BMW breathes new life into the childhood hero 3.0 CSL – and it really goes into series production

BMW lifts the curtain on a very special model: the new 3.0 CSL. And yes, it’s actually going into production!

Enthusiasts know the 3.0 CSL as a great version of the E9. The model was used to promote BMW in America when the cars were first imported there some 47 years ago. The CSL later competed in the IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) series and quickly became popular.

BMW 3.0 CSL

BMW is still looking to reap the rewards of that popularity. The brand already showed a 3.0 CSL Hommage R in 2015, but it never went into production. The further development of this does.

However, the first time we saw a BMW 3.0 CSL wasn’t for the US IMSA. In May 1972, 1265 units were built as a special homologation model. For example, it could be driven in the European Touring Car Championship. That was the beginning of BMW M.

The new version

Enough of the past, now everything revolves around the new BMW 3.0 CSL. Under the hood is – as it should be – a 3.0-liter six-cylinder that delivers 560 hp and 550 Nm of torque. This makes it the most powerful six-cylinder engine of all time in a BMW road vehicle.

Power is sent to the rear differential via a manual gearbox. In addition, the 3.0 CSL weighs “only” 1624 kilograms. That means 2.9 kilograms per horsepower. This weight can’t go much higher. The model does not have a back seat on which you can transport three more people.

Limited BMW 3.0 CSL

BMW only produces 50 copies of the model. The price is not yet known to the manufacturer. It’s similar to the current M4 Coupé. And this model has a price of more than 140 grand. We are not surprised if the price rises well above 150,000 euros.