CSL stands for Competition, Sport, Lightweight, and BMW M applies it sparingly. This one is limited to 1,000 cars and is the most powerful production coupe the division has built.

The weight programme accounts for 109 kg. The rear seats are gone; the roof, hood and boot lid are carbon fiber; the M Carbon bucket seats save 24 kg on their own; carbon-ceramic brakes, forged wheels and lighter springs and struts remove another 21 kg; and reduced sound insulation and trim accounts for a further 15 kg. The titanium exhaust saves 4 kg more.

The engine is the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six at 551 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 650 Nm from 2,750 to 5,950 rpm, driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. 0 to 100 km/h takes 3.7 seconds and top speed is 307 km/h. Around the Nordschleife it recorded 7:20.2.

The chassis is unique to the car: about 8 mm lower than the M4 Competition, with rigid mounts tying the rear subframe to the body and bespoke anti-roll bars. Tires are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R, 275/35ZR19 front and 285/30ZR20 rear, with six-piston front calipers on carbon-ceramic discs.

Visually it announces itself with the Y-shape kidney grille outlined in red, a front diffuser with side fins, yellow daytime running lights, a vented hood and a double-bubble carbon roof. The ducktail on the boot lid is a direct reference to the E46 M3 CSL, and the tail lamps use BMW Laser technology. Inside, carbon runs from the seat frames to a console made only for this model.