BMWis powerful M department I don’t plan on getting any more intense C.S Versions of its SUVs were added to its range and reserved for passenger cars instead.
The CS models – meaning “Competition Sport” – are the top models currently offered in BMW’s M division, and are priced and performed above the standard M and hotter Competition variants.
CS versions of the BMW M2, BMW M3 Touring and BMW M4 are currently available in Australia. The latest model – the M2 CS – starts at $172,900 (excluding on-road costs).
The treatment typically brings more power and torque with less weight for quicker acceleration and a higher top speed, combined with carbon fiber tie-downs and CS-specific elements, including unique body and alloy wheel designs.
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It is currently not offered for any SUV worldwide, but is limited to the sedan, coupe and touring (BMW language for station wagon) body styles.
SUVs have become mainstream offerings for performance and sports car brands, with the most popular Aston Martin being the DBX SUV, while Ferrari and Lamborghini have SUVs in showrooms in the Purosangue and Urus respectively.
Although the most powerful BMW is an SUV – the XM uses a 550kW version of the V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain used in the M5 sedan and wagon – M boss Frank van Meel says the CS name will not be applied to SUVs.
“At the moment we are sticking with the lower cars because it was the more logical approach, especially when you look at our tradition with GTS and CSL,” the BMW boss said in a phone call with Australian media Daily Sparkz.
“We always had an M3 or an M4 as a full CS model, so we stuck with the lower models,” he added.
“I don’t see CS venturing into the SUV segment in the near future.”
Rival Porsche offers performance models for its Cayenne and Macan SUVs, but doesn’t include the extreme, driver-focused GT3, GT2 and RS models it offers for its 911 sports car in its SUVs.
The X5 M Competition and models remain below the flagship XM
The X5/X6 Competition manages the 0-100 km/h sprint in a CS-like time of 3.8 seconds, matching the more powerful (but heavier) XM label.
The top speed of all three high-performance SUVs is 290 km/h when equipped with the M Driver’s Package; The maximum speed of the XM Label in pure electric operation is 140 km/h.
For comparison: With its twin-turbo inline six-cylinder petrol engine, the M2 CS accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 302 km/h.
While the idea of CS SUVs may be shelved, the M boss hasn’t ruled out the M badge appearing on an off-road model – Lamborghini and Porsche have dabbled in this area in recent years – which could be linked to a yet-to-be-confirmed rugged BMW SUV expected in 2029.
MORE: Explore the BMW X5 showroom
