BMW's new model onslaught continues with the announcement of the new M3 CS Coupe. Intended as a model to bridge the gap between the standard M3 and the special edition CSL it enables buyers of an M3 to specify choice components from the lightweight special.

For a premium of £2,400 over the M3, CS buyers will get bigger brakes, quicker steering, 19-inch alloys and styling modifications including bespoke colours and more sports orientated interior trim, including a "CSL design" wheel and brake lever cloaked in Alcantara.

BMW has also announced the price of the new 507bhp V10 M6, due on sale in the summer, as £79,760; a fair premium over the M5 but not bad when you consider its performance peers. BMW is citing the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Ferrari 575M and 612 as rivals, although they omit to mention the Mercedes AMG models and, perhaps its most deadly rival, the Porsche 997.

Dave Jenkins - 29 Apr 2005