We’re going to get some flack for this. However to grasp the brand new M4 CSL you to grasp the earlier two CSLs. Germans like patterns and this new M4 CSL follows the patterns developed within the 1971 3.0 CSL as a lot because the 2004 BMW M3 CSL. The purpose is to create an especially succesful highway automotive with fettling carried out to the engine, suspension topped off by a strict food plan. This new BMW M4 CSL follows that very same recipe however in a really 2023 type of manner. Does it have the identical magic as each of BMW’s earlier CSLs? Let’s discover out.

Casting apart biases that many people have and searching critically on the new 2023 BMW M4 CSL its laborious to not fall in love. Sure it’s heavy at 3,640 lbs and sure it type of seems to be like a Mustang (all 4 Collection coupes do sadly). However BMW succeeded in constructing a automotive that feels fast, snug and exceedingly particular. There’s an engagement and functionality that’s clearly a step on from the usual M4 or M4 competitors.

Downsides? Past the general form there are a couple of. Let’s begin with that 8 pace computerized. It’s merely the mistaken transmission for this automotive. Cut back the torque and provides it a guide or put money into a twin clutch various. Certainly BMW has loads of information and Powerpoints that may clarify why they did neither however the result’s a transmission that by no means blends seamlessly into the expertise. Whether or not it’s a hair late on shifts or not as aware of inputs as you’d count on, it merely can’t ship the pure expertise the remainder of the automotive does.

Whereas we solely drove the M4 CSL on clean California roads we will think about that its suspension tuning would go away lots to be desired on the pot-marked roads of UK or the midwest US. Lastly it is a large automotive and thus its pure habitat aren’t the tight canyon roads {that a} final technology M2 CS would eat alive. As an alternative it is a automotive that feels at residence on a quick flowing observe just like the BMW Efficiency Middle in Thermal California or the sweeping mountain roads close by.

For $139,900 you get lots of M4 plus the shortage of a mannequin that BMW has solely produced three of in 50 years. And it’s a mannequin that seems like there’s little or no competitors from Europe. The closet automotive Porsche makes to this price-point is the GT4 which a scalpel in comparison with the CSL’s blunt method.

The place does that go away there M4 CSL? In brief the CSL is a automotive that fulfills the transient and delivers unbelievable efficiency in a novel bundle. It’s not excellent and (just like the E46 M43 CSL) is held again by its transmission. However taken on the entire it’s an impressive M automotive that years down the highway will probably be thought-about one of many high-points of the pre-hybrid period.