Introduced in 2013, the 4 Series is one of the company's newest nameplates and marked the end of the 3 Series Coupe, which it replaced in the brand's catalog. The renamed two-door also adopted a new, evolutionary design inside and out, and received a lineup of brand-new and revised engines. The high-performance version was also rebadged from the M3 Coupe to the M4 and ditched the naturally aspirated V-8 engine for a turbocharged, inline-six powerplant. The M4 also brought the GTS badge back into showrooms in the form of a more powerful, track-focused, limited edition model. In 2017, the German brand launched yet another limited-edition, high-performance variant, the M4 CS.

The "CS" badge dates back to the late 1960s, when it was used for a more powerful version of the then-new BMW E9. At first called the 2000 CS, it later evolved into the 2800 CS, 3.0 CS, and 2.5 CS. The 3.0 CS spawned the iconic 3.0 CSL, a lighter, homologation special that went on to become BMW’s most iconic race car. The CSL name returned in 2004 for the M3 Coupe and it was once again brought back into the spotlight in 2015 with the 3.0 CSL Hommage concept car. Word has it that BMW dropped the L (which stands for Lightweight) from the badge since the CS isn't significantly lighter than the standard M4 (a feature reserved for the GTS). Looks for the new M4 CS to hit dealerships by the end of the year, but don't expect it to be around for too long. Much like the GTS, it should be sold out in a matter of months, if not weeks.

Updated 05/30/2017: BMW dropped a series of new images for the new M4 CS and we have to admit it looks even better in this cool Lime Rock Grey Metallic exterior paint.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW M4 CS.

2018 BMW M4 CS

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 BMW M4 CS
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 460 @ 6250
  • Torque: 442 @ 4000
  • Transmission: Seven-speed M Double Clutch
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Not surprisingly, M4 CS is heavily based on the GTS on the outside. The two share almost the same aero kit and design, with the big rear wing being the only notable element missing on the CS. However, there are a few other features that set the CS apart. Up front, there is an exclusive front splitter made from exposed carbon-fiber and a slightly revised apron with the familiar three-piece air intake. Around back, the massive wing seen on the GTS was ditched in favor of a redesigned Gurney lid spoiler for less aggressive, Club Sport look. The CS also shares the OLED taillights, the rear diffuser, and the carbon-fiber-reinforced (CFRP) engine hood and roof with the GTS.

All told, it's safe to say that the M4 CS is an M4 GTS without the motorsport-inspired wing. It's also worth noting that it doesn't come with the orange highlights on the splitter, diffuser, and wheels, which made the GTS standard out from a distance. I wish BMW would have designed more unique looking bumpers and diffuser for this car, but I guess BMW is aiming the CS at those who want a more affordable GTS rather than customers looking for something unique.

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (Inches)

110.70

Length (Inches)

183.93

Width (Inches)

73.62

Height (Inches)

54.80

Track, front/rear (Inches)

62.16/63.14

Ground clearance (Inches)

4.76


Interior

The interior is also based on the M4 GTS, combining race-inspired features with familiar M4 elements. The lightweight M sports seats are standard and come wrapped in leather and Alcantara. The door panels are made from compacted natural fibers, which give them a unique look, and feature motorsport-style pull loops instead of conventional handles. The Alcantara inserts on the center console, dashboard, and steering wheels also contribute to the sporty look of the cabin. Finally, the "CS" lettering on the dashboard is there to suggest that this is not a regular M4.

And to be honest, it's really difficult to tell the CS apart from an optioned up M4.

While BMW brags about the CS being a track-ready road car, the coupe is fitted with plenty of convenience features, including automatic climate control, a premium audio system, and navigation. While these items will be appreciated by owners looking to use the CS as a daily driver, they add weight to the car and thus prevent it from reaching the performance it's capable of at the race track.

Drivetrain

Under the hood, we find the same twin-turbo, 3.0-liter inline-six engine that's found in the M4. The unit uses two mono-scroll turbochargers, a charge air cooler, high-precision injection, Valvetronic variable valve timing, and Double-VANOS fully variable camshaft timing to crank out 460 horsepower. That's 35 horses more than the standard M4 and 10 horses more than the M4 with the Competition Package, but accounts for a 33-horsepower deficit compared to the M4 GTS.

In addition to the extra oomph, the control systems for the Adaptive M suspension, DSC, Active M Differential, and the setup of the electromechanical steering have been modified to suit the revised dynamics.

Sprinting from 0 to 62 mph takes 3.9 seconds with the standard dual-clutch automatic transmission, which makes the CS a tenth-second quicker than the M4 with a similar setup. On the other hand, it's a tenth-second slower than the GTS, the quickest road-legal M4 to date. Top speed is set at 174 mph, 19 mph more than the norm for most BMW M vehicles. On the flipside, it's 15 mph slower than the M4 GTS.

Needless to say, BMW was careful enough to place the CS right between the standard M4 and the GTS.

Tested on the famous Nurburgring track, the M4 CS lapped the Nordschleife section in 7:38 minutes. This benchmark makes it the second-quickest Bimmer on the ’Ring, after the M4 GTS, which is around 10 seconds quicker. The CS is on par with the Lexus LFA and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and slightly quicker than the McLaren Mercedes SLR and the previous-generation Porsche 911 GT3. Impressive!

Drivetrain Specifications

BMW M4 CS

BMW M4 GTS

Engine

twin-turbo, 3.0-liter inline-six

twin-turbo, 3.0-liter inline-six

Horsepower

460 HP @ 6,250 RPM

493 HP @ 6,250 RPM

Torque

442 LB-FT @ 4,000-5,380 RPM

442 LB-FT @ 4,000–5,500 RPM

Transmission

Seven-speed M Double Clutch

Seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic

0 to 100 km/h (62 mph)

3.9 seconds

3.7 seconds

Top Speed

174 MPH

189.5 MPH

Weight

3,483 Lbs


Chassis and Suspension

The suspension of the new BMW M4 CS largely mirrors that of the M4 with Competition Package. The links and wheel carriers at both the front and rear axles are made from forged aluminium, while the Adaptive M suspension comes standard. The coupe rides on light-alloy wheels designed exclusively for the M4 CS, measuring 19 inches up front and 20 inches to the rear. The rims are wrapped in semi-slick, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires as standard, but the CS can also be ordered with Michelin Sport road tires at no extra cost. Stopping power comes fade-resistant M compound brakes with four-piston calipers at the front and two-piston calipers at the rear.

Suspension, front

Adaptive M suspension with aluminium double-joint spring-strut axle and M-specific elastokinematics

Suspension, rear

Adaptive M suspension with five-link axle in lightweight aluminium construction

Brakes, front

M compound brakes, vented, with four-piston fixed callipers

Brakes, rear

M compound brakes, vented, with two-piston fixed callipers

Driving stability systems

Standard: DSC incl. ABS and M Dynamic Mode, CBC (Cornering Brake Control), DBC (Dynamic Brake Control), Dry Braking function, Start-Off Assistant, Active M Differential linked to Integrated Chassis Management (ICM)

Safety equipment

Standard: airbags for driver and front passenger, side airbags for driver and front passenger, head airbags for front seats, three-point inertia-reel seatbelts on all seats with belt stopper, belt latch tensioner and belt force limiter

Steering

Electric Power Steering (EPS) with M-specific Servotronic function


Prices

The BMW M4 CS is priced from €116,900, which represents a whopping 52.4-percent premium over the base M4. U.S. pricing information is not yet available, but given that the M4 retails from $66,200, the CS could start from around $100,900. For reference, the M4 GTS, which was limited to only 700 units, came in at $134,200 before options.

Competition

Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe

For some reason, Mercedes-Benz isn't as excited as BMW when it comes to special-edition model with extra aerodynamic features. The Germans did release a DTM-inspired Edition 1 model, but that version is long gone. However, due to the fact that AMG C63 is available with two power outputs, the standard model, but with the beefed-up version of the 4.0-liter V-8, is more than suited to give the M4 CS a run for its money. Sold as the C63 S, the range-topping variant comes with 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. It needs 3.8 seconds to hit 60 mph, which makes it as quick as the M4 CS, while top speed is limited at a very German 155 mph. Pricing starts from $75,000, which makes the Merc significantly less expensive than the M4 CS. On the other hand, the AMG C63 Coupe isn't as exclusive as the Bimmer.

Find out more about the Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe here.

Conclusion

All things considered, the M4 CS is yet another way for BMW to try and satisfy a small number of customers looking for a more powerful M4, but without the track-ready features and pricing of the GTS. Whether such a car makes sense or not remains to be seen, but in an era when most carmakers are trying to fill all sorts of small niches, everything is possible and everything can be justified one way or another. To some extent, the M4 CS also represents an update to the standard M4, which is significantly less powerful than its main competitor, until the next-generation coupe hits the streets.

Update History

Updated 01/12/2017: The upcoming BMW M4 CS was caught testing once again, this time during cold weather conditions in Sweden.

Spy Shots

January 12, 2017 - BMW M4 CS caught testing in the snow

September 26, 2016 - First testing session