BMW unveils new M4 CS

BMW has poured everything it knows about making fast sports cars into the new M4 CS.

The latest in an increasingly long line of limited-edition M cars, the M4 CS is based on the regular M4, fitted with the Competition Package, but adds another 10bhp to bump the three-litre straight-six engine’s power output to 454bhp, shortening its 0-62mph sprint to 3.9 seconds.

Aside from limboing under the four-second mark, speed tops out at an electronically limited 174mph, which does away with the base car’s 155mph speed cap.

The twin-turbo engine is linked to a seven-speed double clutch automatic gearbox that changes gears in fractions of a second with no interruption in the flow of power. This M DCT transmission also employs a long seventh gear to keep revs low and minimise fuel consumption over longer motorway journeys.

The car’s suspension remains virtually unchanged from the base car, but that’s no bad thing because it has been tuned to deliver optimised performance on both the road and track.

Seriously fast

As such, the M4 CS has also been honed on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife – the world’s most demanding test track – clocking a lap time of seven minutes and 38 seconds.

The car rides on specially designed light-alloy wheels (front: 9 J x 19, rear: 10 J x 20) that come fitted as standard with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (front: 265/35 R 19, rear: 285/30 R 20).

BMW says that these semi-slick cup tyres, which are also road-legal, provide unbeatable grip, supreme lateral stability at high track speeds and optimum traction out of hairpins.

Inside, the cabin boasts lightweight M sports seats trimmed in leather or alcantara, while the door panel trim is made from compacted natural fibres featuring pull loops.

UK prices haven’t been confirmed yet, but on the continent, the M4 CS starts at €116,900 (£99,271). That’s pretty steep considering you could get an i8 for not much more, but the M4 has never disappointed in any form, so we wouldn’t expect the M4 CS to change that now.