BMW M fans rejoice, as the high-performance division of the Bavarian car maker isn’t quite finished with the ‘G82’-generation M4. If you missed out on one of the 1,000 units of the hardcore, two-seat M4 CSL, or found it a little too extreme for your preferences, you may be happy to hear that there’s a new BMW M4 CS going into production this summer.
Tasty recipe shared with the BMW M3 CS
If you know what makes up an M3 CS, then you’ll appreciate the new M4 CS’s technical package, too. It uses the same M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, eight-speed M Steptronic automatic gearbox and upgraded twin-turbocharged straight-six. It’s essentially the same engine as in the CSL, with higher turbo boost pressure and remapped software. It produces up to 550hp and 650Nm of torque, while the M4 CS uses its traction advantage to record a 0-100km/h time of just 3.4 seconds - 0.7 seconds faster than the rear-drive CSL manages. Oh, and its mountings are stiffer than in the regular M4 to enhance response and a feeling of connection.
No doubt it sounds suitably stirring through the special exhaust system using a titanium rear silencer and electronically-controlled flaps to alter the sound depending on driving mode and driver preference.
Lots of carbon fibre for weight reduction
Keeping weight down is carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, door mirror caps, rear diffuser and Gurney-style rear spoiler. Inside are lightweight carbon bucket seats and a stripped back centre console. BMW quotes an overall weight reduction of 20kg - when compared with the BMW M4 Competition Coupe with M xDrive.
Though the M4 CS retains its rear seats, the rest of the cabin is quite special, with lots of carbon detailing and a bespoke red-and-black colour scheme. This car’s interior differs from that of the M3 CS in places because the 4 Series line-up has been recently upgraded. There are new air vents, for example, plus the latest infotainment software, though the most obvious change is the use of a flat-bottomed steering wheel. It’s trimmed in Alcantara and uses a red 12 o’clock marker.
Other delicious details
Some of that carbon fibre is left exposed to make sure you don’t miss the M4 CS go by, and its presence is helped no end by the new ‘Frozen Isle of Man Green metallic’ paint shown here. The less attention-seeking may prefer the Riviera Blue solid finish matched with the matt black versions of the unique alloy wheels. These - 19-inch up front, 20-inch at the back - forged rims can be had in ‘Gold Bronze’ as pictured instead and are fitted as standard with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres or optionally with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R. Buyers can go for less extreme tyres for no extra cost.
In terms of lighting, the M4 CS benefits from yellow illumination up front, alluding to GT racing, while the rear lamps from the CSL are carried over using Laserlight tech and fibre optics to give them a highly distinctive appearance.
In theory, the first examples of the M4 CS could hit Irish shores before the end of the year but given the price tag will be €213,870, we don’t expect to see many.