The BMW M3 Touring is about to become more exciting with the addition of another model: the M3 CS Touring. This track-focused premium compact station wagon was recently spotted doing the usual rounds at the Nurburgring, revealing more visual details.
But then again, we already know what to expect. You see, this is the five-door version of the BMW M3 CS, and it gets the same hot stuff. This includes the visual details, chassis setup, and so on.
It has the same yellow daytime running light signature, a design trait that further separates it from the regular BMW M3 Touring. The CS variant comes with a reinterpreted large double kidney grille and a new bumper with a chunkier apron attached. The rear bumper and diffuser combo are aggressive.
Since it was scooped in motion while attacking the famous German racetrack, we can't spot the pattern of this pre-production tester's wheels. However, it still has yellow brake calipers behind them, just like the previous scooped prototypes. It underwent a few chassis revisions, too, compared to the regular BMW M3 Touring.
Photo: Baldauf
The Competition Sport (CS) has two bucket seats for the front passenger and driver, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, carbon fiber paddle shifters, and it retains the rear bench. Expect additional carbon fiber trim, a curved iDrive screen, and a few other bits and bobs that will further separate it from the less extreme variant.
Just like the BMW M3 CS, the M3 CS Touring boasts 543 horsepower (550 ps/405 kW) and 479 pound-foot (650 Nm) of torque. It has the same tuned 3.0L straight-six twin-turbo engine that's paired with an 8-speed auto 'box and rear-biased all-wheel drive. The 0 to 62 mph (zero to 100 kph) should be a 3.5-second affair given that the M3 Touring takes 3.6 seconds and the M3 CS Sedan 3.4 seconds.
That's barely enough to make a difference to the average Joe and justify the hefty premium. However, future owners could brag about their ride being significantly faster than the normal M3 Touring, especially at the racetrack. Buying one will automatically put you in an exclusive club of less than 2,000 members, as that's how many copies are expected to see the light of day.
Since the M3 Touring is not sold in the United States, neither will the M3 CS Touring. BMW's M Division will keep it away from our shores. However, on a more positive note, the M5 Touring will apply for a US visa. It will take on the Audi RS 6 Avant with an electrified 4.4L twin-turbo V8, reportedly producing over 700 horsepower. The M5 Sedan and M5 Touring are expected to debut this July, and both will be available in the New World.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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