To create its 1970s-era 3.0 CSL, BMW took a touring car design and extracted the most power possible while simultaneously shedding as much weight as it could. Nearly half a century later, BMW has relied on these same principles to deliver its all-new Competition Sports Lightweight-spec M4.
Developed by the BMW M Motorsport Division, the M4 CSL is powered by the same M TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter inline-six as the Competition-spec M4, however, its boost has been cranked up by almost 25% (to 30.5psi) which has resulted in a power output of 550hp and 479ft-lbs of torque, a 0-60mph time of 2.6-seconds, and a top speed of 191mph. Looking to provide the feeling of a race car while still lending itself to everyday driving duties, the interior of the car also gets M Carbon full bucket seats, a rear-seat delete that’s now occupied by a cargo net for housing auto racing helmets, M seatbelts, an M Alcantara steering wheel, a carbon trim package, CSL badging, and an M-specific display. A special red accent scheme also adorns the exterior and interior of the M4 CSL.
An immense focus was also placed on adding lightness — an objective that BMW accomplished by bestowing the car with a carbon fiber roof, hood, and trunk, a revised chassis, extra-lightweight M Carbon ceramic brakes, featherweight wheels, and special suspension components that collectively result in a weight reduction of 240lbs. Now boasting a curb weight of just 3,582.5lbs, the M4 CSL offers a power-to-weight ratio of 6.5lbs per hp. All of these changes and upgrades have allowed the CSL-spec M4 to achieve the fastest lap time ever for a series-produced BMW car at the Nürburgring’s world-famous Nordschleife circuit.
Production for the limited-edition 2023 BMW M4 is scheduled to begin later this summer at the Bavarian brand’s Dingolfing plant. Limited to only 1,000 units worldwide, the M4 CSL starts at $140,895.
