BMW hasn’t used the historic CSL prefix for a long time, which stands for “Coupe Sport Leichtbau” (“Sports Lightweight Coupe”). The last such model in 2003 was the BMW M3 CSL of the E46 generation. And now, for the 50th anniversary of the M division, a new extreme coupe, the BMW M4 CSL, has been prepared. The key differences from the basic “emka” are reduced weight and increased power.
The 3.0 in-line biturbo engine received a new forged crankshaft and a different control unit, and the maximum boost pressure was increased from 1.7 to 2.1 bar. Compared to the engine version of the M4 Competition, the power has increased from 510 to 550 hp, although the torque has not changed (650 Nm). The BMW M4 CSL has a reconfigured eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive only.
Engineers struggled with the “extra” mass in different ways. Removing the rear sofa along with seat belts at once gave a gain of 21 kg: now there is a niche for racing helmets. Replacing the front seats – another minus 24 kg: sports carbon fiber buckets are installed, devoid of backrest angle adjustment. And height adjustment is possible only with the help of a tool.
The carbon fiber roof has been on the BMW M4 before, and on the CSL version, the hood, trunk lid and casing of the central tunnel in the cabin are also made of this material: minus 11 kg per lap. Simplified sound insulation gave a gain of 15 kg, a titanium exhaust tract – minus 4 kg. Even the chassis has been lightened: carbon-ceramic brakes, new springs, adaptive dampers and stabilizers have made it possible to shed another 21 kg. Ground clearance, compared to the Competition version, is reduced by 8 mm (up to 113 mm).
Finally, every small thing gave another 4 kg. New radiator nostrils, a reduced number of climate control ducts, plus original taillights with light tubes that are illuminated by a laser (although the main light is still provided by diodes). The running lights are bright yellow, like cars from the sixties and seventies. At the same time, all electronic assistants are preserved, such as automatic braking and lane keeping systems.
As a result, the curb weight of the coupe was reduced by exactly 100 kg: the BMW M4 CSL pulls 1,625 kg. Compared to the Competition version, the acceleration time to “hundreds” is reduced from 3.9 to 3.7 s, and the two-door picks up 200 km / h in 10.7 s. The speed limiter has been removed, so the top speed is 307 km/h. In addition, it is also the fastest BMW production car at the Nürburgring: during the tests, the factory driver drove a lap of 20.8 km in 7 minutes and 20.832 seconds.
The circulation of the BMW M4 CSL model is only one thousand copies. Their production will begin in July. The price in Germany is 165 thousand euros, while the original rear-wheel drive BMW M4 Competition coupe costs from 94 thousand.