BMW unveils ballistic M4 CS
BY COBEY BARTELS | 9th May 2024
BMW has upped the ante for its M-car range once more, unveiling the stripped-back, motorsport-inspired M4 CS – its second-fastest model ever around the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a blistering 7 minute 21 second lap time.
While BMW Australia has confirmed the M4 CS will make its way Down Under in Q4 this year, only 50 lucky buyers can get their hands on the hardcore model – and have to fork out $254,900 before on-road costs.
The latest M4 variant slots in just below its sold-out M4 CSL stablemate, which is still BMW’s quickest-ever production car around the ’Ring and shares much of its DNA with the new CS model.
For starters, the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine appears to share the same state of tune across the two track-focused models, giving the M4 CS the same 405kW/650Nm output as the CSL – a significant 15kW bump over the M4 Competition Coupe.
It is mated to an eight-speed transmission with various drive modes, one of which is a track-use option.
The GT3-inspired engine features a sleeve-free, closed-deck block designed to handle high boost pressures, housing a lightweight crankshaft and track-ready oil control for sustained high revs and lateral forces.
BMW says the cylinder head contains a 3D-printed core, enabling the coolant ducts to be routed in an optimal arrangement compared with conventional casting methods.
Manic engine aside, the M4 CS also receives lashings of carbon-fibre to cut weight from various areas around the car, including its carbon roof, bonnet, front splitter, air intakes, mirror caps, rear diffuser and Gurney-style rear spoiler. Even the exhaust is four kilograms lighter.
Of course, the diet extends to the interior with a carbon-fibre centre console, shift paddles, and other trim pieces, while M Carbon bucket seats secure occupants in an undoubtedly rigid fashion.
The total weight saving is 20kg, BMW says, which explains how it can get to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds and onto 200km/h in 11.1 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 302km/h for track days.
Dynamics are tweaked via a model-specific electronically controlled damping setup, unique wheel camber settings, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars, and an electromechanical variable steering ratio system.
The M4 CS rides on 19-inch front and 20-inch rear M Light alloy wheels shod with ‘track tyres’, which we assume is OEM-speak for semi-slicks, and M Compound brakes come standard with the option of carbon ceramic stoppers for an extra $19,000.
