The 2023 BMW CS has been revealed after images were leaked earlier this week, with the Munich brand’s Australian arm having already confirmed the model for a limited arrival late this year.
The headline figures for the M3 CS have been confirmed for Australia, with pricing set to start from $249,900 before on-road costs, and an arrival slated for the second half of 2023, following the launch of other M cars like the new generation M2, the first BMW M3 Touring to arrive in Australia, and the BMW XM, the first M car built bespoke by M since the BMW M1 from the 1970s.
The M3’s 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine has been given a significant power boost, up from 375kW in the M3 Competition to a stonking 405kW, with 650Nm of torque available from 2750rpm all the way to 5950rpm.
Power peaks at 6250rpm and tops out at 7200rpm, helped by an increase in turbocharger boost pressure from 1.7 to 2.1 bar (24.7psi to 30.0psi).
Combined with a series of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) elements replacing standard components like the bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler, as well as a carbon-fibre roof, BMW has made the M3 CS 20kg lighter than the standard variant.
More power and less weight, as well as the use of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system, results in a faster car – the CS can hit 100km/h in a claimed 3.4 seconds, compared to 3.5 seconds for the AWD M3 Competition.
Visually, aside from its carbon-fibre elements, the CS is notable for its decals and the yellow illuminated laser headlights, which pay homage to the M3 touring car racers that share the same headlight tint.
Inside, M Carbon bucket seats and a series of CS trim elements seperate this from a ‘standard’ M3.
Keyword: Is the M3 Competition not enough? BMW lobs lighter, more powerful M3 CS!