BACK ON TRACK?

After the slightly under-achieving M4 CSL, could the new M4 CS be the sweet-spot in the M3/M4 range?

- JOHN BARKER

'IF YOU DROP BACK, I WILL SLOW DOWN; IF YOU are close, I will speed up,' says Sven Esch, a driving dynamics engineer at BMW M. I doubt he'll have to speed up. I have driven around the Salzburgring once before but it was literally half a lifetime ago and, looking at the circuit map, I'm sure there's at least one new chicane. So I can't see myself pushing him along after one warm-up and a few flying laps in the new M4 CS.

Sven will be leading in an M3 CS, the saloon with the same 542bhp straight-six as the latest M4 coupe. As we exit the pitlane, I find myself wondering why he isn't also in an M4 CS, although that thought recedes at the sight of him weaving to warm up his Michelin Cup 2 Rs. I feel obliged to do the same.

The idea is that we'll be led round at speed so we can learn about the car rather than trying to remember which way the track goes. As warm-up laps go it's pretty hot, but it shows that the track is quite simple, and that the M4 CS is poised and confidence-inspiring. But I have questions. The main one is why aren't we getting the chance to drive the M4 CS on the road? Perhaps it's the potential to find ourselves on the autobahn in a shower on Cup 2 Rs.

BMW has already delivered quite a few of the many permutations available to it with M3 saloon and Touring, M4 coupe and Convertible, plus Competition, CS and CSL specs, and rear-drive and M xDrive four-wheel drive. The M4 CS seemingly brings nothing new to the party but may be the most desirable derivative of all.