All done without an engine swap and with meticulous fettling of the BMW’s original 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six. It's yet more proof that the BMW B58 and S58 six-cylinder engines are the closest things we've got to a modern 2JZ engine.
Unveiled in 2022, the M4 CSL, a lightened, track-going version of the production G82 M4, was limited to just 1,000 examples worldwide. Up to 240 pounds of flab was detached over the standard M4, and power was given a boost of 40 horsepower, meaning the CSL could tear from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.
Laughing derisively at those figures, Manhart has now added its own intercooler and TTH turbocharger, plus new forged pistons and connecting rods, and performed an ECU remap to hike the CSL’s 543 hp to 922 hp, and 479 lb-ft of torque to an ungodly 878 lb-ft. That’s a staggering uplift for a model that was already capable of lapping the Nürburgring in less than seven and a half minutes.
Bear in mind, all of that ludicrous power is still being sent to the rear wheels only via BMW’s eight-speed M Steptronic transmission (we hope the new owner has good reflexes, but if they don’t, a rear roll cage has also been installed). To save the gearbox from turning itself inside out at high revs, this has also received Manhart’s Stage 2 upgrade. The, what we will generously describe as ‘raucous,’ engine notes now erupt through a new Remus-developed Manhart stainless steel exhaust system, complete with 110-millimeter quad carbon-coated tips.
Beneath the surface, new coilover springs from H&R and “suspension optimization” have been mounted for sharper handling on the MH4 900. Interestingly, the CSL’s stock carbon ceramic brakes appear to have been untouched, such is Manhart’s faith in their performance, though tuning options are available upon request.
The ‘Black Sapphire’ metallic offered as standard on the production M4 CSL (or ‘Frozen Brooklyn Grey’ if you were feeling bold…) has been updated with Manhart’s customary champagne accenting (this is also the case across the bucket seats, the new floot mats, and, in a neat touch, the engine bracing). You may also notice that the retro BMW M 50th anniversary badge on the nose has also been ejected in favor of Manhart’s own branding.
The new package, which includes an aggressive Manhart bodykit, now rides on matte-black, multi-spoke alloys from Raffa (20 inches at the front, 21 inches at the rear). We doubt that any of this has positively affected the CSL’s pseudo-welterweight 3,574-pound total, though Manhart has thrown copious amounts of carbon fiber at the hood – now with new ‘GTR’ air intakes – the tail lip spoiler, side skirts and fenders, the rear diffuser and even the mirror caps to help offset the difference.
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