BMW Asia Injects Fans with M-Powered Thrills at BMW ///M Town
More than 600 guests witness Singapore debut of the all-new BMW M3 CS and range of BMW M vehicles under one roof.
For the first time ever, BMW Asia welcomed more than 600 guests to celebrate BMW M in Singapore like never before at BMW ///M Town 2023, an invite-only event on Saturday, 24 June 2023. Held at the decommissioned Pasir Panjang Power Station, the event began with a specially designed test drive programme for customers to put the latest BMW M and M Performance models to the test. After the sun went down, the party kicked off with special guests from Hypebeast, including energy-filled performances from Yung Raja, renowned Singaporean rapper, and acclaimed deejays Levi Oi and MYRNE.
The all-new BMW M3 CS now in Singapore.
A more power/less weight formula instils the new BMW M3 CS with compelling performance qualities and an exclusive aura. It draws its power from a specially upgraded version of the high-revving six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology developed for the BMW M3 and BMW M4 models. This 3.0-litre unit also forms the basis for the engine that powered the BMW M4 GT3 to the DTM touring car title at the first time of asking in 2022.
The engine under the bonnet of the new BMW M3 CS therefore also boasts a wealth of technological details derived directly from the race-car unit. Its crankcase has a sleeve-free, closed-deck construction and is extremely rigid, making it suitable for very high combustion pressures. The unit’s considerable upgrade potential paved the way for a 40 hp hike in peak output compared with the BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive, resulting in a thrilling 550 hp. This increase in power was achieved courtesy of targeted revisions to the engine’s M TwinPower Turbo technology and required no concessions in terms of stability or durability. The engine in the new BMW M3 CS puts peak torque of 650 Nm on tap from just 2,750 rpm and sustains it all the way to 5,950 rpm. It generates maximum output at 6,250 rpm and tops out at 7,200 rpm.
Feeding standout power onto the road to optimum effect: eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, M xDrive, Active M Differential.
The BMW M3 CS comes with the M Driver’s Package as standard and has a top speed of 302 km/h. The drive torque unleashed by the engine in the new BMW M3 CS is relayed via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. This is operated using either the M-specific selector lever on the centre console, or the carbon-fibre shift paddles on the Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel. The driver can use the Drivelogic button integrated into the selector lever to alter the transmission’s shift characteristics, with the choice of comfort-oriented, sporty and track-optimised settings.
The traction and agility of the new BMW M3 CS are both enhanced by the presence of M xDrive all-wheel drive, which uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case to ensure fully variable and super-smooth distribution of the engine’s power between the front and rear wheels. The system’s rear-wheel bias and the way it teams up with the Active M Differential at the rear axle – whose operation is also fully variable – add to the signature M feeling when accelerating or powering through corners.
Extensive, model-specific lightweight design measures play a major part in moulding the performance qualities and exclusive character of the new BMW M3 CS. The use of components made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) on the body is of key importance here. Besides its carbon fibre roof, the special-edition model also uses this lightweight, high-tech material for its bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler. Its centre console, the shift paddles on the steering wheel and its interior trim strips are likewise all manufactured from carbon fibre. The standard M Carbon bucket seats also do their bit to keep weight down in the cabin, and the titanium rear silencer shaves more than 4 kilograms off the weight of the exhaust system. The various lightweight design measures bring about a total weight saving of some 20 kilograms compared to the BMW M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive.
The vehicle’s front end sports a weight-saving, frameless BMW kidney grille with a stripped-back air reminiscent of racing machines. Designed especially for this model, identifying features include red contour lines and the “M3 CS” badging on the upper of the two horizontal grille bars. Both the model badge at the front and its counterpart on the boot lid have black surfaces with a red border.
The standard-fit BMW Laserlight headlights add another particularly striking flourish to the front end of the new BMW M3 CS. By illuminating yellow instead of white while low beam or high beam is switched on, they serve as a visual callback to successful GT racing cars.
On the inside, the new BMW M3 CS boasts the latest-generation BMW iDrive vehicle experience based on BMW Operating System 8, which includes the BMW Curved Display for the cockpit. This is formed by a 12.3-inch information display and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches, which are housed together behind a curved glass surface. With its ergonomic driver-centric positioning, the BMW Curved Display makes the already intuitive touch control even more user-friendly.
The information display’s graphical layout and the M‑style content shown there lend themselves to a focused, performance-led driving experience. All driving-related data as well as vehicle status and settings information are neatly arranged within it. Special widgets containing information on the current vehicle setup, as well as tyre pressure and temperature can be added to the control display’s home screen.