The new BMW M4 CSL is expected to be launched very soon, and it will be the third CSL car BMW has ever made. The last car to wear the CSL nameplate was the E46 M3 back in 2003. That’s a very desirable car indeed, but not as desirable as the original 3.0 CSL which was based on the E9 coupe.
The M4 CSL will be a stripped-down hardcore version of the G82 m4. It will be very expensive, yes, but it will offer a more enhanced driving experience. The new M4 CSL has been pictured in camo and there have been many renders on the internet. I do believe that BMW will change things like the grille design on this car, alloys and also put on it a more aggressive body kit.
The CSL replaces the previous F82 M4 GTS, which in all honesty wasn’t a great car at all. It looked the part with it’s splitter, spoiler, diffuser, lightweight alloys and roll cage but on the track it was slapped up by the likes of Porsche. BMW did redeem themselves by making the M4 CS but unfortunately, it was just too expensive for what it was.
Like the GTS and the CS, the M4 CSL will probably be a very expensive car too. The standard M4 Competition starts at just over $74,000. The previous M4 GTS started at just over $133,000, so my guess is that the CSL will definitely be priced at over $100,000 which is a lot of money.
So, what is my view on the new M4 CSL? Would I buy it if i had the money? Let’s find out.
picture via: carwow.co.uk
The Performance Figures Are High and It’s Lighter.
The new M4 CSL will have around 550hp, according to multiple sources. That’s a 47hp increase from the competition model. This means the 0-60 will slightly be faster at around 3.6 seconds which is very fast indeed. The CSL will also be a lot lighter than the standard M4 and I suspect that rear seats will be removed, with a roll cage replacing them. However, you could opt for rear seats if you wish.
The E46 M3 CSL had things like a carbon roof, a lighter bootlid, no radio, lighter seats and lighter bumpers. The M4 CSL will probably come as standard with those lighter carbon bucket seats, a different bootlid, lighter bumpers, etc. It will probably keep it’s radio and sound system though.
It’s also likely that the M4 CSL will use a faster version of the ZF 8-Speed automatic transmission. The M3 E46 CSL used the SMG semi-automatic gearbox. Some will argue that this car needs a manual, but that would slow the car down massively. The good news is though is that the CSL is likely to be RWD which turns up the fun factor.
Timeless Looks.
The M4 CSL is expected to have timeless looks. The ducktail boot lid looks incredible, the front is even more aggressive and the track is a tad wider. The front of the car has a slightly different grille that looks quite interesting indeed.
Some people will hate this car due to it’s nose, but in all honesty I think it works really well with this car. It makes the CSL stand out and turn heads. In my opinion, the M4 CSL does look better than a GT3 911. The standard M4 Competition isn’t a bad looking car, but I have never been a fan of the front. I just think it’s far too aggressive for the car.
Is It Better Than a GT3?
The 911 GT3 is top of the tree when it comes to track cars. It’s the one that all the competitors want to beat, but in all honesty most can’t. The 992 GT3 starts at almost $144,000 which is a lot. Plus, when the M4 CSL comes out in late 2022, the 911 GT3 won’t be on sale anymore. It would have been replaced by the more hardcore 911 GT3 RS which is in another leuage.
The M4 CSL will have stiffer chassis, stiffer suspension and it will be more aerodynamic than ever before. These things will massively improve the already good handling. Will it be as good as the GT3 though? Well, you’ll have to wait and see but in my opinion I don’t think it will be.
The M3 CSL back in 2003 was a great handling car, but it wasn’t as good as the 996 GT3 at the time. The current 992 GT3 has crazy aerodynamics which are revolutionary. I just don’t think BMW can keep up with that, especially when the 911 body shape is more aerodynamic anyways.
Will It Be One Of The Top Trackday Cars?
This will be a very good track car indeed. However, I doubt many people will drive their CSL on the track due to the fact that this car is produced in limited numbers.
The recent M5 CS is by far the best sedan for the track. That’s a serious bit of kit which is also very expensive indeed. The M4 CSL will have rivals from Alfa Romeo and maybe Mercedes, but I do feel that it will give those cars a serious run for their money. It’s a serious bit of kit, and if it’s anything like the previous CSL BMW’s, then it will be absolutely insane.
Will the CSL have the M-Performance style exhaust setup? The photos don’t presume so, which is a shame since that looks very aggressive and special indeed.
To Conclude.
The M4 CSL is set to be a brilliant car, and I cannot wait to see the finished product. Previous CSL BMWs were incredible, and the M4 CSL will have to live up to that name. I know for a fact many will call it overpirced, but what do you expect? It will be a full on track car that will be produced in limited numbers.
I would rather a Porsche GT3 but that’s a lot more expensive. A GTS here in the UK will be somewhat similar money, so that will be a key rival for buyers in my opinion. I do feel other cars like the GTAm Giulia Alfa Romeo won’t be as fast on the track, though that car does have more soul.
Mercedes may launch a more track heavy version of their CLE coupe (replacement for C and E class coupes/cabrios). That will be again a serious rival for the M4 CSL and that will also have a lot more power thanks to the C63’s hybrid system.