The latest G81-generation BMW M3 CS Touring has clocked the fastest-ever time for a production estate car around the Nürburgring-Nordschleife with a lap time of 7:29.5 minutes.
Driven by BMW’s development engineer and record driver Jörg Weidinger, the lap eclipsed the time he set in a standard M3 Touring back in 2022 by five-and-a-half seconds.
The CS Touring’s pace partially comes from a useful 40bhp bump in power over the standard car thanks to increased boost pressure and ECU tweaks for a total output of 543bhp. Torque remains unchanged at 479lb ft.
Chassis enhancements, including stiffer engine mounts, retuned adaptive dampers and new strut braces sharpen the CS’s handling, complemented by a sharper steering rack, uprated brakes with optional carbon ceramic discs and Michelin Cup 2 rubber.
Weight has been trimmed by 15kg through the use of carbonfibre panels and lightweight bucket seats, although the CS Touring still tips the scales at 1850kg – making its sub-7:30 lap all the more remarkable. For context, that time puts it within striking distance of the smaller M2 CS (7:25.5) and just behind the M3 CS saloon (7:28.7).
‘From the very beginning, it was clear that the BMW M3 CS Touring would set new standards in dynamics,’ said BMW M CEO Franciscus van Meel of the achievement. ‘With a time under 7:30 minutes, this model impressively demonstrates that this vehicle concept perfectly combines racing DNA with everyday usability.’
Fast estate cars are becoming increasingly rare, with rivals like the Audi RS4 Avant and AMG C63 Estate recently discontinued or reimagined as plug-in hybrids. We’re glad BMW is doing its bit to keep the fast estate genre alive.
