The Clubsport should be a great drive, but we're still waiting for the real lightweight 3-series - the M3 CSL. Sources close to BMW suggest that the CSL has been given the green-light for production but not in the radical form of the concept shown at the Frankfurt show last year. Sound deadening will be ditched and the more spartan interior will feature lightweight race seats, but the concept's extensive use of carbonfibre will not make it to production. The CSL should weigh at least 50kg less than the M3 and could receive a mild power boost to around 350bhp. Production is scheduled to start in mid-2003.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that BMW Motorsport is developing a version of the Mini Cooper. The Cooper M is currently undergoing chassis development at the Nürburgring and is said to produce stunning lap times. BMW's M division has fettled the supercharged 1.6-litre Cooper S engine to produce a reliable 220bhp (up from 163) and this figure could rise if the front-drive chassis proves up to the job. No official word on production dates but some time in 2003 seems likely.
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