BMW unveiled the hardcore M4 CSL variant yesterday, with more power and less weight than the regular M4. Predictably, the Bavarian automaker took it to the Nürburgring where it clocked an impressive 7′ 20.206″ lap time, setting an all-time record among BMW’s series-production cars.
The car was driven by Jörg Weidinger, a development driver at BMW and ex European Touring Car Hill Climb Champion. The official lap times were 7′ 20.206″ for the full length of 20.832 km (12.9 miles), and 7′ 15.677″ for the shorter 20.600 km (12.8 miles) track.
This means that the track-focused M4 is 2.9 seconds faster than the 2019 Jaguar XE SV Project 8, claiming the title of the fastest car in the mid-segment at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It is also 6.6 seconds quicker than the larger and more powerful 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4Matic+, and 9.6 faster faster than the 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo. Finally, if we compare it with an Italian rival, the lap time was 16.3 seconds faster than the 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio although the not-yet-tested Giulia GTAm would be a better-suited rival.
See Also: These Are The Fastest Cars At The Nürburgring in 2021
[embedded content]
The BMW M4 CSL is fitted with a tuned version of the twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six producing 543 hp (550 PS / 411 kW) and 479 lb-ft (649 Nm) of torque, which represents an increase of 40 hp (41 PS / 30 kW) over the M4 Competition. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
At the same time, the curb weight has been slashed by 240 lbs (109 kg) over the standard car, at 3,640 lbs (1,651 kg). According to BMW, the fastest M4 accelerates from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 191 mph (307 km/h). The track capability is further enhanced by the more aggressive chassis setup, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires and the slightly tweaked aerodynamics.
All the aforementioned upgrades, the limited availability of 1,000 units, and the “fastest BMW at the Nürburgring” title come at a cost. Pricing for the M4 CSL starts at $139,900 plus a $995 destination charge, which is almost double the $74,900 price of a regular M4 Competition.
