2023 BMW M4 CSL teased
The revival of BMW’s iconic Coupe Sport Lightweight badge – the BMW M4 CSL – may have been teased in an official video, with a lightweight bonnet and rear ducktail spoiler aiding a 100kg weight saving.
BMW M has provided our first look at the 2023 BMW M4 CSL sports coupe, ahead of its expected public unveiling within the coming months.
Hidden in a video teasing BMW M’s 50th anniversary celebrations is a yellow M4 coupe with a body-coloured ‘ducktail’ boot lid spoiler – matching that seen on M4 CSL prototypes spotted over the last 10 months, replacing the standard M4’s smaller black ‘Gurney flap’ lip spoiler.
Elsewhere, in the Instagram preview image for the same video, a white M4 coupe can be seen with a number of modifications – namely a unique grille pattern, red grille accents, a black front splitter, yellow daytime-running lights, and a distinctive bonnet with sculpted areas on either side of a prominent ‘power bulge’.
While not confirmed, the front splitter, ‘Y-bar’ grille pattern and unique bonnet have all been seen in spy photos of the M4 CSL, indicating the white vehicle – and the motorsport-inspired yellow light signatures can also be seen on BMW’s most recent CS (or CSL) model, the M5 CS super sedan.
Gold brake calipers can also be seen on the yellow M4 in the video, as clamped to BMW’s carbon-ceramic brake discs.
Slated for reveal this year – possibly as soon as May – the new BMW M4 CSL will revive the legendary Coupe Sport Lightweight badge last seen on the M3 CSL of the mid-2000s, preceded by the racing-bred 3.0 CSL of the 1970s.
As its name suggest, the M4 CSL will be the new M4 range’s lightweight special – with recently-departed BMW M boss Markus Flasch confirming a targeted weight saving of 100kg (from the M4 Competition’s 1725kg kerb), through a rear-seat delete and a range of carbon-fibre parts (according to rumours).
Under the bonnet, reports indicate the M4 Competition’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged ‘S58’ inline-six will be uprated to develop approximately 403kW – up from 375kW/650Nm – powering the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Other highlights of the M4 CSL are rumoured to include new 19-inch front and 20-inch wheels (with sport or track tyres), new M Racing Bucket seats (with the Competition’s optional M Bucket seats also available), an Alcantara steering wheel, and “special new M headlights as an option”.
Production of the 2023 BMW M4 CSL is rumoured to commence in July 2022 – which would correlate to a global unveiling before May or June, and should the car be available in Australia, first local arrivals in no earlier than September or October.
BMW insider and reputable BimmerPost forum user ynguldyn also claims the CSL will be followed in November 2022 by the M4 GT/H, a second special edition “mostly configured like the CSL” – but with a six-speed manual transmission, not available with the CSL.
It is unclear how much power and torque the GT/H will produce, as the M4’s manual transmission is not believed to be capable of supporting more than 600Nm – insufficient for the M4 CSL’s expected 403kW and 650Nm-plus outputs.
The GT/H is said to lose key features offered with the CSL and Competition variants – including keyless entry, parking sensors and power-adjustable seats – but gain the forged alloy wheels bound for the M3 Touring wagon, also due in 2022.
BMW has confirmed the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa D’Este historic car show in Italy in late May will host “the exclusive world premiere of a new BMW M car” – timing which aligns with the start of M4 CSL production in July.
The post 2023 BMW M4 CSL teased appeared first on Drive.