BMW M3 CS Touring Breaks Nürburgring Record for Touring Cars

BMW M3 CS Touring achieved a 7:29.49 lap at Nürburgring, becoming the fastest Touring model ever. Learn about specs, history, and future BMW M performance.

BMW has once again reaffirmed its mastery of track records as the M3 CS Touring set a new lap time at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife — 7 minutes 29.49 seconds. This makes it the fastest production Touring car in the history of the “Green Hell,” beating the previous record held by the 2022 BMW M3 Touring by more than five seconds.

The record lap was driven by Jörg Weidinger, BMW M’s development engineer and seasoned test driver, who had previously set benchmark laps with the M3 CS sedan and standard Touring. The new CS Touring brings an extra boost of power — 550 hp versus 510 hp in the base version — along with revised suspension and braking systems, as well as lightweight CFRP body components. These upgrades helped the car close the gap to the M3 CS sedan and approach the times of the M4 CSL and M4 CS models.

Inside, the M3 CS Touring maintains its balance between track-focused performance and everyday practicality. With a cargo capacity of up to 1510 liters and BMW’s M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, it pairs motorsport-inspired elements — carbon bucket seats, composite panels, and an eight-speed transmission with track settings — with functionality for daily use. Production is set to begin in March 2025 at BMW’s Munich plant, with deliveries planned for Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Few competitors are in sight to challenge this Touring record. The Audi RS 4 Avant and Mercedes-AMG C 63 T-Modell fall short in lap time performance, leaving the M3 CS Touring as the current pace-setter in the high-performance wagon segment. Experts cautiously predict that the upcoming hybrid V8-powered M5 Touring could be BMW’s next bid to push the boundaries even further.

The record also highlights the Nürburgring’s enduring significance for BMW M. The brand’s test center is located on-site, and over 25 years of partnership with the circuit have brought 21 victories in the 24-hour race. The latest triumph by ROWE Racing in 2025 reinforces that for BMW M, the “Green Hell” is not just a proving ground but truly a second home.