Factory has rewarded steadfast Kiwi support for M products.

WORLD-leading support from Kiwi rev heads for high performance BMWs has been recognized and richly rewarded, with news this country is achieving what’s likely the best availability – on per capita count – anywhere of a super exclusive M3.

Munich having signed off 15 examples of the M3 CS, announced last month, for consignment here is a major success – usually, such cars would avail in single digit count, assuming the brand’s farthest-flung market even gets any kind of look in.

 However, BMW Group New Zealand managing director Adam Shaver, in highlighting the procurement in a swathe of product announcements today, says New Zealand support for big banger Beemers, and product from the M Division in particular, made all the difference when lining up for this $264,900 car. 

The count of M cars here is higher than anywhere else in the world, on per capita basis. Last year M’s accounted for one in every four of BMW’s 2512 registrations, a count which includes MINI.

Said Shaver today: “The fact we have such strong M volume … helped us in our discussions about this car and will help us for future M product.”

The car is only in production for this year and it is likely just 1000 will be made. The first is set to roll off the line in March.

The first examples should arrive in June, just a month ahead of another special M3, the Touring – the first M3 station wagon to make production. Pricing for this model has yet to be shared.

 The CS is shorthand for ‘Competition Sport’ and reflects this is an especially expressive track-fettled limited count four seat four-wheel-drive choice.

A governed top speed of 302kmh places it above the most muscled of the main M3 sports sedans, the M3 and M3 Competition, and also the M3 CSL coupe. Zero to 100kmh in 3.4 seconds and to 200kmh in only 11.1s is also claimed.

Power output from the 3.0-litre twin turbo six cylinder has been boosted to 405kW – that’s 52kW more than BMW achieves from the standard M3 and 30kW above the Competition’s output 

Maximum torque remains unchanged from the M3 Competition at 650Nm, generating from 2750rpm all the way through to 5950rpm; 300rpm short of the power peak. The limiter is at 7200rpm.

The engine has 3D-printed cylinder-head cores to improve temperature management, a trick picked up from its DTM programme, and maximum turbo boost pressure has been raised from 1.7 to 2.1 bar. The elaborate engine bay brace atop the powerplant is for dynamic enhancement - but it’ll obviously have wow-worthy status in its look, alone.

Excess exhaust pressure is sent through a pair of branched exhausts, with electronically operated control flaps, a titanium rear silencer and two pairs of matte-black tailpipes exiting beneath the rear bumper.

The M3 CS still uses an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission that operates automatically, via the sequential shift lever or through the steering wheel-mounted carbon-fibre paddles. 

The oil supply for the multi-plate centre clutch has been adjusted for more consistent track performance, while the active locking rear differential is unchanged.

The M3 CS defaults to its all-wheel drive system, but can be driven with a rear-biased all-wheel drive set-up or, with the Dynamic Stability Control disengaged, as a rear-drive sports sedan. 

The type runs 275/35 ZR19 front Michelin tyres and 285/30 ZR20 rears; that’s larger rubber than the M3 and M3 Competition, and though those cars’ active damping retains, it has been heavily retuned on the presumption of more track work. 

It also has a different anti-roll bar, retuned springs and more negative wheel camber, while the electromechanical steering has also been retuned for the fatter tyres.

 The type achieves with long-range laser headlights as standard equipment; these (and the DRLs) gives a nod to M’s motorsport origins by illuminating in yellow, rather than white, when the car starts up.

The hero hue is a green (with envy?) called Signal Green. Other colour choices are a Frozen Solid White, Brooklyn Grey metallic and Sapphire Black metallic.

The stock brake calliper colours are either red or black, but the optional carbon-ceramic brake package can be had in either red or matte-gold.

The roof, parts of the bonnet, the front air intakes, front splitter, mirror caps and rear spoiler are all in exposed carbon-fibre.

The stand-out interior amendment is a pair of unique two-piece, carbon-compound bucket seats, which are heated, heavily bolstered for track work and have an integrated head restraint.

A standard red-and-black colour scheme for the merino leather trim extends to the rear, where the doors trimmed in black leather. 

The M3 CS not only comes with all the features of its siblings, like the lap timer and drift analyser, but adds 10-stage traction control.

 The M3’s curved display screen continues to house a 14.9-inch instrument cluster and 12.3-inch multimedia screens behind a single curved screen.

Standard equipment runs to two-zone climate control, Harmon Kardon surround sound and auto braking and lane keeping.