BMW M has released detail and images - and allowed Drive a sneak in-person peek - of its much anticipated M4 CS, a car that not only broadens the appeal of the M4, but also triggers a strengthening of the M brand in general.
The new CS badge ushers in a whole new strata within BMW M, and the CS-badged models, of which there will be many more to come, sit above the `mainstream' M models (if such things exist) and the Competition versions. Above the CS models remain the top-shelf cars BMW M refers to as it `brand-shapers'.
In the M4's case, that positions it between the $154,900 M4 Competition, and below the almost-$300,000 M4 GTS.
So what is a BMW M4 CS?
It uses the same twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine seen is the basic M4 package, but with even more power. The reality is that the powerplant in the CS is actually the same as the one in the GTS with only the water-injection system missing.
Output has been boosted to seven kiloWatts above the M4 Competition but, tellingly, torque has been bumped a huge 50Nm for a total of 600Nm.
With the standard even-speed DCT transmission as the only fitment, BMW claims a 0-100km/h time of sub-four seconds (3.9) yet the combined fuel consumption figure is an impressive 8.4 litres per 100km.
A lower-restriction exhaust system has been fitted, retaining the M4's trademark four exhaust tips, but now with carbon-fibre-and-stainless tips.
Brakes consist of four-piston calipers at the front gripping steel rotors with twin-piston calipers at the rear while a carbon-ceramic compound rotor option is available which ups the ante to six-piston front calipers and four-piston rears.
Wheels are a new 10-spoke, lightweight, forged design with 9 X 19 front rims and 10 X 20-inch rears clad in Michelin Cup Sport tyres.
Suspension has been firmed up in terms of both springs and dampers and the carbon-fibre strut-brace from the GTS has been fitted.
BMW has also gone to great lengths to pull weight out of the car. As a result, the roof, bonnet, body-kit and even the single-piece driveshaft have been constructed from carbon-fibre.
The bonnet also features the rearward-facing coop of the GTS and, over the standard steel unit, saves about 10kg alone. The door trims have been made from compacted natural fibres (for a truly unique look) and feature fabric loops (also borrowed from the GTS) rather than solid pull-handles.
Alcantara also features heavily.
All up weight of the M4 CS is now 1580kg.
It all seems to have paid off, too, and the inevitable Nurburgring hot-lap saw the M4 CS complete the circuit in 7 minutes, 38 seconds, just 10 seconds slower than the M4 GTS.
The M4 CS goes into production soon and will be built in limited numbers (probably between 2000 and 3000) until 2019.
We can confirm that Australian deliveries should start in the last quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, Australia got 12 examples of the GTS (all of which were pre-sold) but there's still no word on how many M4 CSs we'll get or how they'll be priced. And it's anybody's guess, because somewhere between $154,900 and $300,000 is a pretty big target.
That said, in Germany, the M4 CS will retail for ?111,000, while the basic M4 is around ?30,000 cheaper. Although whether that translates directly to a roughly $208,000 price-tag for the M4 CS in Australia, which has traditionally taken highly-specced versions, is anybody's guess at the moment.
Either way, it's tempting to think of the M4 CS as a slightly hotter version of the M4.
But now, having seen it in the flesh and witnessed just how many GTS components have made the jump to the CS, we'd be inclined to approach it as an M4 GTS with slightly fewer race-track aspirations.
9 Comments
Mylo | 2017-04-19 08:28:10
Looks good. BTW. Pretty sure Australia got 25 M4 GTS' not 12.
TFJ100 | 2017-04-19 12:30:02
Or, you could save yourself $50k and buy a Giulia QV...
MickSD | 2017-04-19 20:31:59
It's a parts-bin mutt for a slow selling model. It sits above the regular M, but below the top shelf M? So it's more Southern Comfort than Bundy Rum or Glenlivet? Can't wait until we have 12 variations of the M4, all with exactly 1.5kws more than the model below and all spaced two seconds apart on the 'ring. I can imagine the sales execs at BMW desperately trying to show growth by slicing the same segment into ever smaller pieces and forecasting the extra two sales a year the niche within a niche within a niche, will bring. Really great there is finally now a perfect model for those who love the GTS' reverse scoop but object to water sprays on environmental grounds.
Garrath | 2017-04-19 22:37:31
Yes, buy the Alfa and save your accountant a whole of work in 3 years time when they go to count your money. Then again the extra work determining the remarkable depreciation could be interesting? ?
Bethel Thunderpatch | 2017-04-19 23:36:31
I've heard it all now. Can't justify the M4 being better than the Giulia by any meaningful measure so now it's depreciation. Better go and buy a Camry Sportivo instead.
Prof A | 2017-04-20 01:35:25
Ummm...I just want one!
Garrath | 2017-04-20 01:56:36
I am Italian and I still wouldn't buy the Alfa. I had one and learnt a very expensive red lesson! Be my guest and go ahead...maybe even cross-shop against those other great residual value holders such as citroen, peugeot and Renault : )
Herman the German Car Lover | 2017-04-20 12:29:28
I probably wouldn't buy one although it looks brilliant. I have a regular 2015 F80 M3 with a a Burger S55 Stage 1 tune installed. The car makes around 350 Kw and it can be a docile car or an absolute weapon depending on one's preference. I love the M3 and I am a speed freak but honestly, its too powerful to use on the road with any responsibility. I don't think there would be much perceptible difference in any road driving between my M3 in sport plus mode and an M4 GTS. The M3 makes me grin every time I drive it.
Herb Mayo | 2017-04-21 02:32:25
If I were to suddenly have the money, I would immediately order a brand new M2, in manual! I had the pleasure of seeing a black one in the flesh at my local BMW dealer (while collecting my car from service). Wow, it was low and wide and dark and sinister and aggressive, and oh so sexy. Photos had not done it justice. I think I would prefer its size over the M4. I often think about that car!