New BMW M4 CSL: hardcore, track-focussed coupe revealed
May 20, 2022 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
The covers have come off the new BMW M4 CSL – the first BMW to wear a CSL badge since the M3 from the early 2000s. Read on for all you need to know.
- New BMW M4 CSL revealed
- More powerful 3.0-litre engine
- Uprated exhaust
- Lower, stiffer suspension
- 100kg lighter than the standard car
- Sporty interior upgrades
- Priced from £125,900
The new BMW M4 CSL has been revealed. It’s a track-focussed, lightweight version of the BMW M4 Competition, and it goes on sale in July.
This alternative to the Porsche 911 GT3 and Alfa Romeo Guilia GTAm get plenty of racy upgrades, as you’d expect with a starting price of £125,900.
New BMW M4 CSL design
There’s plenty to separate the new BMW M4 CSL from the standard M4 Competition, and a lot of carbon fibre.
At the front, the M4 CSL gets a new splitter, a carbon fibre bonnet with exposed carbon stripes and an altered grille with fewer slats. There are also new headlights with yellow daytime running lights, just like you get on the BMW M5 CS.
The redesigned BMW logos are inspired by the BMW Motorsport emblems of the 1970s, and CSL badge appears on the front bumper. Around the back, there’s a carbon boot lid with a ducktail spoiler, like the original BMW M3 CSL.
New BMW M4 CSL engine
The new BMW M4 CSL still gets a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six engine, like you get in the M4 Competition. However, it now has 40 more horsepower, at 550hp.
It’ll do 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the standard car, and it’ll go on to a top speed of 191mph. This is 11mph faster than the standard M4 Competition.
The CSL will only be available in a rear-wheel-drive layout, and there won’t be a manual gearbox option either. It gets an eight-speed automatic with a torque converter, and launch control.
You also get a titanium backbox for the exhaust which saves 4.3kg over the standard setup. It’s louder too, with different modes to adjust the volume.
New BMW M4 driving and chassis
There are a lot of upgrades to the suspension on the new BMW CSL over the standard M4. It sits 8mm lower to the ground and it gets adaptive dampers as standard.
The setup is a lot firmer than the normal BMW M4. There are stiffer anti-roll bars, a new aluminium strut brace up front and the rubber bushes on the rear have been replaced with metal ball joints.
The CSL is 100kg lighter than the M4 Competition thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre. To help it slow down on the track, it gets carbon ceramic brakes as standard.
New BMW M4 CSL interior
Stepping inside the new BMW M4 CSL reveals a whole host of sporty changes, most notably the seats.
They’re solid carbon buckets with a fixed backrest, and mounting points for a six-point harness. They have no heating, no lumbar support and you’ll need to go to a BMW dealer if you want to raise or lower them.
If you want to add some luxury, you can go for the Enhanced Comfort seats. These get electric adjustment and heating. There are no back seats in the CSL, but there is storage for a couple of racing helmets.
You still get the same infotainment tech as the standard car, however you get a completely different carbon fibre centre console with no armrest, saving 4kg.
When can I buy a new BMW M4 CSL?
The new BMW M4 CSL will go into production in July 2022. Only 1,000 will be made, and 10 of those will come to the UK.
Be prepared to dig deep into your pockets if you want one, prices start from £125,900.
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