The new BMW M3 CS Touring has just set a Nurburgring lap time record (of course it has) by being the quickest factory wagon around the challenging circuit.
In the hands of Jörg Weidinger, BMW M engineer and record driver, the new performance wagon went around the circuit in 7:29.490. That makes it the quickest wagon – or ‘touring’ in German language – to ever lap the track in the “compact category” of production vehicles.
It shouldn’t really come as a surprise as the M3 CS is a fairly hardcore package in itself, with the Touring element simply adding the wagon body formula – possibly the coolest car on sale? It is the ultimate vehicle for those interested in doing a track-day crawl (like a pub crawl but visiting different race tracks).
Power comes from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six engine producing 405kW and 650Nm, sent through an M xDrive four-wheel drive system with a rear-wheel drive setting available. Acceleration across 0-100km/h takes a claimed 3.5 seconds, with 0-200km/h done in 11.7 seconds – it is one of the quickest wagons on sale as well.
Various weight-reduction measures are also applied compared with the regular M3 Touring, with carbon fibre trimmings, console and sections of the dash resulting in a 15kg saving. It’s not much, but the interior does offer plenty of luxuries and creature comforts as well. Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, said:
“From the very beginning, it was clear that the BMW M3 CS Touring would set new standards in dynamics. With a time under 7:30 minutes, this model impressively demonstrates that this vehicle concept perfectly combines racing DNA with everyday usability.”
And yep, being a wagon, you have plenty of boot space. Up to 1510L, in fact, or 500L in the default seating layout. The special model is on sale in Australia as a limited edition, priced from $253,900 (excluding on-roads). Check out the full lap video below for more.
