---
title: "BMW M3 CS Revealed as the Most Powerful M3 to Date"
description: "Limited to just 1,200 units, the M3 CS will come with a mild power bump and smattering of go-fast parts."
date: "2017-11-08"
modified: "2017-11-08"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/15879/bmw-m3-cs-revealed-as-the-most-powerful-m3-to-date"
categories:
  - "BMW News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "BMW"
  - "BMW M3"
  - "German Cars"
  - "luxury"
  - "luxury cars"
  - "m3"
  - "sedan"
  - "sports car"
  - "Sports Sedans"
---

# BMW M3 CS Revealed as the Most Powerful M3 to Date

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/11/p90283540_highres_the-bmw-m3-cs-e1510146845569.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

[As predicted back in July,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/12662/454-hp-bmw-m3-cs-is-coming-in-2018-report-says>) BMW has given [the M3](<https://thestore.thedrive.com/>) a power boost and a smattering of lightweight parts in order to create another limited-run model: The M3 CS.

Inheriting many of the upgrades seen in its [two-door, M4 CS sibling,](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/9450/the-bmw-m4-cs-is-a-limited-run-m4-with-a-power-bump>) the M3 CS sprints from zero to 62 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds thanks to a massaged version of the same 3.0-liter, twin-turbo straight-six that now makes 453 horsepower, nine up from the 444 hp found in a Competition Pack-equipped base M3 and the most power to come in a factory-backed M3 to date. Top speed is electronically capped at 174 mph.

![message-editor%2F1510152564686-p90283539\_highres\_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1510152564686-p90283539_highres_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg>)
**BMW AG**

For your aural pleasure, the CS is fitted with a specially-tuned sports exhaust system as standard. In the pursuit of greater canyon-and-track-carving prowess, the special edition M3 comes with an adaptive suspension setup lifted from the Competition Pack and revised settings for its stability control system and Active M differential. BMW has also thrown in a snazzy, new set of lightweight, ten-spoke wheels wrapped in semi-slick Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubbers that are totally road-legal, officer, I swear.

![message-editor%2F1510152586359-p90283549\_highres\_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1510152586359-p90283549_highres_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg>)
**BMW AG**

On the surface, the M3 CS sets itself apart with a mildly pronounced lip spoiler, chin splitter, and an interior liberally-laced in Alcantara and two-tone leather. A large CS logo is also embossed into the dashboard so your date knows exactly how much you paid for your Bavarian sport sedan. Sadly, the [seriously cool OLED taillights](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS89sUWVlFE&t=12s>) present in the M4 CS and [GTS](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/424/track-focused-bmw-m4-gts-coupe-is-a-500-horsepower-fire-hydrant>) haven't carried over to the four-door CS.

![message-editor%2F1510152610058-p90283544\_highres\_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1510152610058-p90283544_highres_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg>)
*BMW AG*

![message-editor%2F1510152618320-p90283546\_highres\_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1510152618320-p90283546_highres_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg>)
*BMW AG*

The limited-run Bimmer gets a roof and hood made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic for a lower curb weight and center of gravity, but don't mistake this for some stripped-out, track-ready special. The M3 CS keeps all of the creature comforts that make owning a practical sedan, y'know, practical such as automatic climate control, a surround sound system from Harmon Kardon, and onboard nav.

Poised to make a run at the four-door Nurburgring lap record currently held by [Alfa Romeo's Giulia Quadrifoglio,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/5141/watch-the-505-hp-alfa-romeo-giulia-quadrifoglio-set-a-nurburgring-record>) the new BMW M3 CS will be limited to just 1,200 units and will go on sale January 2018.

![message-editor%2F1510152678421-p90283541\_lowres\_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1510152678421-p90283541_lowres_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg>)
*BMW AG*

![message-editor%2F1510152687179-p90283542\_highres\_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1510152687179-p90283542_highres_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg>)
*BMW AG*

![message-editor%2F1510152670504-p90283537\_highres\_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1510152670504-p90283537_highres_the-bmw-m3-cs.jpg>)
*BMW AG*

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)