- M3 CS Touring will arrive in NZ mid-year.
- Heady $80k premium over existing M3 Competition Touring.
- Second CS model to be confirmed for NZ this year.
When the M3 CS Touring was launched at Bathurst in January (yes, an international launch in Australia), BMW New Zealand was firm on the model not being destined for Kiwi roads. Until it wasn't.
It has now confirmed that the more potent, lighter-weight version of the M3 Competition Touring will indeed join the local lineup, with customer delivieries mid-year. It has not disclosed its allocation, but we do know the price: $279,900, or a heady $80k more than the "standard" Competition Touring.
What are you getting for that? Read our launch story from January here for the full details, and check out the infographics in our Gallery below. But to recap, the CS's 3.0-litre straight-6 engine has higher-boost turbochargers and unique management, raising power 15kW to 405kW.
The engine is on special mounts that makes the structure of the car even more rigid. There's also a CS-specific exhaust system, and the traction control/drive modes are calibrated to be more effective for track driving.
Part of the Competition Sport ethos is lower weight, and the M3 CS Touring uses carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) all over, including the bonnet, front splitter and rear diffuser. It all saves 15kg - not a lot, but some.
The interior features M Carbon bucket seats and model-specific trim/badging.
The M3 Touring CS is the second BMW Competition Sport to be announced for NZ this year. The M2 CS coupe is also on the way, with a 390kW/650Nm powerplant (up 37kW/50Nm) and with 30kg weight saved over the standard M2. It will cost $206,900.
