The BMW M4 CSL (2023) is only the third in the company's history to bear the designation Coupe Sport Lightweight. In this particular case, according to BMW, it stands for Competition, Sport, Lightweight. Regardless of how one calls it, the M4 CSL is as serious as it can be. The new M4 CSL may not appear to be so at first glance, but do not be deceived by the lack of aero add-ons or a loud rear wing: it is a lighter, harder, and faster M4 Competition RWD, an automobile that with its 503 horsepower 3.0-liter inline-six twin-turbocharged engine, one would not describe as slow or inferior.
Table of Contents
- The Stage
- BMW M4 CSL 2023: More Power & Speed
- Innovative Lightweight Design
- Racing Atmosphere
- BMW M4 CSL 2023 Nürburgring Lap Record
- BMW M4 CSL 2023: Pricing & Availability
The Stage
It's not every day that BMW introduces a CSL car, but when it does, the brand goes all out in its pursuit of dominance in motorsport. The first BMW vehicle to bear the CSL badge was the 3.0 CSL, a homologation vehicle introduced in 1972 that won numerous European racing championships between 1973 and 1979. BMW produced fewer than 1,300 units, and it would cost you more than €200,000 to park one in your garage.
The second CSL hit the market in 2003, and it may be the best-performing and rarest E46 3 Series ever. We're talking about the mystical M3 CSL and its delicious 360 horsepower and 273 lb-ft 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine. If you find one, buy it as soon as possible. BMW produced only 1,358 examples of the M3 CSL.
BMW M4 CSL 2023: More Power & Speed
2022 happens to be the 50th anniversary of BMW's high-performance M division. Founded in 1972 to facilitate BMW's participation in professional motorsport, the M brand has racing in its genes, and the 2023 M4 CSL is a worthy torchbearer.
Under the hood is a newly configured and retuned 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine with a forged crankshaft, an updated indirect intercooler, and a new cylinder head with a 3D-printed core. The changes allowed BMW to increase boost pressure from the stock 24.7 psi to an intoxicating 30.5 psi, unleashing 40 more horses than the stock M4 Competition.
With 550 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, the new M4 CSL
is the most potent road-legal M4 to leave the Dingolfing factory gates.
Equipped with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission
(manual transmission not available), the M4 CSL sprints from zero to 100 km/h
in 3.6 seconds, slightly faster than an M4 Competition RWD but understandably
slower (by 0.2 seconds) than an M4 Competition xDrive. The top speed is 191
mph.
The innovative lightweight design
Part of the BMW M4 2023 CSL's propensity for speed is attributed to its lighter construction. BMW claims to save up to 240 pounds compared to a standard M4 Competition RWD through extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP).
You can find CFRP in the roof, trunk lid, front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror caps, and the beautifully sculpted hood with its two formed channels.
The M4 CSL has no rear seats, which makes the car significantly lighter (46 lbs.). But it's the small details that matter. BMW's M Division was so obsessed with the weight reduction program that they managed to save another eight pounds by redesigning the front kidney grille, taillights, climate control, and floor mats.
An additional nine pounds were saved by using titanium in the exhaust system. Their efforts paid off. The M4 CSL weighs 3,640 pounds, equivalent to an excellent power-to-weight ratio of 6.7 pounds per horsepower.
The BMW M4 CSL sits 0.3 centimeters lower than an M4 Competition. It features custom components such as unique stabilizers, suspensions, model-specific wheel damper settings, and individual settings for the adaptive M suspension and electromechanical M Servotronic steering.
The M4 CSL features "BMW Laserlight" headlights, exclusive M Carbon bucket seats, sound insulation, carbon-ceramic brakes, and forged lightweight alloy wheels (19 inches front, 20 inches rear). The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires were exclusively developed for the M4 CSL, but less aggressive performance tires are also available at no extra cost.
Inside, the M4 CSL features a carbon fiber center console, an Alcantara steering wheel with a red 12 o'clock mark, carbon fiber shift paddles, and carbon fiber trim.
BMW M4 CSL 2023 Nürburgring lap record
The BMW M4 CSL 2023 piloted by development engineer Jörg Weidinger completed a lap of the Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 20.20 seconds (7:20.2).
While not enough to beat the fastest production cars on the Nürburgring, the latest M4 CSL is officially the most production BMW to circle the Green Hell.
BMW M4 CSL 2023: Pricing & Availability
The BMW M4 2023 CSL is a limited-edition model, with only 1,000 units to be sold worldwide. The base price is 140,895 euros, including 995 euros for shipping.
You can order the M4 CSL in Frozen Brooklyn Gray Metallic, Alpine White, or Black Sapphire Metallic with red accents.