BMW's Family Car Has Just Set a New 'Ring Record That No Wagon Has Achieved Before | Carscoops

      The M3 CS Touring has officially become the fastest production estate to complete a lap at the Nurburgring.

      

       6 hours ago

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       by Thanos Pappas

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      The BMW M3 CS Touring set a record at the Nurburgring with a lap time of 7:29.490.

      Jörg Weidinger, an engineer from BMW M and a hillclimb champion, was behind the wheel.

      With a power output of 543 hp, the twin-turbo inline-six engine provides all-wheel drive through the M xDrive system.

      In a market saturated with speedy wagons and exclusive editions, some records still manage to stand out. The latest Nurburgring lap time from BMW draws significant attention, highlighting an unexpected hero in the M lineup: a powerful long-roof vehicle capable of carrying groceries and breaking lap records.

      Following the M2 CS's achievement as the fastest compact car at the Nurburgring with a time of 7:25.5, BMW’s performance team returned to the track to verify another CS model. The M3 CS Touring finished its lap of the Green Hell in 7:29.490, making it the fastest estate to ever tackle the circuit.

      A Record-Breaker

      This lap time is 5.5 seconds quicker than the standard M3 Touring, which previously held the record with a time of 7:35.060 since 2022. In comparison to other BMW M models, the high-performance midsize estate is only slightly slower than the M3 CS sedan (7:28.760), but it can't compete with the lighter M4 CS coupe (7:21.989) or the more aggressive M4 CSL (7:18.137).

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      The record-setting lap occurred on a sunny day in April; however, BMW kept it under wraps until now. Jörg Weidinger, a former racing driver and hillclimb champion, piloted the M3 CS Touring and became the first to break the 7:30 mark for an estate at the Nurburgring.

      

      

      

      Practicality Meets Precision

      Earlier this year, the BMW M3 CS Touring was introduced as a more performance-focused variant of the M3 Touring, featuring enhancements to performance, chassis, and aerodynamics. Its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine generates 543 hp (405 kW / 550 PS), which is distributed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s rear-biased M xDrive system. The vehicle also boasts revised suspension geometry and upgraded brakes, with carbon ceramic discs available as an option.

      BMW claims the M3 CS Touring can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 3.5 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). However, it's not just about figures and lap times; the wagon offers between 500 and 1,510 liters (17.7–53.3 cubic feet) of cargo space, depending on the seating arrangement.

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      Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, stated: “From the very beginning, it was clear that the BMW M3 CS Touring would set new standards in dynamics. With a time under 7:30 minutes, this model impressively showcases how this vehicle concept seamlessly integrates racing DNA with everyday practicality.”

      BMW has also released an onboard video of the complete lap at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which you can view below. It remains to be seen if another estate will rise to challenge this record. The upcoming Audi RS5 Avant seems to be a possible rival, whereas the larger, heavier M5 Touring is expected to operate in a different performance category.