Shanghai 2017: The BMW M4 CS Is A Limited Production Club Sport Race Car

Positioned one rank below the full-on race ready M4 GTS, this M4 CS bridges the gap between a ‘regular’ M4 upgraded with Competition Package and the race-ready M4 GTS.

The M4 CS is aimed at people who take their track days a bit more seriously but at the same time need a greater level of usability than what’s previously provided by the M4 GTS.

In the years to come, BMW will restructure the portfolio of some of its M Series models to create a new hierarchy that will start from standard M cars, to M Competition cars, before progressing upwards to the CS and GTS cars.

Compared to the M4 with Competition Package, the M4 CS’ 3.0-litre twin-turbo (mono-scroll) inline 6-cylinder engine now produces 10 more horsepower (460 hp at 6,250 rpm) and 50 Nm more torque (600 Nm between 4,000 - 5,380 rpm).  

For comparison, the standard M4 produces 431 hp between 5,500 – 7,300 rpm and 550 Nm between 1,850 – 5,500 rpm. At the other extreme end of the M4 variants, the M4 GTS with its water injection cooling system pumps out 500 hp at 6,250 rpm and 600 Nm between 4,000 – 5,500 rpm.

The M4 CS scoots from 0-100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds (standard M4 – 4.1 seconds, M4 with Competition Package – 4.0 seconds, M4 GTS – 3.8 seconds).

BMW declined to reveal the exact production volume planned for the M4 CS, but said that the model will be in production for between two to three years.

The M4 CS is only available with a seven-speed M Dual Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic.

Like the M4 GTS, the M4 CS uses a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) bonnet, but unlike the CFRP roof panel, the CFRP hood is painted in body colour.

Behind, the M4 CS is differentiated by its OLED tail lights. On European market models, the tail lights are designed to animate upon engine start-up.

The car comes standard with semi-slick Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres in staggered sizes - 265/35 R 19 in front and 285/30 R 20 behind. The car can also be ordered with Michelin Sport road tyres at no extra cost. The tyres will wrap around a forged, light alloy wheels weighing around 10 kg each. (9Jx19 in front and 10Jx20 behind).

The standard brakes are M compound brakes with four-piston callipers at the front and two-piston callipers at the rear. Of course, carbon ceramic brakes are also available as an option.

As expected, the track-focused M4 CS has a very spartan interior, although it still comes equipped with air-conditioning, GPS navigation and radio.

Instead of full leather trimmings, the M4 CS’ interior is lined in Alcantara while the lightweight M sports seats are a half leather/Alcantara. The door panels are made from lightweight natural fibres and the door-side armrests no longer have any depressions for you to pull the door close. Instead, you will have to pull the doors close by using the pull loops. Curiously, you still use the standard car’s door handles to open the doors from the inside.

For chassis control, the M4 CS’ suspension tuning largely mirrors that of the M4 with Competition Package. It is a fitted with Adaptive M suspension and BMW claims a Nurburgring lap time of 7:38.

In Europe, the M4 CS will be priced at EUR 116,900.