This past weekend, BMW handed out the keys to the M4 CS fleet to a few journalists from around the world who had the chance to lap the Nurburgring during the M Corso event and to drive the new M4 model around the city of Nurburg. The BMW M4 CS sits right smack in the middle of the M4 Competition Package and M4 GTS, filling up a small nice in the M lineup. It manages to blend some of the hardcore performance of the M4 GTS with the everyday usability of the standard M4 Competition Package but, to be honest, seems like it will be better than both.
Under the hood lies a variant of the M4’s S55 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged I6 engine that now makes 460 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque for CS-duty. That extra power is created via tuning and not with water-injection like on the M4 GTS. While the M4 Comp Pack is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT, the M4 CS is only available with the DCT.
But how does it drive compared to the rest of the M4 lineup?
Top Gear says “Very, very well,” praising its athletic capabilities, body control and the rumbles of the sports exhaust.
The best M4 yet? Probably. It’s the sweet spot in the range, and whatever you think of the price, BMW won’t have any problem selling every single one made between now and 2019. It’s a useable four-seater with a light dusting of track-nutter magic. It’s brilliant.
Autocar noticed immediately the difference between the regular M4 with Competition Package and the specially engineered and tuned M4 CS.
The M4 CS’ engine makes a sizeable improvement to the real-world performance of the even the M4 Competition mostly by matching the peak torque of the GTS – 442lb ft – without the need for that water injection system. Amazingly, the engine’s internals are the same as those of the Competition Package car but its software management is new and simply works its twin monoscroll turbos harder at middling revs.
And once again the better exhaust note.
Stereo aside, it’s also much better to listen to than a ‘normal’ M4. The car’s quad exhaust system is the same as the one on the M4 Competition but, shorn of some sound deadening and with the CS’s new engine management in play (and a redline extended to 7600rpm) the CS sounds much more gritty and real than a standard M4.
The Australian folks at Car Advice say off the bat that the new BMW M4 CS is “the enthusiast M4. A driver’s car.” Without a doubt, the M4 CS is what the BMW customers have been asking from the beginning, a raw, hardcore sports coupe with lots of track capabilities, without breaking the bank.
It feels rawer than a regular M4, the footwell vibrates, you can hear stones being kicked up under the guards. It’s might be capable of being docile, but it is itching to run.
Pushing the car to 282 km/h, the Aussies were also impressed with its grip and asphalt stickiness, some due tot the new Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tires.
More impressively is how planted and stable the car felt at speed. The standard Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tyres offer tremendous grip on a dry surface, but by their soft nature also help to manage the overall comfort and compliant nature of the ride.
The BMW M4 CS will run about $125,000 in Europe (converted from €116,900). It’s unclear how many CS model cars will be built, but BMW says production will run from 2017 to 2019.
