When BMW split the M3 into two separate models in accordance with its desire to better differentiate the 3 Series coupe and sedan, there was legitimate concern that it would give the M4 more attention than the M3. That's a sad assumption for lovers of the all-in-one track-bred daily driver that's seemed to come true as souped-up versions of the M4 have come to life in the form of the GTS and brand new CS with no M3 equivalent in sight. On the other hand, Germany's Bimmer Today is reporting that the 2018 M3 LCI will break that trend by getting the CS touch.
That'll officially turn it into a more enticing bet against the AMG C63 S, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, and Audi RS3. It's not like BMW had to do much to migrate the hardware over, but we're glad it took the time and the effort to do so. Under the hood of the M3 CS will be the same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six powerplant making 460 horsepower. Unlike the M4 CS, the M3 sedan has no GTS variant, so this engine transplant would effectively make the M3 CS the most powerful M3 of all time. Of course, the rest of the hardware will make the migration to from coupe to sedan as well. Be on the lookout for the telltale CS signs like a carbon fiber hood, OLED taillights, and a deckled spoiler and rear diffuser both made of the carbon fiber good stuff.
Up front will be a fixed front lip spoiler to match and special Pilot Sport Cup 2 performance tires from Michelin filling in some of the space between the 19-inch (up front) or 20-inch (at the rear) wheels and the wheel wells. With that kind of hardware, BMW is expecting to pull a Nurburgring lap time under 7:40 minutes. In order to get your hands on one, expect to shell out (slightly) less than the six-figure sum it takes to buy the M4 CS and find something to be occupied with between now and the M3 CS' expected spring 2018 release date. Unfortunately, 2018 will be the only year the M3 CS will be sold as an F80 chassis because 2019 will see the G20 M3 go into production if we're lucky.