BMW M3 CS Touring makes Bathurst debut

THE BMW M3 CS Touring has made its world premiere at the legendary Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit – the scene of this weekend’s Bathurst 12 Hour endurance motor race.

It is the first time BMW has hosted a global unveiling of a new model in Australia since the German marque began its official local operations in the country more than 45 years ago.

The occasion comes as BMW M records its highest-ever sales total in Australia in 2024 with a 14.7 per cent increase compared with 2023. That result meant Australia was ranked fourth worldwide for the share of BMW M registrations in the total sales mix.

As the latest addition to the BMW M line-up, the M3 CS Touring builds upon the success of the BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive that launched here in 2023.

It offers the same on-board space and practicality as its derivative, but with “dynamic driving characteristics that can be experienced on both the racetrack and in numerous everyday driving situations”, says BMW.

Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder petrol engine with additional boost pressure to output 405kW (+15kW) and 650Nm. It channels power through an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission and M xDrive all-wheel-drive.

The engine is cradled on specially designed mounts aimed at fostering an “exceptionally rigid connection between the engine and the vehicle’s structure”. BMW says the change ensures even sharper engine response and a “direct transmission of its power to the drivertrain.

BMW claims a 0-100km/h time of just 3.5 seconds and an impressive 0-200km/h time of 11.7 seconds. Top speed is set at 300km/h.

The BMW M3 CS Touring is further enhanced by an active M-specific exhaust system with titanium rear silencer, a bespoke stability control system tune, and model-specific adaptive damper, steering, and braking calibrations.

Body rigidity is further increased by the M front end strut brace in the engine compartment.

The model is halted as standard by M Compound brakes with callipers finished in red. Customers can also opt for M Carbon ceramic brakes as an option (+$19,000), the callipers of these are also finished in red.

Riding on M light-alloys in an exclusive double-spoke design the M3 CS Touring offers staggered 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels in the choice of matt gold bronze or matt black finish.

The model is further accented by the use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps and rear diffuser, as well as in the centre console, steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, and M Carbon bucket seats.

BMW says the various lightweight design measures bring a total weight saving of 15kg when compared with the M3 Touring Competition with M xDrive.

Four paint finishes are available including British Racing Green, Frozen Solid White, Laguna Seca Blue, and Sapphire Black Metallic.

Model-specific cabin highlights include electronically adjustable and heated front seats, an M Alcantara steering wheel in a three-spoke design, and additional CS badging on the centre console, head restraints, and sill plates.

The BMW M3 CS Touring further includes “elements to precisely tailor the driving experience”, including an M-specific Setup button on the centre console for configuring the engine, chassis, steering, brakes and M xDrive, and M Drive Professional, integrating track-optimised functions such as M Drift Analyser and M lap timer.

Infotainment and instrumentation duties fall to 14.9- and 12.3-inch screens respectively, joined by BMW Live Cockpit Professional which, alongside the BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific content, brings the cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps, smartphone integration and telephony with wireless charging.

“The world premiere of a new BMW model is significant for any market and the fact we have been selected for the launch of the M3 CS Touring is an honour while highlighting the importance of Australia in the global context,” said BMW Group Australia chief executive officer Wolfgang Buechel.

“Record-breaking sales results for BMW M again show that Australians are true appreciators of cars with emotion and performance.

“However, it also highlights that our strategy – with support of our dealer partners – is hitting the mark and delivering compelling solutions, of all powertrain types, to our customers.”

Customer deliveries of the BMW M3 CS Touring are expected in the middle of 2025, with pricing from $253,900 plus on-road costs.

2025 BMW M3 pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.