33 pounds versus the M3 Competition Touring.
Sadly, as with the standard , the CS won't be offered in the United States.
Just a couple of days after releasing a pair of teaser videos, BMW unveiled the M3 CS Touring, an even more focused version of its potent station wagon. The Touring follows the same formula as the M3 CS sedan that BMW sold for the 2024 model year, boosting power from the inline-six engine, retuning the chassis, and shedding weight. Unfortunately, as with the standard M3 Touring, we'll have to admire the CS from afar, as this sporty longroof won't be sold in America.
The CS starts with a M3 Competition and injects an extra 20 horsepower, taking the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder to a total of 543 ponies. This extra oomph is attributed to a higher turbo boost pressure, up from 24.7 to 30.5 psi. Torque output is the same as the standard Competition model at 479 pound-feet. Like on the sedan, the CS introduces stiffer engine mounts, and BMW touts a cooling system and oil-supply system tailored to hardcore track driving. The M3 CS also offers an optional front-end strut brace for the engine compartment.
The engine is hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission distributing power to all four wheels. The CS also features an upgraded exhaust with electronically controlled baffles and a titanium rear silencer. BMW claims the wagon will rip from zero to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds, while 124 mph will arrive in 11.7 seconds. The CS comes standard with the M Driver's package, unlocking the M3's 186-mph top speed.
BMW says the electronically controlled dampers, steering, and brakes have been returned for the CS model. The standard brake calipers come painted in either red or black, but buyers can also upgrade to carbon-ceramic brakes painted either red or gold. The brakes hide behind forged alloy wheels finished in either matte black or matte gold bronze, measuring 19 inches up front and 20 inches at the rear.
The M3 CS Touring is also distinguished by the extensive use of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, as seen on the hood's two exposed strips, the front splitter, side-mirror housings, and rear diffuser. The material also appears on the grille, which shares the signature red lining with BMW's other CS models, and the rear spoiler gets the same red decoration. CFRP also makes its way into the cabin on the shift paddles, competition-spec bucket seats, and other interior trim.
All told, the M3 CS Touring is around 33 pounds lighter than a standard M3 Competition Touring, which doesn't sound like all that much considering the amount of carbon weave found throughout the wagon. The M3 CS Touring is also separated from lesser M3 Tourings by its yellow LED headlight units, a reference to BMW's GT race cars. Four colors are available for the CS: British Racing Green, Laguna Seca Blue, Frozen Solid White, and Sapphire Black metallic.
As with past CS models, the M3 CS Touring will be a limited-production affair, although BMW didn't specify a production cap. Deliveries will start in March for customers in Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. Sadly, they will never start in America, and we'll have to wait until 2050 before we can legally import one.
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