Every time BMW announces a new M Performance model, the motoring community sits up and takes notice. After all, these are some of the best sports cars around and they usually have a major influence on how other companies develop their cars. Back in 2020, we had already started speculating on what the upcoming BMW M3 CS could look like, and we even managed to get our hands on a few spy pics showing off the special Club Sport M3 with its unique wheels and heavily camouflaged exterior. Speculation as to the M3 CS' power outputs has also been running wild, but we think we're finally narrowing that figure down, and it's a big one.

When the new M3 CS arrives sometime in 2022 or 2023, it will join a highly-accomplished family of sports cars and will sit above the M3 Competition, but under the upcoming M4 CSL. The M3 CS will also join its other CS siblings, the M2 CS and the mighty M5 CS. To maintain the order of things, BMW has to carefully balance the performance of these cars so they all bring a unique driving experience to the table, and according to sources close to BMW Blog, the 2023 BMW M3 CS will produce a solid 540 horsepower. That's nearly 40 more ponies than you get in the M4 Competition, and just 10 shy of what's expected from the M4 CSL.

The M3 CS will make use of the same turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six S58 motor that has been used in other M models. With 540 hp on tap, the 2023 BMW M3 CSL will be significantly more powerful than the previous M3 CS offering. That car produced 453 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. Over and above the power increase, expect the M3 CS to be lighter than the standard M3 thanks to lots of carbon fiber bits, and don't expect a manual, rear-wheel-drive version. According to reports, the CS will only be available in AWD flavor with an automatic transmission. Production should start in spring 2023 after the 3 Series facelift is revealed, which could have a further impact on how the M3 CS will be styled. We also expect the M3 CS to benefit from all the latest iDrive 8 goodies, including a large curved display. More details are expected soon.