For its 50th anniversary, BMW M unveils the M4 CSL. With 40 hp more and 100 kg less than an M4 Competition, the CSL is the fastest BMW in history. It will only be produced in 1,000 copies. We were able to slip aboard one of them for a tour of the owner.
In 1972, BMW Motorsport was founded and took over the development of the 3.0 CSL, the original sports car of the BMW M line, produced in only 167 units and whose initials meant “light sports coupe”. In 2002, for the 30th anniversary of M, the CSL coat of arms returned to adorn a radical variation of the M3 type E46, of which 1,383 units were assembled. In 2022, BMW M celebrates its 50th anniversary with the M4 CSL, a limited and muscular edition of the latest M4 Coupé. The CS badge having returned to BMW a few years ago with the meaning “sport competition”, CSL now means “light sport competition”.
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Dry diet
Less weight, more power and sharper ground connections; the CSL recipe has not changed. The so-called M4 has been lightened by 100 kg compared to the M4 Competition Coupé.
Its exclusive matt gray paint (white and black are also offered), reveals in places the carbon fiber of certain parts. The rocker panels, the hood and the trunk are made of this material, in addition to the roof which is already on the M4 Competition, enough to grab 11 kg.
The extremely open grille, which therefore leaves the mechanics very exposed, contributes to the slimming cure. This air intake is circled in red, a color that is found in edging on the hood, roof, front spoiler and side skirts. Also red, the LED rear lights incorporate laser lighting for the first time.
As on the M8 Gran Coupé First Edition, BMW offers yellow daytime running lights that evoke the world of competition, but also for the French the time when the hexagon imposed headlights of this color. ” I learned that while working on the car says Robert Pilsl, head of development for the M4 CSL, with amusement.
And to add: When you see it coming in the retro, it has its little effect! However, this coquetry only comes with the laser projectors and these are optional. ” We wanted the car to be the lightest in its base configuration. Laser lights add 3.5 kg “says the engineer.
Less justifiable, the logo commemorating 50 years of BMW M, replacing the standard emblem on the bonnet, trunk and rims, is also an option.
Everything must disappear
The ultra-thin carbon bucket seats have saved 24 kg. These, not adjustable, are to be adjusted to measure at the dealership. The removal of the rear seat, replaced by a hollowed-out cover to accommodate two helmets, removed an additional 21 kg. 15 kg of sound-absorbing materials have been removed. Titanium exhaust muffler saves 4.3 kg. The single-zone air conditioning and audio system supplied as standard are the most basic offered in the M4 range and even the floor mats have been refined, minor modifications allowing together to lose 11 kg. The center console is made of carbon. The specific shock absorbers, the light alloy rims (19 inches at the front, 20 inches at the rear) and the carbon/ceramic brakes remove another 21 kg.
In total, this extreme treatment lowers the weight of the coupe to 1,800 kg empty. Not really light then, especially when you remember that the M3 CSL weighed 340 kg less. But why are modern cars so heavy? ” First the cars are bigger (4.79 m long here, Ed). Next, complying with the standards means installing safety and pollution control equipment that adds weight. explains Robert Pilsl.
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A racing engine
The BMW M4 CSL gets 550 hp from its twin-turbocharged 3.0L six-cylinder engine, i.e. 40 hp more than the M4 Competition, for an identical torque of 650 Nm. This forged crankshaft unit shares many elements with its sporty alter ego which drives the new M4 GT3. The boost pressure of its turbochargers has increased from 1.7 to 2.1 bar. The transmission takes place only at the rear wheels, still via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The shift times for these have been shortened to be as fast as those of a dual-clutch transmission, according to the project manager. The engine and gearbox mounts have been stiffened. Traction control settings 6-10 (out of 10) have been changed. The differential lock always goes through the electronics.
The suspension, always adaptive, has been recalibrated and the ground clearance reduced by 8 mm. The negative camber of the front wheels has been accentuated. The rear suspension mounts are metal, and no longer rubber. Specially designed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires are available as an option. The prominent front splitter and the “ducktail” rear spoiler add aerodynamic downforce, up to 37 kg and 43 kg respectively at 200 km/h. Homologated for the road, the BMW M4 CSL is openly designed for the track.
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The most powerful of all BMWs
On the track, then, this is where the latest addition to the Munich wizards expresses its full potential. Its lap time of 3.7 seconds on the exercise from 0 to 100 km/h places it between the two- and four-wheel-drive versions of the M4 Competition Coupé. It takes 10.7 seconds to reach 200 km/h, and its top speed limited to 307 km/h makes it the fastest road-going BMW in history. BMW M demonstrated its capabilities on the famous Nordschleife (north loop) of the Nürbrugring, with a time of 7:20.207 over the complete 20.832 km course. That’s nearly 3s faster than the Jaguar XE SV Project 8, while still some 20s slower than the current Porsche 911 GT3. Over the 20.6 km length used for the records until 2019, the M4 CSL beat its predecessor, the M4 GTS type F82, by around 13 s with a time of 7:15.677. She established herself as the fastest BMW Group production car ever to run on this circuit.
It will also be one of the most expensive, with a price set at €178,000 for France. Only 1,000 of the BMW M4 CSL will be produced at the BMW plant in Dingolfing, Bavaria, from next July. 29 units are planned for the French market. The coupé makes its first appearance at the Concours d’Elegance at Villa d’Este, Italy, which is held from May 20-22, 2022.
