Following on from the M4 CS launched locally last month, the most practical CS slots above the Competition Package as the most powerful version of the current F30 generation 3-series, in addition to being lighter than even its coupe sibling.
Limited to just 1 200 units globally with pricing yet to be announced, aesthetic enhancement to the CS above those fitted to the Competition Pack includes a redesigned front apron with new LED headlights and a simmer kidney grille, updated front bumper with wider air intakes, carbon fibre front splitter, a CS-specific M Sport exhaust with quad outlets, Gurney Flap, DTM derived Orbit Grey forged light alloy wheels measuring 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber, extensive use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic and a diffuser carried over from the M4 GTS.
Weighing in at 50 kg less than the standard M3 and 18 kg compared to the M4 CS, the M3 CS comes fitted as standard with BMW's Active M Differential, Adaptive M suspension with three modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport+), revised axle and M Compound brakes with a four-piston caliper setup at the front and two at the rear. A six-piston front and four-piston rear configuration as part of the M Carbon Ceramic setup can be had as an option.
The unique CS touches continue inside with a bespoke anthracite finished Alcantara M sport steering wheel with silver 12 o'clock marking, M3 CS branded door sills, two-tone Silverstone / Black leather interior with Alcantara, lightweight M sport seats wrapped in Merino leather with Silverstone / Black stitching and BMW M stripes incorporated into the front seat belts.
Motivation is kept unchanged from the M4 CS with the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six punching out 338 kW and 600 Nm of torque, meaning a limited top speed of 280 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Like the M4, the amount of twist is send to the rear wheels via a seven-speed M DCT gearbox.
Order books for the M3 CS will officially open in May next year although it remains unknown how many will be allocated for South Africa.
