- BMW M3 CS Touring prototype spotted testing at the Nurburgring.
- Latest prototype has yellow DRLs, as seen on new M4 CS coupe.
- Power is increased to 543 hp, delivered to all four wheels via a compulsory automatic transmission.
When BMW revealed the M3 Touring in 2022, many of us felt like we’d just seen the world’s greatest all-round performance car. I mean, what more could a car nut with a need for space want? How about a CS Touring?
BMW dropped the harder, lighter, faster M3 CS sedan last year and since then we’ve been waiting for the automaker to apply the same upgrades to the wagon variant. Last month it was the M4 coupe’s turn to get the CS treatment, meaning the CS Touring debut must be right around the corner.
Related: 2025 BMW M4 CS Is A More Sensible CSL, But Does It Hit The Sweet Spot?
Early CS wagon prototypes wore standard M3 lights and grilles, only the jutting front splitter with its upright corner dive planes giving the game away. But the last time we spotted one it had adopted the correct CS grille with its widely-spaced horizontal bars, and this week it’s showing off the yellow DRLs that are exclusive to CS and CSL models.
A mix of transparent and swirly disguise on the lenses makes it look like only the outer section of the light is yellow, but having already seen the M4 CS in production spec we can be sure that there’s a second yellow section in the middle of the light currently hidden by camo.
A recent facelift raised the output of standard M3 and M4 cars from 503 hp (510 PS) to 523 hp (530 PS), but like its yellow-eyed two-door cousin, the M3 CS will adopt the same 543 hp (550 PS) version of the S58 3.0-liter six first seen in the M4 CSL.
The M4 CSL was, however, rear-wheel drive and equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The M3 and M4 CS come only with an eight-speed automatic and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system, though that lets the driver switch to rear-wheel drive mode on demand, giving the best of both worlds, weight penalty excepted.
Other upgrades over the stock M3 Touring will include a cast aluminium strut brace and suspension tweaks designed to make the hotter wagon feel sharper. We’re not expecting the Touring to get a carbon roof like the coupe and sedan do, however.
One rumor we reported on previously suggested that BMW will build fewer than 2,000 CS Tourings due to capacity limits at the factory, which will only make the cars that do make it to market even more desirable. Sadly, the CS wagon is off-limits to US buyers, who’ll have to save up a few more dollars for its M5 Touring big brother which will be offered in America.
