2024 BMW M3 CS ready to tear through Thailand

After its debut early this year – and delighting motoring enthusiasts in the Americas (known as the Competition Package) and in Europe – the 2024 BMW M3 CS finally makes its way to the region with a big launch in Thailand.

Compared to the model that inspired it, the CSL (Coupé Sport Lightweight) and its Competition Package sibling in the United States, the CS gets more power and drops its weight to become a more track-focused version of a BMW M3.

It has a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology that makes 551 PS at 6,250 RPM and maximum torque of 650 Nm at 2,750 – 5,950 RPM. Power goes to a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system via an 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic. It will go from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 302 km/h.

To bring it down from that speed, the 2024 BMW M3 CS uses an M Compound Brake system in gloss red. A matte gold M Carbon Carbon Ceramic Brake is available. The front wheels use a 19-inch M light-alloy wheel in Star Spoke Style 827 M in gold, bronze, or black, while the rear uses 20-inch wheels with race tires.

To make this vehicle as light as possible, BMW gives it carbon fiber whenever possible. It has a carbon fiber roof, hood, front air intake, front and rear skid plate, rear spoiler, center console, gear shift paddles (on the steering wheel), and interior accents. It also uses M Carbon bucket seats and a titanium muffler.

What makes the aggressive look of the M3 CS so distinctive is the frameless twin-kidney grille upfront with red highlights, a badge engraving on the upper part, and yellow BMW Laserlight headlights. The rear uses black letters contrasting with red edges.

Inside, the M3 CS uses black Merino leather with red accents, an M design interior roof in Anthracite, and an M design Alcantara steering wheel. It has a curved 12.3-inch Information Display paired with a 14.9-inch Control Display. Both monitors use a BMW iDrive system running on the brand’s Operating System 8. A Harman Kardon Surround Sound system handles the audio inside the vehicle.

CS means Competition Sport, which is why this model is lighter, faster, and more powerful than the Competition Package the US gets. Unfortunately, not everyone can experience what this vehicle offers. BMW will only make very limited numbers – our hunch is about 1,000. The fact that it is in Thailand is a good sign that the Philippines may be allocated a few units, but don’t get your hopes up too high. Better yet, ask your nearest BMW dealership if they are accepting reservations for the M3 CS before all of them are spoken for.