With the ushering in of a new generation of M cars, BMW CEO Frank van Meel says that the return of the M4 CS in the G8X generation could be a reality.
BMW M division’s CS badge has stood shoulder to shoulder with the insuperable CSL ruling over the ranks of the M fleet. In an interview with BMWBLOG, van Meel stated that the current fleet has the capability of sustaining a generational update of the CS badge. While nothing is confirmed, it’s safe to assume the G82 M4 CS will rank lower than its bigger brother, the G82 M4 CSL. Just a stone’s throw away from its debut, the BMW G80 M3 CS would serve not only as a yardstick for the next-gen CS derivatives capability but as an expansion of the G8X platform’s offering.
Although it’s not ideal, speculation based on previous models is all we have at the moment. The predecessor of this potential G82 M4 CS, the F82 M4 CS, was a very polarizing car. While it was a step up from the F82 M4 Competition, it wasn’t a significant step that brought with it too few benefits to justify the increased price tag. Power gains may range between the G82 Competitions’ 375 kW and the CSL’s 405 but most likely closer to the latter. Consensus suggests that this hypothetical M4 CS may only be produced as an X-Drive model outfitted with an automatic transmission, however, it’s more than likely going to be powered by a tuned version of the G8X’s S58.
While it’s unlikely to take weight saving as seriously as the CSL variant, the CS will be lighter than the Competition model while flaunting numerous carbon fibre components. The CS model may even adopt the same physique as the CSL.
The predecessor of this potential G82 CS derivative, the F82 M4 CS, was a very polarizing car. While it was a step up from the F82 M4 Competition, it wasn’t a significant step that brought with it too few benefits to justify the increased price tag. Will the G82 M4 do better than its predecessor or is the CS destined to be the middle child of the M fleet?
