Check Out The BMW M3 CS And M4 CSL Side By Side

If the current M3 is more your style than its BMW M4 twin, you might be in for a little bit of a wait. At least, if you were hoping for a debut of the BMW M3 CS before the coupe and its CSL trim, arrive. Now, that's based purely on rumblings and teasers from BMW. Who knows, perhaps the pair will debut around the same time?

Regardless, we've got some fresh new spy shots and some fresh new details to tide you over. BMW was also kind enough to park both cars up right next to each other for a little pre-release comparison. Both hot M cars were spotted outside (and on) the Nurburgring Nordschleife, because where else? So, let's start there.

As you can tell by the photos, the two hard-edged M cars will share a few things. Namely the front fascia. The two already have extremely similar front clips as they sit now, and it looks like some more M-branded fettling won't change that. As a result, that means unique grille inserts, which can't possibly be worse than the grilles we have now, as well as new headlights and huge front splitters. In all, they'll be pretty easy to distinguish from regular M3 and M4 models.

The car our spies captured still sported BMW's red-backed shifter paddles, which means auto only for the M3 CS, at least for now. Given the brand's willingness to include a manual for the base M3, we can't totally rule out a stick. That said, BMW M looks to be pulling a Porsche GT, using automatic gearboxes only for its most track-focused models.

We also got a peek at new BMW iDrive 8 integration in the new M3 CS. We can't imagine much from the CS will trickle down to other M3 models, but iDrive should be the exception. Refreshed BMW M3s with that will surely be hitting showroom floors soon. That aside, it appears to be unchanged from pre-production test units we've seen in other Bimmers like the X7. We also noticed the camo over the rear windows, which is strange, given that other photos show the rear seats still intact. Perhaps they're going to be buckets like in the BMW M5 CS.

As of now, BMW should be aiming for a spring 2023 debut for the BMW M3 CS. With around 540+ hp, we expect this to be a four-door track monster built to do battle with the likes of the Alfa Romeo Guilia GTA-M. However, unlike the GTA, we are going to get this one in America. Let's hope it comes with a stick.