A sporting tribute

BMW HAS UPGRADED ITS M3 TOURING ESTATE CAR INTO A SPEEDY, LIGHTWEIGHT HEAD-TURNING CS VERSION

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BMW has taken its M3 Touring one step further with a lightweight CS version. But does it feel like a new model or just a special-edition with a handful of aesthetic upgrades and a bigger price tag. We investigate.

WHAT IS IT?

BMW has produced several different upgraded versions of its performance cars over the years. One of the latest is the M3 Touring, which has been tweaked to turn it into the CS.

Standing for "Competition Sport", this latest addition is the first time the CS badge has featured on one of BMW's Touring or estate cars. We've been behind the wheel to see what has changed over the standard car.

WHAT'S NEW?

Some elements of the CS remain the same as the standard M3 Touring. You've still got the large, practical, estate car bodystyle and space for five people inside.

There have been some revisions to the M3's engine but you've also got a revised suspension setup with cast aluminium strut braces for improved rigidity. There's a lightweight exhaust system with a titanium silencer, too, helping to lower the weight.

WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?

You'll see that the M3 CS Touring has a 3.0-litre, straight-six engine and think that nothing has changed but that's not quite the case. You now get 542bhp over 523bhp, with a zero to 60mph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 186mph - 12mph more than the standard M3 Touring.