Normal M4s look up to this new BMW M4 CS

The new BMW M4 CS was at the launch of the first BMW M Festival at the Kyalami race circuit in Gauteng.

The BMW M4 CS fills the gap in the line-up between the M4 Coupe with Competition Package and the uncompromisingly track-focused BMW M4 GTS.

With its accentuated sporting presence, the new M4 CS continues the decades-long tradition of successful M special editions which began in 1988 with the E30 BMW M3 Evolution.

The new BMW M4 CS will be built at the original BMW plant in Munich.

The M4 CS also sees BMW introducing a new nomenclature for its models.

Positioned above the standard M models will be the performance-boosted Competition versions. Then come the CS special-edition models, a notch higher still. Positioned on top are the performance-maximising “brand shapers” which display a clear motor sport or club sport character but are also fully road legal.

The 3.0-litre high-performance engine raises the output of the M4 with Competition Package by 7.5kW to 338kW.

State-of-the-art TwinPower Turbo technology allows the M4 CS to dip below the four-second mark for the 0 to 100 km/h sprint, stopping the clock at a claimed 3.9 seconds.

The top speed of the M4 CS, which comes as standard with the M Driver’s Package, is electronically limited to 280 km/h.

The new BMW M4 CS is equipped as standard with the seven-speed M double clutch transmission (M DCT) with Drivelogic.

This cutting-edge transmission has a separate oil cooler and enables both automated gear changes and manual interventions using the shift paddles on the steering wheel.

It employs a long seventh gear to keep revs low and minimise fuel consumption over longer motorway journeys.

The suspension of the new BMW M4 CS largely mirrors that of the M4 with Competition Package.

The links and wheel carriers at both the front and rear axles are made from forged aluminium and are therefore extremely light.

That keeps the unsprung masses low and benefits driving dynamics.

The M4 CS is fitted as standard with Adaptive M suspension whose geometry has been tuned to deliver optimised performance on both the road and track.

The new BMW M4 CS has also been honed on the most demanding test track of them all for high-performance sports cars: the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife with a ‘Ring lap time of 7 min. 38 sec.

Ensuring the best possible grip in all driving conditions are the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system – which includes M Dynamic Mode – and the Active M Differential.

The control systems for the Adaptive M suspension, DSC and Active M Differential have been modified to suit the dynamic requirements of the BMW M4 CS, as has the set-up of the electromechanical steering.

The driver has the option of adjusting the steering and suspension set – tings to their personal preferences or the demands of the route at hand.

To this end, they can select one of three driving modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport+) at the touch of a button.

While Comfort mode is particularly well suited to poor road conditions, city driving and short journeys, Sport will be the mode of choice for keen drivers looking to push on over twisty country roads.

And for those heading to the track with their BMW M4 CS, Sport+ mode will pave the way for the fastest lap times.

Sport+ fettles all the relevant systems to deliver the best possible dynamics.

Should the driver gets a little too excited, DSC will intervene in an instant.

However, in M Dynamic Mode (MDM) it will also allow controlled drifts.

Also very much at home on the race track are the light-alloy wheels (front: 9 J x 19, rear: 10 J x 20) designed exclusively for the M4 CS and fitted as standard with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (front: 265/35 R 19, rear: 285/30 R 20).

These semi-slick cup tyres, which are also road-legal, provide unbeatable grip and supreme lateral stability at high track speeds, as well as optimum traction out of hairpins.

The M4 CS can also be ordered with Michelin Sport road tyres at no extra cost.

The interior of the new BMW M4 CS sets out squarely to create a sporting ambience.

Lightweight M sports seats trimmed in leather/Alcantara get the ball rolling and the dynamic flavour extends all the way to the door panel trim made from compacted natural fibres and featuring pull loops.

The bonnet – with its characteristic air outlet rearwards of the powerdome – and roof are made from the lightweight, extremely rigid and high-tech material carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

No M4 CS driver will need to compromise on the nicer things in life.

Indeed, among the standard features on board are automatic climate control, a version of the BMW HiFi system Profession – al adapted to the signature acoustic demands of the M4 CS and the Navigation system Professional.

The signature feature of the car’s prominent front end, complete with twin LED headlights, is the front apron with large, three-section air intakes.

These serve up an ample supply of cooling air to both the high-performance engine and the fade-resistant M compound brakes with four-piston callipers at the front and two-piston callipers at the rear.

Innovative rear lights with OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology introduced by BMW M exclusively for the M4 CS and M4 GTS break new ground.

The BMW M4 CS is priced at R1 838 500