The 2023 BMW M4 CSL is the third model to wear the enviable CSL (coupe sport leichtbau or coupe sport lightweight) badge The BMW 3.0 CSL, which debuted in 1972, is a homogeneous variant of the racing model. It is reported that the car won six European Championships from 1973 to 1979.
The latest CSL in memory is E46 m3 CSL. It made its debut in 2003, when BMW produced only 1358 vehicles, making the M3 CSL one of the most enviable E46 variants - if not the most brilliant E46 m3.
Now, we have BMW's third CSL car. The German carmaker has been widely promoting the M4 CSL since the beginning of 2022. Happily, the newest members of CSL series keep the slogan of "lighter, harder and faster" of their extreme driving predecessors. In addition, it also broke the lap time along the way - on the north ring circuit in Nurburgring.
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of BMW M
The brand-new 3-Series is not the only new BMW that has been painted for the 50th anniversary. However, you can see the new C4 CSL as a golden tribute to the German carmaker's high-performance M department. M department was established in 1972 to support BMW to enter the field of professional racing from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s. Since then, the M badge has faithfully represented the peak of BMW's engineering and racing ability.
The 2023 BMW M4 CSL starts with the M4 competition RWD. Next, BMW repaired the 3.0-liter twin turbocharged in-line six cylinder engine in stock and added a new cylinder head with a 3D printing core. In addition, it also has a forged lightweight crankshaft and a new indirect intercooler to release a higher boost pressure of 30.5 psi (the boost pressure of the M4 competitor is 24.7 psi), and an increase of 40 HP on the basis of the original output power of 503 HP.
The result is 543 horsepower and 479 LB ft torque, which is enough to make the new M4 CSL the most powerful legal road M4 in BMW's history. All power is transmitted to the rear wheels through the readjusted eight speed automatic transmission. The acceleration time of M4 CSL in 100km is only 3.6 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds slower than M4 competition xDrive, but faster than M4 competition RWD. The top speed of the car is electronically limited to 191 mph.
Lightweight structure
After more power is released under the hood, the most exciting part should be weight loss. The new BMW M4 CSL is 240 pounds (109 kg) lighter than the original M4 competition, which is mainly related to the wide use of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). Like the double bubble roof, bonnet and boot cover are CFRP, while the new front diverter and all carbon bucket seats also help to further reduce weight.
At the same time, M4 CSL has light alloy wheels (19 inches in the front and 20 inches in the rear) and a customized exhaust system, including titanium alloy rear silencer and m-four tailpipes. In addition, the car is also equipped with m carbon fiber ceramic brake as standard. BMW said that the carbon brake equipped with 15.7-inch front disc and 15 inch rear disc is 31.5 pounds lighter than the ordinary m composite brake. BMW also said that the M4 CSL weighs 3640 pounds (1651 kilograms), achieving a special power to weight ratio of 6.7 pounds / horsepower.
Custom chassis and record breaking certificates
The 2023 BMW M4 CSL is basically a legal track car, so BMW's M department ensures that the chassis and suspension system are commendable. Ju Laojie, M4 CSL adopts double joint spring strut front suspension and five link rear axle suspension, with specific models of camber setting, electronic shock absorber, auxiliary spring, variable steering ratio and roll bar. In addition, it also has a driving height of 0.3 inches lower than the M4 competitor. Custom features such as the cast aluminum strut bracket under the hood, the stiffer engine and transmission bracket and the reconfigured m traction control system are all for better handling on or off the track.
At this point, it sounds that the BMW M4 CSL may be a bait for a super sports car and a legal track monster on the street, and there should not be much deviation in the evaluation. In addition, BMW has a new number - 7:20.2, which makes M4 CSL a certified record breaker. BMW carried out a test with M4 CSL on the north ring track in Nurburgring. Its lap time was 7 minutes and 20.2 seconds, which was the fastest time for BMW's mass-produced car in history.
Game ready atmosphere
There are no seats in the rear of the 2023 BMW M4 CSL, but there are two m carbon full bucket seats specially developed for this model in the front. BMW said that the fixed position seat is 53 pounds (24 kg) lighter than the original seat of the M4 competitor, while the heated and electrically adjustable m carbon fiber bucket seat is optional. In addition, the standard configuration also includes a full CFRP center console, carbon fiber interior, CSL badge and Alcantara wrapped helmsman with carbon fiber paddle shifter.
Outside the car, M4 CSL adopts BMW laser headlights and unique yellow driving lights to evoke the appearance of GT racing car. Also unique is the tail lamp of M4 CSL, which uses woven glass cover and laser technology to project unique lighting characteristics.
The production of 2023 BMW M4 CSL will begin in the dingfen factory of the brand in July 2022. It is reported that the manufacturer only produces 1000 vehicles for global sales. The price of the car is $139900, with a destination delivery fee of $995.