BMW is fighting back against the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio with the M4 CS. Here is what we know so far, including the UK price, horsepower and top speed.
This year is going to be a busy one for BMW, as we found out at the test drive of the 5 Series. The latest car to emerge is the M4 CS, a souped-up version of the already aggressive M4 Coupe. So what is it all about and how much does it cost?
1) BMW M4 CS: How powerful are we talking?
Bloody fast, thanks to an extra 30bhp over the standard M4 and 10bhp more than the M4 Competition, but 39bhp less than the M4 GTS and 49bhp less than the Ferrari-engined Giulia Quadrifoglio. The 454bhp 3.0-litre straight-six is mated to a seven-speed automatic (no manual) and pumps out 442lb/ft of torque, an increase of 37lb/ft.
2) BMW M4 CS: So it’s a bit quick, then?
0-62mph takes the M4 CS 3.9 seconds, the same as the Giulia Quadrifoglio and one-tenth slower than the M4 GTS. The top speed, meanwhile, is limited to 174mph but there is no doubt it could get a lot closer to 200mph if it was allowed.
3) BMW M4 CS: What about emissions?
Not such an exciting topic, but maybe you are trying to get the M4 CS as a company car? Whatever the reason, fuel economy is said to be 33.6mpg (expect much lower in the real-world if the standard M4 is anything to go by) and CO2 emissions of 197g/km.
4) BMW M4 CS: How well will it ride?
Potentially rather harshly, but the M4 CS borrows the aluminium suspension bits and bobs from the M4 Competition Package to make it more suitable for track work, resulting in a Nurburgring lap time of 7:38 ─ the same as the Lexus LFA, believe it or not. But slower than the Giulia Quadrifoglio.
5) BMW M4 CS: So it’s priced competitively, right?
If by competitive you mean expensive, then yes, the M4 CS is super-competitive. Despite being less powerful than the V8-powered Mercedes-AMG C 63 and C 63 S, it costs £89,130 ─ more than £20,000 more. The Giulia Quadrifoglio, even with a lot of extras, would still give you huge amounts of change.
6) BMW M4 CS: So what is the point?
Well, the BMW M4 is a stylish, practical machine and the CS version looks even easier on the eye. Plus it is very fast and very easy to drive, even if all power is sent to the rear wheels and it weighs something approaching 1,600kg. It may also hold its value, as we have seen in the case of other Bimmers.
7) BMW M4 CS: When can I buy one?
If a faster BMW M4 with a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof and bonnet and a few bespoke aesthetic tweaks sounds like the dream, we doubt you will have to wait too long to put down an order, although there is no official word on this just yet.
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