[Auto] BMW confirms M5 CS will be unveiled in early 2021

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BMW has confirmed the new, hardcore M5 CS is due to be unveiled later this month - and has confirmed it will boast a 626bhp power output.

 

 

The most powerful M5 was briefly teased in an Instagram post by BMW M boss Markus Flasch, who revealed the output of the car's engine. The 626bhp total puts it ahead of the M5 Competition’s 616bhp and will mean a 0-62mph time very close to three seconds dead.

 

A sign in the background of the Instagram post had the words ‘You shall drift everyday’ written on it, giving a clue as to how BMW sees this car performing.

Coupled with a confirmed weight loss of 70kg over the M5 Competition, it means the M5 CS will be the most focused M5 yet. Details of exactly where BMW has trimmed the weight from remain scarce at this

stage, but Flasch did confirm that the M5 CS will feature carbon bucket seats, like in the M3 and M4. However, unlike a lot of lightweight specials, the M5 CS will still feature rear seats so it appears that

practicality hasn’t been completely sacrificed for the sake of performance.

 

Flasch also revealed a few glimpses of some design details that will set the CS apart from the other M5s. Gold bronze highlights feature heavily, appearing on the front grille surround, forged alloys and side strake. The car also gets a subtle ‘M5 CS’ badge on the front grille.

 

Carbon ceramic brakes are mentioned, including red calipers. Unusually, the car also has yellow headlights, in a nod to BMW’s motorsport heritage.

Although Flasch didn’t mention anything regarding the exhaust or suspension set-up in his Instagram post, we would also expect to see a bespoke performance exhaust and firmer suspension, in line with the car’s performance angle.

As Autocar has reported previously, the M5 CS will likely command a significant premium over the standard M5. We can expect it to start from well over £100,000, given the £102,235 price of the current M5 Competition.

 

The new variant will be badged an M5 CS, placing the M5 alongside other M cars that have received the CS treatment. BMW also offers an M2 CS, and there were CS versions of the previous-generation M3 and M4.

Prototypes for the M5 CS have been testing for months and now we have the first details thanks to Markus Flasch, the head of the BMW M division. In the teaser video, he confirmed that the M5 CS will have a peak output of 635 horsepower, though this is likely to be a metric rating used in Germany and thus could be reduced to 626 hp when rated in the United States. In comparison, the regular M5 makes 600 hp and the M5 Competition makes 617 hp.

 

Flasch also confirmed a 70-kilogram (154-pound) weight reduction from the M5 Competition, with one of the weight-saving measures being the addition of lightweight carbon-fiber bucket seats borrowed from the latest M3 and M4. Flasch also said the car is a strict four-seater.

Other elements confirmed for the M5 CS are forged aluminum wheels and a carbon-ceramic brake package with calipers painted red (as opposed to the traditional blue used on M cars). The wheels will feature an exclusive bronze finish that will also be applied to other areas of the car, like on the grille. Another exclusive touch will be motorsport-inspired yellow headlights, albeit only for the daytime running lights.

 

There could be more. CS models tend to feature less restrictive electronic nannies, and there have been rumors of a newly developed V-8 possibly making its debut in this M5 CS. We'll know soon so stay tuned.