A while back we got footage of a BMW M8 test mule with a more aggressive design, which suggested that the CSL moniker is making a return. Now, we have new footage of the car, coming straight from Nürburgringyet again. The car has had a few changes since the last time we saw it, indicating that a production version is near completion.

The 2023 BMW M8 CSL - Is This It?

As before, we see the slotted rear windows, which will let fresh air into the cabin. Because of that, there were speculations that BMW was working on a mid-engine car.

What stands out in the front end, is the grille, which has a new 3-D design and red accents. It also lacks a mesh, which is probably done for better cooling. This should hint at more power for the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8, which is expected to develop close to 700 horsepower and at least 553 pound-feet (750 Nm). The capable ZF eight-speed automatic is expected to get a new, more aggressive setting that's better suited for track days.

Changes to the front end also include a redesigned front bumper with a more pronounced lip spoiler. Those red grille accents we mentioned have transitioned to the air outlets on the front fenders, the brake calipers, and the DRLs, which glow like demon eyes. Although more than a few people are expected to do it at some point, the red DRLs probably won't make it on the production version.

Some renderings from BMWBlog show additional air extractors above the front wheel arches. However, the test car shown here doesn’t feature any. What we do get are new air outlets on the front hood, which is partially finished in what seems to be a matt-black finish or carbon fiber. The same goes for the roof of the M8 CSL.

As before, the test car shows side skirts finished in black. The same finish transitions to the sides of the new rear bumper, which has a new diffuser with a centrally-positioned taillight, like on a BMW M8 GTE racecar. The taillights are “smoked” and the trunk lid now has a tall, fixed rear wing.

For now, we can only speculate on what the interior will be like, but the lightweight track-focused M8 CSL is expected to feature lightweight glass, rear seat delete (they’ll probably charge you extra to put it back in), carbon-fiber bucket seats, and other goodies.

By all accounts, it looks like the car is nearly finished, so what we see here will be nearly identical to the production car. BMW will officially announce the M8 CSL later this year as part of its celebration of 50 years of the BMW M division.