BMW Introduces M4 CSL with Huge Weight Reduction and 542bhp On Tap
BMW Introduces M4 CSL with Huge Weight Reduction and 542bhp On Tap
The German luxury automaker BMW has revived its iconic CSL nameplate, earmarked for its nimblest and most hardcore track cars, with the debut of the new M4 CSL.
The CSL stands for 'Competition, Sport, Lightweight,' and BMW has used it over the M4 Competition model and applied various techniques to reduce its weight.
The automaker installed the brand's twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine, also used for the M4 GT3 race car, to give the CSL a power boost. This engine pumps out 543 horsepower (404 kilowatts), which is 40-hp more than the M4 Competition. The 479 pound-feet (649 Newton-meters) of accessible torque is on tap from 2,750 to 5,950 rpm. The engineers also turned up the boost pressure from 24.7 psi to 30.5 psi.
The power goes to the rear wheels via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. The carbon-fibre paddle shifters behind the steering wheel enable the driver to engage the coupe’s manual drive mode.
The automaker claims the new M4 CSL can accelerate to 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in 3.5 seconds and attain the maximum speed of 191 mph (307 kph).
Shedding weight from the M4 Competition was the main objective of engineers. The weight-saving diet shaved off a total of 108.8 kilograms (240 pounds); thus, the curb weight only stands at 1,605-kg (3,640-lbs).
The company eliminated the rear seats (reduced 21 kg), moved to lightweight sound insulation (15 kg), employed interior and exterior carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRP) parts (11 kg), and added a titanium rear silencer (4.1 kg).
The M Carbon ceramic brakes shed another 14 kg, whereas the wide application of CFRP for the hood and trunk eliminated 1.3 kg and 6.8 kg, respectively.
Another 3.6 kilograms are saved from the kidney grille, rear lights, floor mats, and automatic climate control system. While the carbon fibre application for the centre console reduces around 4 kg, the biggest weight-saving component is the M Carbon full bucket seats, which save 24 kg.
BMW uses a unique Frozen Brooklyn Grey paint for the M4 CSL, visible carbon fiber coats, and red accents. The white and black shades are other options in paints.
One enhancement buyers can opt for is BMW’s Laserlight headlight technology. It glows yellow to remind us the BMW’s endurance racing vehicles. The LED rear lights are regular, featuring a complicated light pattern.
After shaving off almost 100 kg from the vehicle and making it more powerful, it was only natural for the automaker to send the coupe to conquer the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Looking at the 7:20.2 record for one lap, the M4 CSL becomes the speediest series-production BMW ever.
The BMW M4 CSL has hit the dealerships in the UK wearing a price tag of £128,820.
Sources: CarDealerMagazine & Motor1
Images: Motor1