Tag Archives: BMW M4 CSL

The BMW M4 CSL Probably Won’t be a Manual and That’s Okay

At the moment, we’re told that the upcoming BMW M4 CSL is going to be rear-wheel drive-only and will only use an automatic transmission. While we’re also told that a manual transmission option is not 100 percent off the table, it’s still highly unlikely that we’ll see an M4 CSL manual. And you know what, that’s okay.

When the BMW M4 CSL debuts, it’s going to be the most powerful M3/M4 of all time, making somewhere around 550-560 horsepower from its 3.0 liter twin-turbo I6. We don’t know if torque will increase much but, judging my other upgraded BMW M models, probably not. Yet, even the M3/M4 Competition — which makes 479 lb-ft of torque — is only available with an automatic transmission. While BMW could likely offer a manual transmission that could handle the torque, the shift quality wouldn’t be great.

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Photo by www.instagram.com/wilcoblok

BMW M has already said that to make manual transmissions capable of handling all of that torque can result in poor shift quality. Making a manual that can handle all that power and shift nicely is likely quite expensive and BMW doesn’t seem very interested in investing money into manual transmissions.

Since BMW isn’t very interested in investing in manuals, if the M4 CSL were to get a manual, it’d likely be the same six-speed unit as in the standard M3/M4. And that one isn’t great. The shift quality is very rubbery and doesn’t like to be rushed. If BMW could offer a 911 GT3-style manual in the M4 CSL — with the Porsche’s slick, well-oiled feeling shift quality — we’d be all for it. But that’s doubtful, given BMW’s modern track record.

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However, the eight-speed automatic, while not quite as snappy as the old dual-clutch unit, works very well in the M4 Competition. It also feels as if the engine was built for that transmission from the jump, as the powertrain calibration is nothing short of perfect.

In a perfect world, would we want to see a BMW M4 CSL with a slick-shifting manual transmission? Of course. But this isn’t a perfect world and the economics of the current automotive market likely mean that BMW isn’t giving the CSL a manual and even if it were to, it’d be a lackluster unit. I don’t know about you but I think the M4 CSL would be better off with a great automatic than a subpar manual. So we’re almost certainly not going to see a manual CSL but, honestly, that’s okay.

[Spy photos by www.instagram.com/wilcoblok]

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BMWBLOG Podcast Episode 37: Rolls-Royce Ghost, M4 CSL and Special Guest Teaser

I ride solo again in this week’s episode of the BMWBLOG Podcast but there are some good topics to dig into. Next week, though, we have a special guest that gets teased in this episode, so stay tuned until the end to get that teaser. To start off this week’s episode 37, we talk about the Rolls-Royce Ghost, BMW M4 CSL and my test drive of the Audi R8.

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The new Ghost is a car I’m very interested in, for the reasons mentioned in this episode. It’s a pretty interesting new Rolls, as it sort of bucks the brand’s typical trends. Not only did Rolls put more time and effort into the Ghost than any other car, which is interesting because it’s the Phantom that’s supposed to be the ultimate Roller, but it’s also different than any other Rolls.

The Ghost is actually a bit more engaging, a bit more exciting than any other Rolls before it, all designed to attract a new, younger fanbase that the brand has never had before. So we discuss that in the episode.

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Then, we talk about the BMW M4 CSL. We recently saw some odd spy photos of an M4 wearing M Performance parts, which we mistook as an M4 CSL. While the car we saw wasn’t actually the CSL, we do know one is coming and it should be an interesting car. Based on what BMW has at its disposal at the moment, the M4 CSL has the chance to become a genuine successor to the E46 M3 CSL. So we’re very excited to see what it becomes.

Lastly, I talk about my personal experience driving the Audi R8. I know, I know, it’s a Volkswagen Group product and this is BMWBLOG but it’s relevant. I tested the R8 for a week and it blew me away. I suspected I’d like it, prior to driving it, but I didn’t expect to fall in love with the thing. It has the best engine I’ve ever used and it actually made me sad that nothing from BMW is as exciting or as interesting as the R8.

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Before I sign off, I tease our guest for next week, which is a good one so please stay tuned for it. Believe me, you’re going to want to catch next week’s episode. You can expect a podcast episode from us each week and you can find each episode almost anywhere you can find podcasts. So Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher and Radiopublic.

As always, let us know what you think about the podcast and ask me any questions you’d like me to answer on it — nico@bmwblog.com.

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BMW M4 CSL rendered based on the recent M4 leak

Rendering artist Nicolas Cavero (@futurecarsnow) brings us the first rendering of a future BMW M4 CSL. The Photoshoped image is based on the recently G82 M4 leak. The next-gen M4 Coupe was spotted just a few days ago and turned the BMW world upside-down.

The reason for that? Its enormous kidney grille which takes a different approach than the recently unveiled BMW 4 Series Coupe. Compared to the standard 4 Series, the M4 high-performance coupe will use a two-piece kidney grille, spread vertically across the front-fascia and featuring horizontal and functional slats.

Therefore, the rendering artist used those new M design elements and combined them with some cues from the current F82 BMW M4 GTS.

But the render is more than just an M4 GTS with a new grille stuck on its face. Its hood has been redesigned to match the new 4 Series cars, as have the headlights and the car’s flanks. Its sides have been smoothed out, with less body lines and creases.

Furthermore, the previous BMW M4’s Hofmeister Kink has been removed. There is also a subtle carbon fiber front lip painted in orange to match the M4 GTS’ wheels.

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A massive racing spoiler peaks from the back, a statement to the true DNA of the future M4 CSL.

For BMW enthusiasts, there are three letters that can make them shiver with excitement — “CSL”. First, there was the legendary 3.0 CSL which one Sebring in 1975. That car brought the CSL nameplate to the mainstream for automotive enthusiasts. After the iconic E46-generation BMW M3 CSL, fans have held those three letters in the highest regard.

Upcoming BMW G87 M2 rendered with huge grilles

And now, the iconic moniker will make a return. As hinted in 2019, BMW M is planning to retire the GTS naming convention used on its track-ready cars and replace it with the more marketing-friendly “CSL.”

But first, we will see the rear-wheel drive only BMW M3/M4 arriving this year, followed a year later by the all-wheel drive M3/M4. We expect the BMW M4 CSL to arrive sometimes in 2022.