Looks like BMW is hard at work turning the M4 into an even meaner track rocket
by Alina Moore, on LISTEN 02:51We have reason to believe that BMW will offer a hardcore, lighter, and potentially more powerful version of the current M4 coupe. Firstly, the previous M4 was further distilled into such a variant and secondly, a set of spyshots sent in by our photographers shows a couple of interesting test mules.
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2023 BMW M4 CS/CSL
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The cars we’re talking about flaunt a beefier front splitter as well as and extra winglets, making them more aggressive but at the same time, these add-ons have aerodynamic purposes. Following the same note, the rear spoiler and diffuser are also enlarged, while the multi-spoke wheels hide what we think are carbon-ceramic brakes.
While we can’t confirm it, the prototypes seem to sit on a lowered suspension setup and the rear exhaust looks like it’s of the titanium variety. This is the best indicator that the incoming M4 CS or/and CSL is going to shed some weight compared to the regular M4.
Rear seat deletion could also be on the table, but it’ll be interesting to see how BMW M manages to slim out the CS/CSL, since the M4 Competition already features a carbon-fiber roof. However, if we look at the M5 Competition – M5 CS duo, the latter came with all-carbon-fiber-everything, from the hood to the side mirrors, and on to the bumpers – maybe the M4 CS/CSL will get the same treatment. By the way, the M5 CS is about 70 kilos (154 pounds) lighter than the M5 Competition.
To add fuel to the fire, a new entry on the Bimmerpost forums suggest that the M4 CSL will enter production in July 2022. If we look at previous CSL-badged cars, we can safely assume that BMW will assemble the incoming model in limited numbers, perhaps not more than 1,500 units.
Power-wise, we’re expecting a bump but don’t expect major increases. In the M4 Competition, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six mill produces 503 horsepower, so we might see the CS/CSL with 520 horsepower, maybe 530 horsepower but not more.
The CS and CSL monikers were born in the 1970s with the introduction of the then-new BMW 3.0 CS and 3.0 CSL as part of the E9 generation of vehicles. CS stands for Club Sport or Clubsport, according to BMW Blog. What’s more, CSL marks a thoroughly tweaked CS model and comes from Coupe Sport Leichtbau (Coupe Sport Lightweight).
There’s also a CSi badge that is derived from CS and stands for the presence of a 3.0-liter direct-injected gasoline engine instead of the carbureted mill found in the original CS.