The motoring industry quaked slightly at the news of BMW's lightweight Nürburging-honed M3 CSL. But calm returned when the facts became clearer.

Despite having an extra 17bhp and 110kg less weight to lug around, the CSL wasn't significantly quicker point-to-point than the already remarkable standard car.

And while any motoring hack worth his salt would do sick and demeaning things for a carbon-fibre roof and bucket seats, even they can see that a car whose ride is rough enough to rupture spleens at every bump would be a nightmare to use day to day. Toss in the fact that the CSL cost nearly 19 grand more than a regular M3 and you get your archetypal white elephant.

So enter the M3 CS, the more affordable alternative that will act as a run-out for the current coupe. This time it costs just £2,400 more than the M3, and for that you get several CSL additions.

No carbon roof, sadly, but the CSL's uprated brakes are there, as is a quicker steering rack and track-mode button. A few cosmetic carry-overs tart the CS up too: an Alcantara steering wheel, CSL-only 19-inch alloys and unique blue paint.

It's no quicker on paper, but the CS offers phenomenal levels of grip and stopping power to complement all that outright grunt. A more road-worthy alternative to the CSL then, and still astonishing.

Matt Master

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