This is the new BMW M4 CS: more power, more speed, (slightly) less weight

This is the new BMW M4 CS. And no, it is clearly not pleased to see you. Doesn’t have to be either, because this new performance coupe packs 542bhp and 479lb ft of torque and becomes the fastest-accelerating version of the M4 you can buy.

It’s described as being ‘exactly midway’ in character between the base M4 Comp and M4 CSL but packs the latter car’s power output and comfortably outguns both in the 0-62mph stakes. In this new CS, that’s 3.4s, versus the Comp’s 3.5s, and the (RWD-only) CSL’s 3.7s.

You want more numbers? Fine. There’s 4WD and an eight-speed auto ‘box. It’ll go from 0-124mph in 11.1s, max out at 188mph, manage a lap of the Nürburgring – “the ultimate barometer for all BMW M cars” – in 7m 21.989s, and features 2.1 bar of pressure to the 3.0-litre six’s twin turbos (explaining most of the horsepower gain).

‘A-ha,’ you cry, ‘it’s a CS, it has to be lighter, right?’ And yes, it is. A bit. BMW has fitted a number of body panels made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP, including the roof, bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, mirror caps, rear diffuser and rear spoiler.

There’s a new titanium rear silencer on the exhaust, lightweight 19in/20in wheels (front and back) shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s (or Cup 2 Rs on request), and more CFRP inside the cabin on places like the centre console, the shift paddles, interior trim and the standard-fit M Carbon bucket seats.

Consider the base M4 Competition weighs in at a fairly hefty 1,700kgs, and the ‘lightweight’ CSL 1,625kg. Being Goldilocks, this one trims 20kg from the 4WD base car to weigh in at 1,680kg.

There’s a strut brace up front, and BMW’s tweaked a number of suspension components for CS duty, including the adaptive dampers, axle kinematics, camber, springs and anti-roll bars. The DSC and M Dynamic Mode have both been geared a bit more towards hooliganism too (OK, “dynamic circuit driving”).

Naturally you get a couple of new paint finishes, including the rather fetching green pictured here and a ‘Riviera Blue’, the non-fetching red contour line outlining the kidney grille, new headlights, and a load of leather and CS lettering inside. There’s the ‘Curved Display’, iDrive 8.5, lights that tell you when to upshift, voice control and BMW’s ‘M Drive Professional’ system bundled in as well. That comes with a lap timer and drift analyser, don't forget.

Prices? They’ll kick off from £117,100, and you’ll be able to order one towards the end of this month. Not that the M4 CS cares.