2025 BMW M4 CS Retains Competition Sport Formula: More Power, Less Weight

You can often judge a BMW’s potency by the inclusion of that special “M” signifier attached to whatever number denotes the series; M, of course, being their in-house performance wing. But there’s another acronym, one spotted far less frequently, that ramps up the performance game further.

BMW has just unveiled the next M to carry that acronym, the 2025 M4 CS, an upgrade over the current M4 Competition. In case you’re unaware, “CS” stands for “Competition Sport,” and, historically speaking, a BMW carrying those extra consonants is an ambassador for M’s ultimate road-faring performance.

The new M4 CS is no exception, kicking things up a notch in terms of horsepower and handling, all while trimming down for a more lightweight package– a formula used time and time again, which we’ve just as frequently applauded.

Under the hood is a turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline-six engine, tuned to put out 543 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 20 horsepower over the BMW M4 Competition Coupe. It’s a more powerful version of BMW’s high-revving S58 engine, developed for the M3 and M4 and currently used as the foundation of the M4 GT3’s engine, assembled with a number of advantageous components (a more rigid crankcase, a forged lightweight crankshaft, an oil delivery system devised with track use in mind, etc). 

Peak torque is available from 2,750 to 5,950 rpm, with max power delivered at 6,250 rpm; not far from the engine’s 7,200 rpm redline. When it’s sent to the pavement through the eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-biased all-wheel drive system, drivers can expect  0-62 mph sprints to end in 3.4 seconds, chasing an electronically-limited top speed of 188 mph.

But throwing extra power down isn’t the only way M works their magic, as they’ve flicked their wand at all the underpinnings to round out the experience. The CS receives unique chassis tuning, to include specialized wheel camber settings, Adaptive M suspension, auxiliary springs, anti-roll bars and so forth. Although M Compound brakes are outfitted standard, a set of carbon ceramics are optional; either is hidden behind a unique set of alloy wheels, available in either a matte black or matte bronze finish. It’s a staggered setup, 19 inches upfront and 20 in the rear, wrapped by performance tires– 275/35 on those 19-inch wheels and 285/30 mounted on the 20s.

M was also able to shave 77 pounds off of the M4 Competition Coupe xDrive to make the CS, starting with an extensive use of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) which extends to the roof, hood, front splitter, rear diffuser and spoiler, and various other bits. The interior also incorporates its fair bit of CFRP, like the standard M Carbon bucket seats and miscellaneous trimmings. That said, it’s not a spartan interior, still bringing in BMW’s curved display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and 14.9-inch infotainment screen, into the mix. The aforementioned seats are also covered in Merino leather, joined by various Alcantara upholstering, like that found on the flat-bottomed steering wheel.

And while there’s a bit more technical jargon we could decipher, these are most of the key selling points that BMW wants to get across to prospective buyers. Those individuals can expect to pay a starting price of $124,675 with destination, once production of the 2025 BMW M4 CS begins at BMW’s plant in Dingolfing, Germany, this July.