BMW is taking the granular infill of its model lineup very, very seriously. If the M4 with the Competition package isn?t enough for you, but you found the hard-core GTS a touch too much, the M division?s offering the new M4 CS, introduced at the Shanghai auto show. What?s more, the new CS signals a distinct pyramid for the M cars. This isn?t going to be the last CS we see. You?ll have your standard models, your Competition package cars, the special-edition CS machines, and finally, the GTS or equivalent track-oriented automobiles.
Compared with a Competition package M4, the CS has 10 more horsepower under its carbon-fiber hood, pushing the total to 454. BMW says this punts the CS to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, which matches our test of a 2016 Competition-pack-equipped car. Top speed is 174 mph, and BMW estimates that consumption on the Euro cycle will stand at 28 mpg. That’s with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. As was the case with the GTS, there won’t be a manual.
Underneath, the suspension is largely unchanged from the Competition package, featuring forged-aluminum links and hub carriers. Said hubs bolt to 19 x 9 front and 20 x 10 wheels unique to the CS, shod in non-U.S. markets with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The sticky Pilots measure 265/35R-19 up front and 285/30R-20 at the rear.  Downgrading to a less track-focused Michelin tire is a no-cost option, but good luck matching the CS?s 7:38 lap time around the Nürburgrin...