BMW has unveiled the new M4 CSL, a two-seater version of the M4 Competition that was built in celebration of the M department’s 50th anniversary.
The CSL gets unique chassis upgrades, a model-specific engine setup, and exclusive equipment that was specially selected to suit the sports car’s purpose, which is track dominance.
As a result, the special-edition M4 posted the fastest lap time ever recorded by a series-production BMW around the Nürburgring Nordschleife – 7 minutes and 20.207 seconds.
Competition, Sport, Lightweight
The new M4 CSL – CSL being short for Competition, Sport, Lightweight – accomplishes an astounding power-to-weight ratio of 4.01kg/kW, providing “the ideal platform for a dynamically sublime driving experience,” said its makers.
Weight-reducing enhancements comprise full M Carbon bucket seats that save 24kg, the removal of the rear seats and seatbelts along with modifications to the loading bay which save another 21kg, as well as fitment of a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) bonnet, roof, boot lid, and centre console saving a further 11kg.
Moreover, the manufacturer removed the bulk of the sound insulation and switched to ultra-lightweight materials to take away 15kg; installed a titanium rear silencer cutting 4kg from the exhaust system; modified the grille, lights, floor mats, and climate control to cut down another 4kg; and made chassis changes including the addition of extra-lightweight M Carbon ceramic brakes and special light-alloy wheels, springs, and struts, removing a substantial 21kg.
Altogether, this cuts down the weight of the standard M4 Competition by 100kg to achieve a kerb weight of 1,625kg for the CSL.
To optimise the body rigidity of the new CSL, BMW has fitted cast aluminium front-end strut braces “developed entirely from scratch” and tuned the axle kinematics, wheel camber settings, dampers, auxiliary springs, and anti-roll bars.
Thanks to standard-fit adaptive M suspension and a model-specific damper setup this M4 is also 8mm lower than its siblings, while the M integrated braking system offers the driver an excellent pedal feel, said BMW.
With knowledge gained from the production of the M4 GT3 race car, the M4 CSL’s powerplant was then reworked to provide “a major hike in power without having to make any concessions in terms of stability or durability.”
The 3.0-litre, in-line six-cylinder, petrol engine gets two mono-scroll turbochargers and specific tweaks to generate a monumental 405kW and 650Nm – 30kW more than the Competition.
Drive is transmitted to the rear wheels only via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, while the twin-tailpipe exhaust with electrically-controlled flaps provides an emotional sound experience.
With this high-tech equipment, the CSL can tear up the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds and continuing at full bore will see it reach 200km/h in 10.7 seconds.
Ferocious styling
The M4 CSL certainly looks the part of a road-legal track star, largely thanks to a body that is painted in Frozen Brooklyn Grey Metallic as standard, highlighting the exposed carbon-fibre indents and red accents on the bonnet.
Additionally, it boasts unique CFRP front splitters and air-curtain inserts, a CFRP roof with two fins, CFRP side sills, black model badges, tail-light glass covers with woven light threads, and a ducktail spoiler.
As an option, customers can also spec the new CSL in Alpine White solid or Sapphire Black metallic.
Despite its hardcore personality the limited-edition M4 is still rather luxurious inside, offering a range of comfort-focused features to make it usable on public roads, too.
Along with the M Carbon bucket seats, owners are spoiled with an M Alcantara steering wheel, Merino leather finishes, M seat belts, automatic airconditioning, all-round parking sensors, front collision warning, lane departure warning, speed limit info, and CSL badges on the seats, centre console, and rear panel.
Also standard are the BMW Live Cockpit Professional package bringing a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment display with M-specific applications such as a drift analyser, lap timer, and three dynamic drive modes.
However, since its home remains the racetrack it sees a helmet-storage compartment where the rear seats used to be, as well as a track-optimised M Traction Control system with 10 settings.
Dual-zone climate control, yellow BMW Laserlights, an alarm, and the driving and parking assistant programmes are also available at an additional cost.
South African availability
BMW South Africa has confirmed that 15 out of the 1,000 examples of the M4 CSL that will be built are destined for the local market, with the first units expected to arrive in the fourth quarter of this year.
Production for the special edition is slated to begin in July 2022 at the company’s plant Dingolfing, Germany.
BMW M4 CSL
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