‘Sensible’ family car with a 405kW twist: BMW’s M3 CS Touring is coming to South Africa

As if the first-ever M3 Touring isn't already an enticing gift to BMW M fans around the world, the performance division has now unleashed something even more special: meet the new M3 CS Touring.

Revealed in Bathurst, Australia, on Thursday, ahead of this weekend’s 12 Hour race, the BMW M3 CS wagon is set to reach South Africa in early 2026.

As you’d expect, the M3 CS Touring offers up all the delights of the sedan version, including bespoke engine and chassis tuning and numerous lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components, but brings wagon practicality to the equation, with luggage space that can be expanded from 500 litres to a maximum of 1,510 litres.

But taking school runs to a new level of enjoyment is an extensively upgraded 3.0-litre straight-six turbopetrol engine, which shunts out 405kW at 6,250rpm, an increase of 30kW over the M3 Competition, while maximum torque remains at 650Nm.

These gains were primarily achieved by raising the maximum pressure of the two turbochargers from 1.7 to 2.1 bar, and some obligatory tinkering around with the engine management system.

The result, out on the street, is a 3.5 second 0-100km/h sprint time (a 0.1 second improvement over the M3 Competition) and the electronically limited top speed has been raised from 290km/h to 300km/h - which you, of course, shouldn’t test out unless you’re on the Autobahn and conditions allow.

Power goes to all four wheels through an eight-speed M Steptronic gearbox and a rearward-bias xDrive all-wheel drive system, which teams up with a fully variable Active M Differential to maximise agility. Drivers can choose between 4WD and 4WD Sport modes, and if the occasion calls for some drifting, there’s also a 2WD mode.

As you’d expect from something wearing a CS badge, the suspension and steering have been specifically tuned for this model, and M Carbon ceramic brakes are optional, with callipers in matt Gold or Red.

The BMW M3 CS Touring rolls on unique double-spoke M light alloy wheels, measuring 19-inches at the front and 20-inches at the back, and these rims are available in matt Golf Bronze or matt Black.

The CS is also distinguished by a unique grille, CS badging and numerous exposed carbon-fibre surfaces. Available exterior colours include British Racing Green, Laguna Seca Blue, Frozen Solid White and Sapphire Black metallic.

Extensive weight-saving measures have allowed the CS to achieve a weight saving of 15kg versus the M3 Competition Touring.

The roof, bonnet, front splitter, mirror caps, diffuser and rear spoiler are all made from carbon fibre, and you’ll find plenty of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the cabin, while the standard M Carbon bucket seats also play their part in the weight-saving crusade.

Customers seeking an even more rigid car can opt for a package that includes high-precision strut braces for the engine compartment.

“The latest new addition to the manufacturer’s most popular range builds on the success of the BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive and blends that car’s very distinctive character profile with even greater potential for emotionally exhilarating performance,” BMW's M Division said.

But with a special car comes a special price. Although that has yet to be announced, judging by the cost of the CS sedan when it arrived in limited numbers in 2023, the Touring will almost certainly set you back by more than R3 million.

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