BMW is still hard at work on a high-performance version of the new M4, and another one of its prototypes was spotted by spy photographers at a gas station, allowing us to get a much closer look at the sports car as well as the first glimpses of its interior.
The car features additional aero components as well as new
designs for the bumpers, grille, and wheels to not only differentiate itself
visually from the “standard” M4, but also in terms of performance. Inside, we
can see that the bucket seats now feature more carbon fiber and the rear seats
have been removed in the name of weight saving.
But probably the most important part of this sighting is
that it confirms that the car will in fact be a CSL model. As long as this
souped-up M4 has been making its rounds, there has been a debate surrounding
exactly what it was. But thanks to a plaque positioned where the now-deleted
rear seats would be, it’s all but confirmed that the car will bear the famed
CSL designation that hasn’t been used since the E46 M3 in the early 2000s.
Since the L in CSL stands “lightweight”, it’s obvious that
the M4 will have to shed some pounds to be in keeping with the name. It’s not
yet clear exactly how that will be accomplished, but based on the interior
shots, we do know that the front seats will likely be lighter through an added
use of carbon fiber and the rear seats will be deleted altogether. Additional
weight savings could come in the form of carbon fiber body panels, lighter
mechanical components, and reduced soundproofing, in the vein of the M5 CS.
Traditionally, though, BMW’s CSL models aren’t just lighter
weight versions of their M cars, but they have more power too. To accomplish
that, it’s expected that BMW will crank up the output on the Competition-spec
version of the M4’s 3.0L twin-turbocharged inline-six, which currently makes
503 hp and 650 Nm of torque. What still remains
unclear is if the car will be available with both an automatic and a manual
gearbox. Should only one transmission option be offered, it’ll likely be the
auto, as the latest rumors suggest that BMW could be readying another limited
version of the M4 for the M Division’s 50th anniversary that will come
exclusively with a manual gearbox.