Few circuits carry the respect and sheer street cred like the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The 20.8-kilometer “Green Hell” is where both performance and driver skill are pushed to the limit. This is where only the fastest cars create headlines, and now, BMW has raised the bar again with the M3 CS Touring, the fastest station wagon to lap the Nürburgring with a lap time of 7 minutes, 29.5 seconds.
The Nürburgring & BMW M: A Legendary Partnership
The Nürburgring Nordschleife is arguably the toughest and most revered proving ground in the automotive world. Stretching over 20.8 kilometers, packed with more than 70 corners, severe elevation changes, and a relentless combination of high-speed straights and technical bends, the Green Hell demands razor-sharp responses, balance, and raw performance from both car and driver.
For decades, automakers have used lap times here as the ultimate validation of engineering, handling, and endurance. In addition, it’s a great marketing tool as well — who wouldn’t want to own a car that went faster than all the others at the most challenging racetrack? A fast Nürburgring lap shows a car’s prowess in braking, cornering, and handling under pressure. Setting a record here is one of the greatest achievements in the motoring world.
For BMW M, the Nürburgring is far more than a testing ground — it’s the heart of the brand’s racing heritage and engineering mastery. In over 25 years, BMW M has claimed countless wins, including 21 at the famous 24-hour race, proving its dominance in endurance racing. At the nearby BMW M Test Centre, every M model is perfected before reaching the road or track.
BMW was recently in the news, taking the fastest lap time with the M2 CS, and now, the M3 CS Touring’s record lap is the latest chapter in this legacy.
A New Benchmark For Performance Wagons
The M3 CS Touring is built to make a statement. Mixing BMW M’s racing know-how with everyday usability, it’s quick on the road and deadly on the track. Its 7:29.490 lap time smashed the old M3 Touring’s 7:35.060.
For perspective, this lap time matches some serious sports cars like the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS and Ferrari 599 GTB. Honestly though, the M3 CS Touring looks better on the limit, and it has enough room in the back for airport runs and weekend family getaways.
BMW M3 CS: Beneath the Bonnet
The M3 CS Touring is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six engine with 543hp and 650Nm, the same as the M3 CS sedan. It sends power to all four wheels through BMW’s M xDrive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission, sprinting from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 300km/h when equipped with the M Driver’s Package.
BMW cut weight, using carbon fiber for the roof, hood, splitter, and rear diffuser, with optional carbon bucket seats for an even sportier feel. Semi-slick tyres and a stiffer adaptive suspension sharpen handling, while M Dynamic Mode keeps the car stable and ready for every corner.
The Complete Package: Fast, Fun, and Functional
BMW M CEO Franciscus van Meel called the M3 CS Touring the “One Car Solution.” This is a vehicle that feels at home whether you’re blasting through Nürburgring’s brutal corners or cruising comfortably through your daily commute. Inside, the M3 CS Touring combines a driver-focused cockpit with modern tech and plenty of practicality, offering 500 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,510 litres with the rear seats folded.
Such duality is rare: most track-bred machines sacrifice livability for lap times. But the M3 CS Touring fuses the best of both worlds, showcasing BMW M’s commitment to building vehicles with real-world usability without sacrificing a shred of their dynamic prowess.
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