What it doesn’t gain – or lose, in this case – is the CSL’s 100kg diet. Instead, alongside retaining the M4’s xDrive four-wheel drive system, the CS also offers four seats. There’s a raft of CSL-inspired handling upgrades too, meaning this could be the sweet spot of the G82 range.

Output increases from 530bhp to 550bhp, delivered at 6,250rpm and sustained to the 7,200rpm red line. Torque holds steady at 650Nm but is spread over an additional 230rpm, peaking between 2,750rpm and 5,950rpm. The gains come from increased boost pressure – now at 2.1 bar – and model-specific tweaks to the engine management. As a result, 0-62mph is dispatched in 3.4 seconds, with 0-124mph taking 11.1 seconds. The broader torque curve sharpens in-gear acceleration, launching from 50-75mph in 2.6 seconds in fourth gear or 3.3 seconds in fifth, while the top speed limiter has been raised from 155mph to 188mph.

A more aggressive soundtrack underlines the increased performance, with the M4 CS gaining a new lightweight titanium silencer, finished with matt black exhaust tips. Further weight-saving measures include a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) bonnet, mirror caps, front splitter and rear diffuser. New forged alloy wheels – 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear – also contribute, bringing the total weight reduction to 20kg compared to the M4 Competition.

Just like the CSL, the new wheels can be wrapped in ultra-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R rubber, with regular Cup 2s as standard fit. Elsewhere in the handling department, the CS benefits from bespoke axle kinematics, revised wheel camber, retuned anti-roll bars and uprated auxiliary springs. New, model-specific engine mounts improve mass control in high-speed direction changes, while the adaptive dampers, dynamic stability control and EPAS have all been recalibrated to match the CS’s sharper focus and higher limits.

The result is a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7:21.989 – just 3.86 seconds behind the CSL despite an 80kg weight penalty. Notably, it’s seven seconds faster than the near-identical G80 M3 CS saloon, which lapped in 7:28.760 – though in different conditions.

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BMW has finally relented to demands and given us an M3 Touring. Craig Toone gets behind the wheel and puts the car to the test. Will the car live up to the hopes and dreams of M enthusiasts?

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Completing the M3/M4 line-up, the M3 CS Touring arrives with the track-focused handling upgrades that have graced the saloon and coupé, alongside a boost in power.

To set itself apart from the M4 Competition, the CS features unique styling cues and new BMW Individual paint options: Riviera Blue and Frozen Isle of Man Green (as pictured). M Brooklyn Grey and Sapphire Black metallic are also available. The kidney grille adopts a new design with a red outline, mirrored on the M4 CS badging. The CFRP bonnet features integrated cooling vents, with its exposed weave forming subtle racing stripes. The aforementioned alloys can be finished in a choice of matt bronze or black.

Inside, all the in-car technology from the M4 Competition remains, including BMW Operating System 8.5. The interior benefits from standard carbon-shelled M bucket seats, trimmed in black and red Merino leather. CFRP is used extensively, from the paddle shifters to various trim panels, complemented by select Alcantara elements.

First deliveries of the 2025 M4 CS are expected in autumn. With performance close to the hardcore CSL but the usability of a standard M4, the CS looks to strike the best balance between outright performance and daily use in the G8X line-up. That is, until the rumoured M3 CS Touring breaks cover…

2025 G82 BMW M4 CS; Specification

3.0-litre inline six, twin turbocharged

Max Power 550bhp

Peak Torque 650Nm

Switchable all wheel drive

8sp torque converter ZF automatic with paddle shift

0-62 mph in 3.4s

0-124 mph in 11.1s

Top speed 188 mph (limited)

CO2 emissions rating 232 g/km (WLTP)

Fuel Consumption Combined 27.7mpg (WLTP)

Retail Price from £117,100

Available to order now, deliveries from august 2024