2025 BMW M4 CS Acceleration: How Fast Can This Beast Go?
In the realm of high-performance vehicles, the 2025 BMW M4 CS stands as a glaring testament to the German brand's relentless pursuit of excellence. Although it may not hold the title of the fastest-accelerating production BMW, the M4 CS’s blistering performance can effortlessly stand shoulder to shoulder with the giants of the BMW lineup. Clocking in at a remarkable 3.4 seconds for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint, it matches the once-revered times of the older M5, and only narrowly trails behind the M5 Competition, M5 CS, and the M8 in a straight-line showdown. With official figures placing the M5 Competition and M5 CS at 3.3 seconds and the M8 at a flat 3 seconds, the M4 CS nudges close to this elite cadre of speed machines.
This past week at Austria's Salzburgring, we had the exhilarating opportunity to push the G82 series M4 CS to its limits. BMW graciously extended an invitation, allowing us to unleash the M4 CS. Their quoted sprint time is a half-second improvement over the F82 model which launched in 2017, a testament to the progress BMW has made in performance engineering since then.
Engineering Marvels: Speed, Power, and Precision
Much of the M4 CS's improved performance can be attributed to advancements like the adoption of BMW's xDrive system and an uptick in power. According to BMW, the new M4 CS rockets from standstill to 124 mph (200 km/h) in a sizzling 11.1 seconds. While the previous model's time remains undisclosed, it’s evident that the new iteration boasts significant enhancements.
The top speed, too, tells a story of refined engineering, clocking in at a robust 188 mph (302 km/h) compared to its predecessor's 174 mph (280 km/h). Both iterations come with an electronic speed limiter as standard, implying that enthusiasts willing to bypass this restriction can explore even higher velocities. But numbers alone don’t tell the full story; BMW promises the M4 CS is imbued with driving dynamics that offer an even more exhilarating experience than the Competition xDrive version upon which it’s based.
Price, Exclusivity, and Market Position
With a premium starting price of $124,675, the M4 CS isn’t just banking on speed and agility; it’s also positioning itself as a luxury item. This price point makes it roughly $35,000 more expensive than its base sibling, the M4 Competition xDrive, and about $20,000 pricier than the first-generation M4 CS. However, BMW's gamble on a higher price tag seems justified as this version aims to be a collectible gem. Restricted to a production run of fewer than 2,000 units, the M4 CS’s allure is only enhanced by its limited availability.
Despite the sharp price hike, the exclusivity and performance enhancements are likely to make it a resounding success among enthusiasts and collectors. As we wait to see how the market responds, one thing is clear: BMW has crafted a machine that’s more than just a sum of its parts.