With its next-level power and intelligent lightweight design,
two-seater configuration, model-specific chassis upgrades and
equipment features selected specially for the job at hand, the new
BMW M4 CSL has track driving as its raison d’être. The genes the
M4 CSL shares with its competition-spec sibling, the BMW M4 GT3, are
also reflected in its performance attributes. In a record-breaking run
on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit, the BMW M4 CSL posted the
fastest lap times ever for a series-produced BMW car. Its official and
notarised lap time for the 20.832-kilometre / 12.943-mile circuit (the
complete lap) was 7 min. 18.137 sec. Acceleration figures of
3.7 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) and 10.7 seconds for the
sprint from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) are similarly impressive. The BMW
M4 CSL has an electronically governed top speed of 307 km/h / 191 mph.
“Competition, Sport, Lightweight”: a recipe with a rich tradition.
The stripped-back racing character of the BMW M4 CSL is underpinned
by a time-honoured concept that harnesses cutting-edge development
expertise and the latest technology to create an enthralling end
result. “CSL” stands for “Competition, Sport, Lightweight”,
referencing the critical role of weight-minimised design in achieving
success in motor sport. The BMW 3.0 CSL developed by BMW Motorsport
GmbH according to this same principle won the European Touring Car
Championship at the first attempt in 1973. And the M4 CSL is also
following in the tyre tracks of successful special-edition models from
earlier generations of the BMW M3/M4, most notably the legendary BMW
M3 CSL from 2003 and the BMW M4 GTS unveiled in 2016.
For BMW M GmbH, the world premiere of the new BMW M4 CSL at the
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este (20 – 22 May 2022) will be one of the
highlights of its 50th anniversary year. Production of the
special-edition model will begin – in a limited run of exactly
1,000 examples – at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in July 2022.
Present and correct in the fundamentals and the details:
intelligent lightweight design in the BMW M4 CSL.
Its talent for innovation and racing-car know-how enabled BMW M GmbH
to restrict the special edition’s DIN kerb weight to 1,625 kilograms.
A standout power-to-weight ratio of 2.95 kilograms per hp (4.01 kg/kW)
provides the ideal platform for a dynamically sublime driving experience.
Fitting M Carbon full bucket seats reduced weight by around
24 kilograms on its own compared with the standard seats fitted in the
BMW M4 Competition Coupé. 21 kilograms were saved by removing the rear
seats and seat belts, integrating a partition and making the
associated modifications to the luggage compartment. And chassis
changes, including the addition of extra-lightweight M Carbon ceramic
brakes and special light-alloy wheels, springs and struts, lowered the
figure by around another 21 kilograms. Paring back the amount of
soundproofing plus switching to ultra-lightweight sound insulation
saved around 15 kilograms, while the use of components made from
carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) deducted some eleven kilograms.
For example, in addition to its CFRP roof, the bonnet and boot lid of
the BMW M4 CSL are also hewn from this lightweight high-tech material,
as is its centre console. And a titanium rear silencer cuts more than
four kilograms from the weight of the exhaust system. Detail
modifications to areas such as the BMW kidney grille, rear lights,
floor mats and automatic climate control shave off another four kilograms.
Exclusive exterior paint finish, model-specific design features.
The body of the BMW M4 CSL is painted in the exclusive Frozen
Brooklyn Grey metallic as standard. This exterior shade teams up with
exposed carbon-fibre surfaces and red accents to create a visually
expressive appearance of sporting purity. Alternatively, customers can
specify their new M4 CSL in Alpine White solid or Sapphire Black metallic.
The carbon-fibre structure of the body components is visible in
various areas, including the two chiselled indents in the bonnet. The
surfaces of the indents – which are not painted in body colour – are
highlighted additionally by red outlines. Red accent lines also bring
extra emphasis to the two fins on the CFRP roof of the new BMW M4 CSL,
the contours of its side sills, the black model badges, and the
model-specific CFRP splitters and air curtain inserts in the front apron.
BMW Laserlight: yellow headlights and innovative rear lights.
The optionally available BMW Laserlight headlights bring another
head-turning accent to the front end of the new BMW M4 CSL. Both in
the welcome effect triggered when unlocking the doors and when the low
and high beam are switched on, these headlights illuminate in yellow
rather than white, bringing to mind the look of successful GT racing cars.
The LED rear lights of the new BMW M4 CSL are equipped as standard
with technology making its debut in a series-produced car. Their glass
covers have intricate light threads woven into them which are
illuminated using laser technology, bringing a vibrant structure to
the surface of the lights. This creates a highly distinctive light
signature that is recognisable from a long distance during the hours
of darkness.
Six-cylinder in-line engine with race-focused character.
The model-specific power unit of the BMW M4 CSL is based on the same
high-revving, six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo
technology found in the BMW M4 GT3 racing car. Its substantial
performance reserves enabled a major hike in power without having to
make any concessions in terms of stability or durability. Key to this
power boost was an increase in the maximum charge pressure of the two
mono-scroll turbochargers from 1.7 bar to 2.1 bar and model-specific
tweaks to the engine management. The BMW M4 CSL’s engine develops peak
torque of 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) between 2,750 and 5,950 rpm. Its maximum
output of 405 kW/550 hp is produced at 6,250 rpm.
The race-derived design of the 3.0-litre engine is focused squarely
on high revs and maximum power development. The crankcase’s
sleeve-free, closed-deck construction helps to make it extremely
rigid, while the forged lightweight crankshaft allows it to handle
extremely high levels of torque. Another special M-specific feature is
the cylinder head core made using 3D printing techniques.
Both the cooling and oil supply systems are designed to handle the
particular challenges presented by track driving. The twin-tailpipe
exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps and weight-minimised
titanium rear silencer additionally generates a racing-car-inspired,
emotionally engaging engine note created especially for the new BMW M4 CSL.
The drive torque produced by the engine is relayed to the rear wheels
of the new BMW M4 CSL via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission
with Drivelogic. Model-specific mountings for the engine and
transmission ensure the engine’s power is translated into dynamic
performance in exceptionally rapid and direct fashion. The firmer
connection of the engine and transmission to the car’s structure is
clearly perceptible, especially under hard driving.
Optimised body rigidity, model-specific chassis technology.
Like the engine in the new BMW M4 CSL, its chassis technology
benefits from a wealth of detail upgrades – which have been tailored
to the power unit’s performance characteristics. These modifications
also factor in the substantial reduction in vehicle weight at play
here and the model-specific improvements to body rigidity, allowing
the blend of handling agility, dynamism and precision for which BMW M
cars are renowned to be taken to new heights.
In the engine compartment, a composition of front-end strut braces
developed entirely from scratch raises the body rigidity of the new
BMW M4 CSL up another level. Using numerical models, the geometry of
the cast aluminium elements between the spring strut towers and the
front end has been adapted precisely to the forces exerted in
different driving situations.
The individually tuned axle kinematics and model-specific wheel
camber settings, dampers, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars
optimise steering precision, transmission of lateral control forces
when cornering, spring and damping response, and wheel location. The
model-specific wheel suspension is accompanied by a drop in ride
height of eight millimetres compared with the BMW M4 Competition
Coupé. Also to be found on the standard equipment list for the
special-edition model are adaptive M suspension with electronically
controlled dampers, electromechanical M Servotronic steering with
variable ratio and M Carbon ceramic brakes. An M-specific version of
the integrated braking system offers the driver excellent pedal feel
even when pushing the dynamic limits and in adverse road conditions.
M Traction Control optimised for the track.
The standard-fitted M Traction Control function with model-specific
track tuning lets the driver set individual intervention thresholds
for wheel slip limitation. On dry surfaces, stages 1 to 5 of
M Traction Control help the driver to execute controlled drifts.
Stages 6 to 10 are based on the application developed for touring car
racers and make allowance for both surface conditions and tyre
temperature to maximise traction and directional stability.
Also specified as standard are forged M light-alloy wheels in an
exclusive cross-spoke design (19 inches at the front axle and
20 inches at the rear). These are fitted with high-performance tyres
specially developed for the special-edition model in size 275/35 ZR19
(front) and 285/30 ZR20 (rear).
Equipment designed to provide a race-car feeling and everyday usability.
Model-specific equipment features give the BMW M4 CSL a distinctive
balance between sports car purism, unrestricted everyday usability and
exclusive premium substance. The M Carbon full bucket seats for the
driver and co-driver are marked out by their self-supporting CFRP
structure and purposeful rejection of comfort-enhancing features. They
have a fixed backrest angle, forward/back adjustments can be made
manually, and the seat height can only be adjusted in a workshop using
a three-stage screw linkage. The M Carbon full bucket seats also have
detachable head restraints and allow the integration of a six-point
belt system.
The M Alcantara steering wheel, anthracite-coloured headliner, Carbon
Fibre interior trim strips, “CSL” badges on the seats, centre console
and rear panel, plus M-specific displays also help to create the
perfect on-board setting for concentrated driving pleasure. Merino
leather trim with extended features and M seat belts are also
standard. Two helmet storage units can be found in the rear compartment.
The M-specific control/operation system includes the M Setup button
for direct access to numerous vehicle settings and two M buttons on
the steering wheel for storing preferred configurations. Standard
equipment also features the M Drive Professional system including
M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer, plus the M Mode button for activating
the ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings.
The likewise standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional comprises a fully
digital screen grouping made up of an instrument cluster with a
12.3-inch screen diagonal behind the steering wheel and a 10.25-inch
control display. Among its functions are the navigation system BMW
Maps, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, smartphone integration,
telephony with wireless charging and a Wi-Fi interface. The BMW
Head-Up Display with M-specific elements and the BMW Drive Recorder
can be ordered from the options list.
The range of comfort-enhancing features and driver assistance systems
fitted in the BMW M4 CSL are focused on the essentials, in keeping
with its intelligent lightweight design approach and puristic vehicle
concept. Standard specification includes automatic climate control,
Park Distance Control, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning
and Speed Limit Info. Two-zone automatic climate control, an alarm,
and the Driving Assistant and Parking Assistant systems are available
as options.
