the M3 CS, available to order now in the UK, adds key performance ingredients
from 2003’s exclusive M3 CSL. The result? An even more focused M3. And, at
£43,555 on-the-road (a price premium of just £2,400 more than a BMW M3 Coupé),
the CS will appeal to those M3 customers looking for that extra sparkle without
compromising the exclusivity of M3 CSL ownership.
The M3 CS Coupé features performance-oriented CSL specification. It adds that
car’s 18-inch disc brakes, a more direct steering rack (14.5 ratio rather than
the 15.4 of the M3) and M Track Mode, the steering wheel activated system that
increases DSC thresholds.
Styling additions will also set the car apart from a ‘standard’ M3. These
include, ‘M3 CSL Design’ 19-inch light alloy wheels, steering wheel, hand brake
lever and (optional) SMG gearstick clothed in Alcantara, exclusive ‘Alu Tec’
interior trim, and exclusive ‘Interlagos Blue’ paintwork (all M3 exterior
colours are available).
All other technical and equipment specifications are as per the ‘standard’ M3
and the M3 CS is not being introduced as a limited edition. Whilst the M3 CS
adds new desirability to an ‘old’ favourite, the new boys on the block, the M5
and M6, continue to make the news.
Editor's Note: The M3 CS is the equivalent of the US-market M3 Sport Package
UK price announced for BMW M6
Fresh from its first international press drives, an on-the-road price of £79,760
has been confirmed for the 507bhp M6. This pitches the fastest ever BMW
production car firmly against the similarly priced, but slower and less powerful
Aston Martin V8 Vantage. It also makes a strong case against Italian supercars,
with performance to challenge, for example, the 575M Maranello and 612
Scaglietti from Ferrari at considerably less expense.
The BMW M5 (aka Roadmonster)
BMW (UK) has produced an atmospheric on-line animation to celebrate the launch
of the new M5 in May. ‘Roadmonster’ can be viewed at and features an M5 evading
all that a possessed highway can throw at it. Suzanne Gray, BMW (UK) Advertising
Manager, summed up the film. "M5 is such a legendary name that we wanted to take
the opportunity to highlight the new model’s capabilities. This unique piece of
film demonstrates its staggering performance in an appropriately dynamic way
that is, unfortunately, not possible through traditional media such as
television." ‘Roadmonster’ also includes a link through to BMW’s
critically acclaimed series of short films that featured Madonna, Clive Owen and
an E39 M5 in a Guy Ritchie directed film, Star. The world’s most famous female
pop star plays a clichéd ‘difficult’ celebrity, but it is the M5, with Owen at
the wheel, that is the real star.
The new BMW M5 is launched at UK dealers on 19 May priced £61,760. Current
orders are estimated to account for all of the UK’s 2005 and 2006 allocation of
cars.
BMW M5 at the BMW Power Festival
It will be a rare occasion when the new BMW M5 fails to stand out as the star of
any show, but the inaugural BMW Power Festival at Rockingham (May 21 / 22) is
pitching a host of BMW ‘legends’ head-to-head with the UK’s newest must-have
ultimate driving machine.
The public event at the Rockingham race circuit will bring together the most
exciting collection of BMW road and race cars ever seen in the UK. Highlights
will include the Williams BMW FW27 Formula One car (the first time an F1 car has
taken to the Rockingham race circuit since 2003), the BMW V12 LMR (1999 24 Hours
of Le Mans and Sebring 12 Hours winner), and the 2005 FIA World Touring Car
Championship BMW 320i. Andy Priaulx, the British winner of the 2004 FIA European
Touring Car Championship (ETCC) winner, will display his driving prowess at the
wheel of the F1 and ETCC cars.
Not to be outdone, the new M5 will be employed as pace car for all racing and
display activities and, via a lottery system, a number of lucky spectators will
enjoy the rare opportunity of flying passenger laps in the new car in front of
the crowded stands. Flying laps will also be available in a specially
constructed two-seat WTCC BMW 320i.
M5 sets the pace
Rockingham in May will not be the only circuit activity in 2005 graced by the
new M5’s presence and performance.
BMW’s most powerful road car to date will be joined by an M6 as the pace cars at
all rounds of MotoGP, the motorcycle grand prix series dubbed, "The most
exciting race series in the world". Not only will this dynamic duo be seen (and
heard) by the hundreds of thousands of spectators attending the season’s racing,
but the best qualifier over the whole series will receive an M5 from BMW.
M cars will not be the only BMW wheels in motion during the MotoGP series as
stripped-down, race-engineered versions of BMW’s newest motorcycle, the ‘naked’
K1200R, will be competing in the BMW PowerCup on the same race card. The K1200R
will be the UK’s most powerful naked sports bike when it goes on sale in June, a
clear indication of BMW’s new direction for its motorcycles.
Closer to home and the M5 is also being used as the pace car in the UK’s newest
and most exciting junior single seat motorsport activity, Formula BMW. Aimed at
the F1 stars of tomorrow, Formula BMW is an ideal first step for 15-year-olds
and above on their way to motorsport stardom, and the new M5 is showing them the
way around Brands Hatch and Silverstone.