The 2025 BMW M4 CS returns as a refined automotive benchmark

Returning to the M4 range for the 2025 model year is the highly regarded “CS” badge, denoting a variant of the iconic sports coupe that melds the hardcore performance of the CSL with the everyday usability of humbler M4 variants, resulting in an astonishing conglomeration that perfectly suits the needs of all the everyday adrenaline junkies out there.

The 2025 M4 CS acts as a sort of “GT3 Touring” in the M4 range
The 2025 M4 CS acts as the “GT3 Touring” of the M4 range in its lineup placement philosophy, combining the juggernaut powertrain of its CSL older brother, with its 543HP twin-turbocharged 3.0L S58 inline-six perched beneath its carbon fiber bonnet, with a more liveable suspension setup, and an interior cabin with four seats.

Although an optional manual transmission is absent, the CS makes up for it with its brilliantly tuned ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic, which routes thrust to all four wheels via BMW’s intuitive xDrive system. What this all delivers is a package that could feasibly serve as someone's daily driver but with race car levels of tire-chewing excitement. 

Of course, if you have an appetite for slides or are a die-hard BMW M purist, 100% of the power can be sent to the rear wheels, and with 479 lb-ft of torque at your disposal, you’ll surely be grinning from ear to ear around those tight corners.

Although the tail will gladly kick itself out upon your request, the M4 CS sits on Michelin Pilot Cup 2 R tires, meaning you’ll never be at a loss for traction when needed. With a recorded Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7 minutes and 21.99 seconds, you can rest assured that the M4 CS has the dynamic capabilities to back up its vivacious appearance.

BMW’s contemporary eccentric nature is not lost
Aesthetically, the M4 borrows styling details from the CSL, with plentiful carbon fiber aero bits, eccentric paint color options with red accents strewn about the body lines, and stringy LED tail lights that look like they know their way around a rave. On the inside, the red accents continue, and a sleek, flat-bottomed Alcantara steering wheel appears ready to be held onto for dear life.

A relative performance bargain for enthusiasts
Pricing starts at $124,675, which may seem like a vast sum to pony up for a brightly painted compact coupe with a pig snout for a face, but when you consider that’s about the same price as a base Porsche 911 Carrera, without any of the countless multi-thousand-dollar additional options, it suddenly seems like a relative performance bargain.

That’s a 155-horsepower gap between the two cars, not to mention other advantages for the BMW such as all-wheel drive, properly usable cargo space, and the ability to turn your nose up at other BMW owners who lack the exclusive “CS” badging.

The 2025 BMW M4 CS should find its way to a showroom floor near you soon if it hasn’t been scooped up already by an eager enthusiast, and we’re excited to get our hands on one to see how it stacks up on the road.