Now that the current generation BMW M3 and M4 have been out for a few years, the high-performance variants are officially in full swing. Last year saw the M4 CSL be revealed, but this year BMW adds the 2024 M3 CS to the lineup. “CS” stands for Competition Sport, and if you’re already familiar with the formula for BMW CS models, this one maintains the trend. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine is massaged to produce 543 horsepower now, a 40-horsepower boost over a regular M3 Competition. Torque output remains the same at 479 pound-feet. BMW says it found the extra power by increasing boost pressure from 24.7 psi to 30.5 psi. It also features model-specific changes to the engine management software. BMW says the CS features specially-designed engine mounts for a more rigid connection between the engine and vehicle structure. As a result, throttle inputs and the transmission of torque to the drivetrain should be sharper. The CS will only be offered with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, both of which are necessary to make it the quickest M3 variant with a 0-60 mph time of just 3.2 seconds. That’s 0.2 second quicker than a non-CS M3 Competition xDrive model. Top speed is 188 mph, making the CS faster on the top end by 8 mph.
