2023 M4 CSL Becomes BMW's Fastest Production Car to Complete Nürburgring’s Nordschleife Lap
40 horsepower more than the M3 Competition while weighing 240 pounds lighter.
In celebration of its 50th-anniversary, BMW M has now created its fastest production car to ever lap the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit: the 2023 M4 CSL. The “CSL” portion stands for Competition Sport Lightweight, which translates to a vehicle that’s not only powerful but also nimble and agile. With 40 more horsepower than the M3 Competition, the new M4 CSL can push out a hefty 543 horsepower while being 240 pounds lighter than its sibling, measuring in at just 3,640 pounds. With those traits combined, the car managed to lap Nordschleife in just 7 minutes and 20.2 seconds, topping the BMW charts. 0-60 mph is achieved in a mere 3.6 seconds while its electronically-limited top speed reaches 191 mph.
Powertrain aside, the M4 CSL also carries a lower ride height than the M4 Competition, paired with an Adaptive M Suspension tune to adjust for the massive reduction in weight which includes helper springs in both the front and rear as well as ball joints that take the place of rubber control arm mounts on the rear subframe. All four wheels are then wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires to give the racer even more of an edge.
Of course, with so much weight shaved off the car, a lot of body alterations had to be made as well. The rear seats have been completely removed, and are now used as a helmet cubby while other components on the car have all been made in carbon fiber to further reduce its load, including the hood, roof, trunk lid and front bucket seats. The exhaust comes in titanium, the brakes are in carbon-ceramic, there’s less sound insulation, and even BMW’s signature grille was made slimmer.
Limited to just 1,000 units made, the 2023 BMW M4 CSL will be available later this year for $140,895 USD.
Elsewhere in the automotive world, Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the GT 63 S E Performance F1 Edition.
