Automotive

BMW gently turns up the wick on the M4 with more powerful CS

BMW gently turns up the wick on the M4 with more powerful CS
BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
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The new BMW M4 CS, launched in Shanghai
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The new BMW M4 CS, launched in Shanghai
Staring into the eyes of the BMW M4 CS
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Staring into the eyes of the BMW M4 CS
The BMW M4 CS has the taillights from the M4 GTS
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The BMW M4 CS has the taillights from the M4 GTS 
The M4 CS is almost as quick as a GTS around the Nürburgring North Loop
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The M4 CS is almost as quick as a GTS around the Nürburgring North Loop
The carbon fiber spoiler on the M4 CS looks suspiciously similar to the unit on the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV
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The carbon fiber spoiler on the M4 CS looks suspiciously similar to the unit on the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV
The basic M4 shape hasn't aged, but the CS touches do make it look even better
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The basic M4 shape hasn't aged, but the CS touches do make it look even better 
The M4 CS will hit 100 km/h in less than four seconds
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The M4 CS will hit 100 km/h in less than four seconds 
The CS launched at Auto Shanghai
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The CS launched at Auto Shanghai
The splitter on the CS is perfect for scraping driveways and speedbumps
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The splitter on the CS is perfect for scraping driveways and speedbumps
The M4 CS is powered by a turbocharged inline six
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The M4 CS is powered by a turbocharged inline six 
The OLED taillights on the CS are copied from the M4 GTS
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The OLED taillights on the CS are copied from the  M4 GTS
The exhaust on the M4 CS is the same as the unit fitted to the M4 Competition
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The exhaust on the M4 CS is the same as the unit fitted to the M4 Competition
The CS is lighter and faster than the standard M4
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The CS is lighter and faster than the standard M4 
The little spoiler on the boot of the M4 CS is unique to this car
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The little spoiler on the boot of the M4 CS is unique to this car 
Road-legal semi-slick tires are standard on the M4 CS
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Road-legal semi-slick tires are standard on the M4 CS
Behind the wheel of the BMW M4 CS
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Behind the wheel of the BMW M4 CS
The regular door handles are gone, and in their place is a set of cloth pulls
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The regular door handles are gone, and in their place is a set of cloth pulls
The CS motif is scattered around the cabin of the latest M4 special edition
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The CS motif is scattered around the cabin of the latest M4 special edition 
The crushed natural fibers in the door trim helps save weight
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The crushed natural fibers in the door trim helps save weight 
The cut-down seats in the M4 CS are lighter than the standard seats
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The cut-down seats in the M4 CS are lighter than the standard seats 
The traditional colors of BMW M are on display in the M4 CS
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The traditional colors of BMW M are on display in the M4 CS
Under the hood of the BMW M4 CS
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Under the hood of the BMW M4 CS
BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
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BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
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BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
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BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
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BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
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BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
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BMW M4 CS at Auto Shanghai 2017
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The BMW M4 has already been turned into a water-injected track terror, a retro-inspired limited edition and a commemorative special for German race fans, but there's clearly still room for more variants. The latest special edition to come from BMW Motorsport is the M4 CS, designed to slot in between the M4 Competition Package and hardcore M4 GTS.

Step one in the CS transformation is more power. BMW has squeezed another 10 hp (7.5 kW) from the turbocharged inline six under the hood, putting peak power at 460 hp (343 kW) for a 3.9 second sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph). The extra power comes courtesy of a tweaked engine management system – unfortunately, the water injection system from the GTS doesn't feature here. Top speed is electronically limited to 280 km/h (174 mph).

Power is put to the road through the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox from the regular M4 Competition Package. Drivers are able to take control using the paddles mounted behind the wheel, but there's no mention of a three-pedal option. Sure, the twin-clutch 'box will change gears faster, but it isn't the most involving choice.

Under the skin, not much has changed between the M4 Competition Package and the new CS. Both cars use the same lightweight wheel carriers to cut unsprung mass, and run a more aggressive geometry for sharp turn-in on the track. The result is a 7:38.0 lap around the Nürburgring North Loop, just a second slower than the much more expensive M4 GTS.

This impressive turn of pace comes – in part at least – courtesy of the sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires included in the CS package. They're essentially cut slick tires for the road, which means they're great in warm, dry conditions, but tend to struggle when the tarmac gets wet. BMW will also sell you the car with a set of tamer Michelin Sport tires fitted if the racy rubber is likely to cause problems on your daily commute.

From behind the wheel, there are plenty of little touches to set the M4 CS apart from its more mundane brethren. Lightweight seats trimmed in leather and Alcantara are standard, and the funky-looking door trim is actually made from a special type of compacted natural fiber. The regular door handles are gone, and in their place is a set of cloth pulls, finished in the red, blue and, er, darker blue colors of BMW Motorsport.

Big changes have been wrought on the outside, too, where the bootlid is now adorned with a unique carbon gurney spoiler. BMW has swapped the regular brake lights for the (very pretty) OLED units from the GTS as well, just in case the shiny black spoiler didn't give away the fact this is a meaner, faster M4. The car sits on 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, which hide the dinner-plate sized composite brake discs lurking behind.

So, what price for the extra power and fancy styling? BMW will be charging €116,900 (circa. US$125,000) for the M4 CS, which is on show at the Shanghai Auto Show.

Source: BMW

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