2023 BMW M4 CSL set to be revealed in May

The 2023 BMW M4 CSL is edging closer to its unveiling.

Barely a week after BMW teased the lightweight M4 during its 50th anniversary celebration, website BMWBlog is reporting the new special-edition will make its debut in May, with limited numbers of the CSL likely to arrive before the end of the year.

Taking its cues from the E46 M3 CSL – the last CSL to be released, almost two decades ago in 2003 – the G82 M4 CSL will feature a ducktail rear spoiler and plenty of carbon-fibre.

A unique front ‘coffin’ grille will be integrated into the front spoiler, along with a deeper front splitter and side winglets.

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Above: A teaser of the upcoming BMW G82 M4 CSL.

Like the previous CSL, the new model will likely be going on a diet to remove excess kilos in an effort to improve acceleration, braking, and handling.

Former BMW M boss Markus Flasch confirmed to German publication Auto Motor und Sport in November the division was “aiming for a three-digit weight saving”, suggesting the new CSL – which translates to ‘Coupé Sport Lightweight’ in English – will tip the scales at less than 1625 kilograms.

While the last CSL enjoyed a near 13 per cent weight reduction, a 100kg reduction is less than a 5.8 per cent drop.

The M4’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine will also be massaged, according to reputable BimmerPost leaker ‘ynguldyn’, with a reported power bump from 375kW to 403kW.

Like the E46, the G82 is said to be coming solely with an automatic transmission – likely the same eight-speed automatic found in the rest of the M4 line-up.

However, the BMW insider has hinted at “a very special limited-edition M4 GT/H will be produced” following the CSL.

“It will be mostly configured like the CSL, but with [a] manual transmission, several options (comfort access, parking sensors, electric seats) deleted, and the forged wheels off [the upcoming G81 M3 wagon],” writes ynguldyn.

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Above: The 2003 BMW E46 M3 CSL.

Other rumoured features of the M4 CSL include; an Alcantara steering wheel, racing buckets as standard, and a choice of either high-performance road tyres or road-legal track tyres.

With the 2023 BMW G82 M4 CSL due to be unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa D’Este event on May 20, and production slated to begin in July, expect the new lightweight model to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2022.

You can watch a video of a prototype M4 CSL testing at the Nürburgring above, from YouTube channel CarSpyMedia.