2023 BMW M3 CS photos leak ahead of schedule

Photos of the 2023 BMW M3 CS sports sedan have appeared online ahead of its formal unveiling next weekend – and the start of production in March.

Posted to social media platform Instagram by users @wilcoblok and @kero_wolf, the images show the M3 CS will blend elements of the hardcore, two-door M4 CSL with the latest BMW M3 four-door's larger body.

The front end of BMW's new M3 CS has been plucked from the M4 CSL, sharing the coupe's new red-accented grille inserts, larger carbon-fibre lower splitter, yellow daytime-running lights, and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic bonnet with twin stripes.

It also shares the M4 CSL's 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, red brake calipers – expected to clamp carbon-ceramic discs – and fitment of a carbon-fibre roof panel. The tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 race-track rubber.

However, the M3 CS goes without the CSL's body-coloured 'ducktail' spoiler – and instead can only distinguished from a standard M3 Competition by a red-accented M3 CS badge on the boot lid.

It's unclear how much weight the M3 CS will save over the standard model. The M4 CSL is 100kg lighter than the car it's based on, but the weight-saving measures on the M3 CS aren't as dramatic.

Inside, changes visible include an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel with a red top-centre marker, and the M4 CSL's carbon-fibre centre tunnel with a small padded armrest in place of a console storage box.

The seats are black leather-trimmed and red-accented versions of the M Carbon sports buckets in the regular M4 Competition – rather than the CSL's ultra-lightweight seats with fixed backrests, and height adjustment that can only occur with a tool kit in a workshop.

Unlike the M4 CSL, the M3 CS sedan's rear seats haven't been deleted – but it is unclear if it will switch from five to four seats, removing its middle seating position, as the larger M5 did in its transition from Competition to CS trim.

As reported by Drive, the BMW M3 CS is expected to use an uprated version of the M3 range's 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 'xDrive' all-wheel drive.

The engine is expected to produce 405kW – matching the M4 CSL, and up 30kW on the standard M3 Competition sedan.

The 2023 BMW M3 CS will be revealed on the weekend of the Daytona 24 Hour motor race in the US later this month, from 28 to 29 January. Stay tuned to Drive for more details.

Production is due to commence in March – which, if the car is confirmed for Australia, could translate to first showroom arrivals mid 2023.