Will this rumour about the upcoming BMW M3 CS Touring affect our friends across the ocean in the U.S.? It seems not, but we can’t help but gaze wistfully at what European enthusiasts might soon be driving. According to BMW Blog, there’s some exciting news on the horizon.
Word has it that the bigwigs at BMW have given the green light for an M3 CS Touring, set to make its debut next summer. What’s sparking our curiosity is the spy photographs shared by Motor Authority. They show an M3 Touring Competition being put through its paces, complete with a camouflaged front lip that looks remarkably similar to the carbon splitter found on the M3 CS sedan. That seems to be the only change, as the prototype doesn’t reveal other CS identifiers like a different grille mesh or yellow DRLs instead of white.
So, if this souped-up wagon becomes a reality, BMW Blog speculates it will be a limited production offering, much like other CS models, with possibly no more than 2,000 units hitting the market. Each one would follow the CS recipe, offering additional oomph from the twin turbos feeding the 3.0-litre inline-six engine, pushing power up to 543 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, a boost from the 503 hp and 479 lb-ft in the standard Competition. Expect some extra carbon fibre elements, extra structural bracing, and a modest weight reduction of around 75 pounds. And who knows, there might even be a special launch colour to make it stand out.
However, not everyone is convinced. A notable insider known as Yunguldyn on the Bimmerpost forums claims there will be just one model: the Comp xDrive. Plus, the M3 Touring is already running at full throttle, and BMW’s schedule for the next year is quite packed, even if this rumoured addition materializes. But for those who seek these exceptionally exclusive unicorns, a little waiting won’t be a bother.
Now, looking ahead to 2024, it appears the M division has a lot in store. Brace yourselves for at least seven new or updated M models, including a more potent M2 (sans the “Competition” tag), mid-cycle refreshes for the M3, M3 Touring, and M4, an M4 CS, and the eagerly awaited new M5 and M5 Touring. Surprisingly, what they won’t receive next year is BMW’s latest iDrive 8.5 and iDrive 9, as a product planner, revealed there’s no plan to introduce the new infotainment systems to these high-performance vehicles, nor to the 2 Series, 3 Series, or 4 Series. While the accountants at BMW might be pleased, it seems like the production engineers won’t be catching as much shut-eye as they’d like. Exciting times lie ahead for BMW’s M division, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on what they have in store.
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