New 542-bhp BMW M4 CS levels up with track-focused modifications

Looking for a faster, angrier, and more agile M4? The upgraded CS edition raises firepower and sheds kgs in pursuit of Nürburgring lap times.

With its ferocious sub-4 second 0-60 mph acceleration and ruthlessly effective M-tuned Xdrive, the regular M4 Competition is no lumbering carthorse. Nevertheless, someone at BMW’s Munich headquarters clearly thought it was in need of sharpening.

Enter, the new M4 CS. The headline facts are simple: it’s quicker (both on and off track) than before, and occupies a new performance middle ground for those who want more capability than a standard M4, but don’t want to pay the exorbitant price for a top-flight CSL model.  

The first step to unlocking the M4’s hidden potential, was cranking up the boost on that 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine. Handily, this netted an extra 20 bhp, though not at the expense of longevity: the same basic motor proved its mettle in endurance racing when it powered the M4 GT3 to victory at Spa in 2023.

That’s a tick for power, so what about weight? Like many modern performance cars, the M4’s heft creates challenges for its engineers. Tackling the problem from its root, BMW has shaved off 20 kgs by using a lighter (and more vocal) titanium exhaust silencer, standard carbon bucket seats, a carbon-fibre roof to lower the centre of gravity, and numerous lightweight aero additions.

“20 kgs? That’s hardly a radical transformation”, you might say. Perhaps, although it’s more impressive when you consider the CS retains the brand’s signature all-wheel drive system — unlike the hardcore CSL — to make it the fastest accelerating M4 money can buy. Hurtling from rest to 62 mph in a mere 3.4 seconds, when it comes to outright pace, only a whisker separates the M4 CS from its bigger (and more powerful) M5 and M8 siblings.

Rightfully for a track-focused coupe, the handling upgrades are even more extensive. To emphasize the CS’s more aggressive mantra, specialised Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres are standard fitment, while track-oriented Pilot Sport Cup 2 Cup 2Rs are a no cost option.  

Ensuring this sticky new rubber remains in contact with the tarmac at all times, ‘individually tuned axle kinematics, bespoke wheel camber settings, dampers, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars’ all serve to tighten the chassis and aid response. Furthermore, a tweaked M Dynamic mode allows for more wheel slip before intervening, offering more adjustability for expert drivers.

It seems that all BMW’s tinkering has paid off, too: the new CS laps the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife nearly seven seconds faster than the Competition model — trailing the exclusive CSL model by less than four. And you’ll be able to enjoy all this new-found ability for longer; the oil supply and cooling systems have been beefed up to withstand the added stresses of ‘consistently high revs and extreme lateral acceleration’.   

As you might have guessed, all this race-honed tech doesn’t come cheap. Starting at around £117,000 when it lands later in 2024, the CS will see a hefty £36,000 price bump compared to a regular M4. Still, at £9,000 cheaper than the CSL, you could say it’s a bargain… Right?  

Has the new M4 CS got you itching to don your racing gloves and helmet, or would you rather spend a little extra on a full-fat CSL?

Hero image credit: BMW