This is the first time we’ve caught an official glimpse of what we believe is the upcoming 2022 BMW M4 CSL coupe.
BMW M is currently knee-deep in its 50th anniversary celebration and during a video it uploaded to YouTube there’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shot of what could be the M4 CSL.
The performance division has confirmed it’s going to be revealing a new M car at its Concorso d’Eleganza Villa D’Este event on May 20, 2022.
The M4 CSL comes into frame at around 38 seconds and can be identified by its ducktail spoiler.
Previously spied M4 CSL prototypes have had a very similar spoiler, which is reminiscent of that of the E46 M3 CSL of the early 2000s.
M4 CSL prototype
CSL has classically stood for Coupe Sport Lightweight, as an English translation, and the E46 M3 CSL was 110kg lighter than the regular M3 and packed extra power and torque.
There’s also what appears to be carbon ceramic brakes with gold-painted brake calipers, which is consistent with previously spied prototypes.
There isn’t much else of the yellow M4 that can be seen during the video but prototypes have previously been spied with a prominent chin spoiler, an aggressive aero bodykit, and a unique kidney grille with an insert that shows off a lot of the intercooler lurking behind it.
BMW is remaining tight-lipped around what’s under the bonnet of the M4 CSL but it’s expected to be a reworked 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with more power and torque than the regular M4.
For context, the regular M4 Competition produces 375kW of power and 650Nm of torque.
A BimmerPost forum member, who claims to compile leaks from within BMW, wrote that the M4 CSL will reportedly produce 402kW and send power to the rear wheels only via an eight-speed automatic.
Other notable features the forum member mentioned was the M4 CSL will receive standard M racing bucket seats, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, and “special M headlights” as an option.
Production of the BMW M4 CSL will reportedly start in July 2022.
Also in the upper-left corner of the video’s thumbnail is a white M4 that could reportedly be an upcoming special edition called the M4 GT/H, according to the BimmerPost member.
This model can be seen with what appears to be the M4 CSL’s unique grille insert but with a bonnet that has black scooped-out sections and a power bulge.
It’s unclear at this stage if this bonnet will be exclusive to the M4 GT/H as we never saw a clear shot of the yellow M4 CSL in the video.
This M4 GT/H will reportedly be specified very similarly to the M4 CSL but will come with a manual transmission instead. It’ll reportedly enter production in November 2022.
MORE: Everything BMW M4
