car news

More power

BMW has thrown plenty of teasers into the world prior to the introduction of the M4 CSL, but the Germans haven’t shared anything about the specifications yet. Until now.

The superlative of the M4 Competition (510 hp) gets an extra 40 hp through higher turbo pressure (from 1.7 to 2.1 bar) and new software. This brings the power output to 550 hp. The torque of 650 Nm does remain the same as that of the M4 Competition. All the power from the 3.0-liter six-cylinder goes to the rear wheels in the M4 CSL, as xDrive all-wheel drive is not an option. As well as a manual transmission, by the way. The M4 CSL always has the eight-speed M Steptronic Sport automatic transmission.

Competition Sport Lightweight

The letters CSL are only used on super lightweight sports cars from BMW. The M4 CSL weighs 1,625 kg. It’s not really light, of course, but it does make it 100 kg lighter than the M4 Competition.

Kilos here, kilos there

The weight savings come in part from the use of lighter materials. For example, both bucket seats are made of carbon fiber, good for a savings of 24 kg. The absence of the rear seat also saves weight, 21 kg to be exact. Extra-light M wheels and carbon ceramic brakes again reduce weight by 21 kg. In addition, over 15 kg of sound-insulating material has been stripped away and 11 kg has been saved on things like the hood, tailgate and center console. The final muffler is titanium, which adds 4 kg.

Performance

The power upgrade with the weight reduction makes the M4 CSL sprint to 100 mph 0.2 seconds faster from standstill than the M4 Competition. The M4 Competition with xDrive is faster though, doing the same sprint in 3.5 seconds. That is in a straight line admittedly, because a lap at the Nürburgring the CSL does over 8 seconds faster. This makes the CSL the fastest M product ever. Furthermore, it goes from standstill to 200 km/h in 10.7 seconds and the top speed is 307 km/h. Yummy!

Undercarriage

Winning over 8 seconds at the Nürburgring doesn’t just work with more power and a lighter car. Under the skin, the M4 has been made tighter in several ways. Indeed, the M4 CSL is 0.8 centimeters closer to the ground than the M4 Competition, has a new aluminum strut bridge, reinforced engine and gearbox mounts, a sportier wheel position and revised dampers and springs.

Appearance

The M4 CSL can be ordered in three colors: the exclusive Frozen Brooklyn Grey metallic (as shown in the photos), Alpinweiß uni or Saphirschwarz metallic. Furthermore, you can recognize the CSL by the splitter, simpler grille, red accents, special taillights and, of course, the ducktail on the back.

Standard equipment on the BMW M4 CSL includes the Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers, electromechanical M Servotronic steering with variable transmission and M Carbon-ceramic brakes.

For the yellow daytime running lights, though, you have to check the Laserlight headlights on the option list. Always do, is just cool! In addition, the CSL comes with the retro BMW logos.

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Interior

The red accents of the exterior are reflected in the interior. You’ll also find the very nice bucket seats, the necessary carbon and enough CSL badges to see that you really do have something special under your butt. Steering is done with a steering wheel covered in alcantara. Holders for a helmet are installed in the rear. Furthermore, the M4 CSL still has the “old” interior of the 3- and 4-Series and not that of the recently facelifted 3-Series.

Limited edition

You’ll have to be quick if you’re interested in the M4 CSL, as there is a limited edition of 1,000 units. Starting in July, BMW will begin production of the CSL. The starting price is not yet known, but it won’t be cheap, unfortunately.