If the M4 Competition wasn’t already blazingly fast, BMW has now unveiled a unique, track-focused, high-performance version of the performance coupe with significant weight reduction and added power. The 2023 BMW M4 CSL debuts as the renowned “M” performance brand celebrates 50 years with the Bavarian luxury automaker. According to BMW, the global production of the M4 CSL would be capped at just 1,000 units. The CSL variant of the M4 Competition really laps the Nordschleife circuit of the Nurburgring faster than any other series-production BMW in history thanks to enhancements over the M4 Competition. Over 8 seconds faster than the M4 Competition, which recorded a lap time of 7:28.5 at the 20.8 km circuit, was the M4 CSL, which recorded a lap time of 7 minutes and 20.2 seconds.
BMW increased the M4 CSL’s power output from the M4 Competition by 40 horsepower, bringing the engine’s total output to 543 horsepower. 649 Nm of torque is produced by the engine, and it is available between 2,750 and 5,950 rpm. An 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic transfers power to the M4 CSL’s rear wheels. The new BMW M4 CSL has an electronically regulated peak speed of 191 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (96 kmph) in 3.6 seconds (307.4 kmph). Additionally, BMW boosted the boost pressure in the CSL from 24.7 to 30.5 psi, up from 24.7 psi in the M4 Competition. According to the manufacturer, it weighs 240 pounds (108.8 kg) less than the vehicle it is built on. This has been made possible by the use of lighter M Carbon full bucket seats, the elimination of the rear seats and seat belts, the integration of a wall separating the cabin from the trunk, modifications to the chassis, such as the installation of M Carbon ceramic brakes, as well as forged light-alloy wheels, springs, and struts.
To keep the M4 CSL’s weight under 1,605 kg, a few additional modifications were made, such as using ultra-lightweight sound insulation, using CFRP components on the exterior and interior of the vehicle, swapping the standard exhaust for a titanium unit, changing the kidney grille, rear lights, floor mats, and automatic climate control, as well as changing the CFRP roof and bonnet. The car’s center console structure is likewise entirely comprised of carbon fiber. Specifically designed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, measuring 275/35 ZR19 up front and 285/30 ZR20 at the rear, are mounted on forged M light-alloy wheels for the new BMW M4 CSL. The 2023 BMW M4 CSL, a high-performance coupe with a starting price of $139,900, is scheduled to go into production in July of this year (without shipping).
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It reaches the speed cap.
To see what the new BMW M4 Competition coupe was capable of, the AutoTopNL YouTube channel borrowed one and drove it on an open stretch of the autobahn. Sao Paulo Yellow, a brilliant, highlighter-like tint, is used in this one.
A twin-turbo 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine powers the M4 Competition with 503 horsepower (375 kilowatts) and 479 pound-feet (650 Newton-meters) of torque. With the optional M Driver’s package, the peak speed is electronically regulated at 180 mph (290 km/h), according to BMW, and it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.8 seconds. If not, the top speed is 155 mph (250 kph).
The M4 Competition xDrive, which can reach 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, turns out to be quicker than what BMW claims.
German automakers are well renowned for being a little conservative with their performance figures in order to make sure that buyers and critics are never dissatisfied. BMW’s M4 Competition xDrive, meanwhile, has been criticized by Car & Driver for being overly conservative.
The publication discovered that the all-wheel-drive sports coupe could reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.8 seconds, which is far less time than the automaker said it would need to do so when the vehicle was first introduced in 2021.
Even as it hits highway speeds, the M4 Competition xDrive is still outstanding. At a speed of 125 mph (201 km/h), the car was able to finish the standing quarter-mile in exactly 11 seconds. That’s 0.6 seconds faster than an M3 Competition driving only the rear wheels could achieve in C/D testing, demonstrating the advantage of all-wheel drive right out of the gate.
In contrast, a normal M4 with rear-wheel drive and the manual transmission could only hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.8 seconds and completed the quarter-mile sprint in 12.1 seconds.
Contrarily, the M4 Competition is only offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is coupled to a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that is capable of producing 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque and 503 horsepower (375 kW/510 PS), though BMW may also be being conservative there.
IND Distribution tested a regular M4 on their dyno in March 2021 and discovered that it was capable of producing up to 547 horsepower (408 kW/555 PS) at the crank. This is 44 (33 kW/45 PS) more than the Competition and 74 (55 kW/75 PS) more than the regular vehicle.
It should come as no surprise that the car performs better on the track than BMW had predicted.
The M4’s acceleration to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds and top speed of 155 mph are comparable to supercars from the recent past. The time of 8.6 seconds to reach 100 mph is the most impressive statistic, though.
Modern M3 and M4 models are extremely speedy vehicles. In our own tests, the vehicle reached 100 mph in in 8.6 seconds, matching the acceleration of a Ferrari 430. According to BMW’s own published statistics, vehicles with optional DCT gears can accelerate to 62 mph from a complete stop in just 4.2 seconds. Although the six-speed manual version behind the DCT model in acceleration terms—getting to 62 mph in 4.3 seconds instead—it is still a very respectable time for a rear-wheel drive, 1595 kg vehicle.
According to BMW, the lighter, more potent M4 GTS with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in under 3.8 seconds. However, we managed to clock a time of 3.7 seconds and a 0-100 mph time of 7.8 seconds.
While the increase in horsepower over the previous E92 M3 coupe may not be as significant as you might anticipate, the acceleration numbers are unquestionably superior. According to our timing equipment, the old, normally aspirated M3 coupe, for instance, needed 10.3 seconds to reach 100 mph.
The new car’s sophisticated launch control system helps it leave the starting line as rapidly as possible each time. The driver can modify the system to fit the grip levels.
All variants save the GTS include an electronic top speed limiter that caps the speed at 155 mph.
The soulful, high-revving V8 of the earlier models may not be there in the most recent model, but the use of turbocharging has elevated it to a higher level of performance. The new model feels much faster in usage because it has far more torque, which makes it both faster off the line and significantly more accelerative through the gears.
Performance – Engine, Transmission, and Other
A magnificent 3.0-liter inline-six with twin turbochargers that is available in three power levels powers the M4. The base model has 406 pound-feet of torque and 473 horsepower. It is paired with a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. In our tests, this configuration reached 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and finished the quarter-mile at 121 mph in 12.0 ticks. The Competition edition is even faster with 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, but there is only the option of an eight-speed automatic transmission. Only the M4 Comp can be fitted with a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system to make up for the lack of a stick-shift option. With this equipment, the all-wheel drive M4 Competition coupe achieved a 60 mph time at our test track that was 2.8 seconds faster than the regular car. The last model is the 1000-unit-only M4 CSL, which has an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive and produces 543 horsepower. Every M4 has electronically regulated exhaust systems that become louder in Sport and Sport Plus drive modes, as well as adjustable brake pedal feel and adaptive dampers. The M Sound button can be pressed at any moment to reduce the volume. BMW also offers a disproportionate number of customizable drive-mode choices, which in our opinion may muddie the driving experience that BMW’s engineers intended. Thankfully, the M4 Competition’s time in the driver’s seat demonstrated its tenacious acceleration, amazing cornering grip, and steadfast stability. We’re also pleased to note that BMW has enhanced the steering feel of the coupe, though don’t anticipate it to provide the same level of feedback as any two-door Porsche. The M4 Competition and CSL variants have staggered sets of 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels, in contrast to the ordinary M4’s 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels. The M4 can be ordered with a set of fade-resistant carbon-ceramic brakes and has a carbon-fiber roof that lowers its center of gravity.
A BMW M4 can travel how fast?
How quickly does the M4 Coupe go? The highest speed of the BMW M4 Coupe is 155 mph. The M4 Coupe accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, followed by the M4 Competition Coupe at 3.8 seconds and the M4 Competition xDrive Coupe at an astounding 3.4 seconds.
What is the price of a BMW M4?
Starting prices for the M4 Competition coupe and convertible are $79,595 and $87,495 respectively. The BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system is an optional $4,100 feature on the coupe and is standard on the convertible. Both are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 503-hp variant of the normal M4’s engine. Staggered 19- and 20-inch black wheels, extended dark exterior trim, and M seatbelts are further features. Due to its more powerful engine and available or standard all-wheel drive, we advise purchasing the Competition model in coupe or convertible style. The features of this version will appeal to drivers with large budgets.
M3 or M4: Which is faster?
Considering that the current version of both vehicles uses the same engine and powertrain, depending on the transmission you select, the M4 would be the speedier vehicle because it is lighter than the M3.
Having said that, the weight disparity is negligible, and we would not use this as the deciding factor when purchasing either car.
BMW M4 dependability
Even though the 3 Series and 4 Series vehicles have a patchy reliability history and placed fourth out of eight vehicles in their respective classes in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, the M4 appears to be reliable on paper. BMW as a company came in at number 13 out of 30 manufacturers.
What is the M4’s 0–60 time?
In contrast, both vehicles accelerate equally from 0 to 60 mph, with the AWD M4 taking 4.4 seconds and the RWD M3 needing 4.5. As a point of comparison, the base manual rear-drive M4 accelerates to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and completes the quarter-mile in 12.1 seconds at 118 mph.