Shanghai Motor Show: 2018 BMW M4 CS revealed

Revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show, the new 2018 BMW M4 CS will fill the gap between the ‘regular’ M4 and the brasher GTS.

The CS cops a power increase of 22kW over its M4 sibling, giving its twin-turbo straight-six 339kW to couple with its 600Nm of torque, which is 50Nm more than the standard M4.

With this extra bit of ‘oomph’, BMW claims the M4 CS will make it to the ton in 3.9 seconds, only a tenth slower than its claim for the GTS.

Oddly, however, BMW claims that despite carbon fibre body panels, the CS weighs 1580kg, which is 70kg more than the GTS and 43kg more than the regular M4.

Keeping the CS on track is a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s wrapped around 19-inch wheels at the front, and 20s at the rear. Pilot Super Sports are available as an option for more road-focused drivers.

BMW says the new lightweight alloys were developed especially for the CS, and are based on the wheel design found on its M4 DTM racers.

Behind that, standard compound brakes can be replaced with larger carbon ceramics with six-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) calipers.

Further in, BMW’s active M Differential is found, which “factors in the accelerator position, the rotational wheel speeds, and the yaw rate of the M4 CS, and adapts to the changing driving situation” to “produce a locking effect between zero and 100 per cent”.

The bodywork says all it needs to about its positioning between the M4 and the GTS, with enough little ‘angry bits’ to differentiate itself from the M4 without looking GTS-wild.

A carbon fibre lip spoiler and diffuser will be the most obvious differences for most, though keen eyes will notice a new set of rear lights – the same as are seen on the GTS.

“As on the M4 GTS, the distinctive rear lights on the BMW M4 CS are designed entirely using pioneering OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology and produce a fascinating 3D effect,” BMW says.

Inside, the CS is treated to a slathering of Alcantara, including on its M-Sport wheel. The suede-like covering is paired with merino leather (fancy!), which both make up the materials of the seats.

Also on the front seats are M stripes and an illuminated M logo.

While it’s not yet confirmed for local release, it’s likely Australia will see a few in Q4 2017 as it recently became the biggest market for M cars as a percentage of total BMW sales .