Ru
Az
Last year, BMW celebrated its 50th anniversary in part with the new BMW M4 CSL, a lightweight, high-power special with with an iconic lineage. Now, that M3 sedan is getting some motorsport love with the 2024 BMW M3 CS, or “Competition Sport,” inspired by the German automaker’s GT3 race cars, with enough upgrades to take it right up to the limit (without going quite as far as the M4 CSL).
One could argue the new M3 CS goes far enough, with a turbocharged S58 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a forged lightweight crankshaft, 3D-printed cylinder head core, and custom oil supply and cooling systems directly inspired by the power unit in the M4 GT3 race car. In the M3 CS, the engine is good for 543 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, on par with the M4 CSL and about 40 hp more than the lesser M3 Competition sedan. It’s linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission and BMW‘s xDrive rear-biased all-wheel-drive setup.
BMW also raised the max boost pressure of the two turbos up to 30.5 psi, planted the engine on special engine mounts, and fitted the dual-branch electronically-controlled exhaust with a titanium rear silencer that saves 8 pounds. The car’s 4WD Sport mode directs even more power to the rear, and the DSC can be completely disabled for pure rear-drive fun, as well.
Top speed is electronically limited to 188 mph and the car gets to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. M Compound brakes in red or black are available, or M Carbon ceramic brakes in red or gold. The 19- and 20-inch staggered wheels get a custom V-spoke design in either gold-bronze or matte black finish, and wear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires at no additional cost, or conventional high-performance tires if not specified.
The onboard computer system also features M Drive Professional including Drift Analyzer and M Laptimer functionality, as well as M Traction Control with ten stages of intervention to be tuned to your tastes. An M Mode button can be configured to your specific driver and car settings.
Author: Justin Westbrook
Source: MotorTrend.com