Skip advert
Advertisement

New BMW 3.0 CSL revealed

Modern day homage to the 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ packs 552bhp and a manual gearbox

The final hurrah of BMW M’s 50th anniversary celebrations has now been revealed with the highly bespoke and very exclusive BMW 3.0 CSL. Built in homage to BMW's original 3.0 CSL that was introduced in 1972 (itself as a homologation special), the new model channels its bespoke nature with a striking combination of technical and visual elements. Limited to 50 units, the CSL’s price has not been confirmed, but is expected to extend well into seven figures.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Starting under the new carbon skin, the 3.0 CSL is the most powerful six-cylinder BMW M model yet featuring an uprated version of the M4’s S58 turbocharged 3-litre in-line six, paired exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission. It’s capable of producing 552bhp, 10bhp more than the new M4 CSL and 49bhp more than you’ll find in a standard M4 Competition. Torque is a different story, however, as the six-speed manual has a lower torque cap, its 405lb ft considerably lower – one shared with the non-UK market base M4 and incoming M2

To this, BMW M’s usual packet of hardware is applied – there’s an electronically-controlled BMW M rear differential, M Servotronic steering and clever 10-stage traction and stability control programs. The suspension layout is also familiar, so there’s double-joint spring struts up front and a five-link setup at the rear running electronically controlled dampers and standard steel springs. 

The brakes are a carbon ceramic setup with 400mm discs on the front axle and 380mm discs at the rear. These sit behind unique, staggered 20- and 21-inch forged wheels with a lattice design within their spokes and are – for the first time on a BMW – centre-lock as you might find on a Porsche 911 GT3. These are wrapped in a bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyre with ‘50’ insignias integrated into their sidewalls. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

The bodywork is almost all bespoke, with carbonfibre making up a majority of the new parts including the front and rear bumpers, rear wing, bonnet, roof skin and bootlid. Perhaps most dramatically styled are the wheel arch extensions, which reference previous CSL homage concept cars from BMW’s recent past. The front wings are their own bespoke units, but the rear arch extensions sit over the top of an existing M4’s Coupe's side pressing, neatly integrating into the rear wing. 

BMW has reinstated the rear window’s Hofmeister kink (and rightly so), sitting within a satin silver frame that follows the contour of a standard M4’s rear window opening. This does leave space to integrate BMW’s heritage roundel though – another reference to the 1972 original. The rear end is dominated by the two wings, one of the boot lid and one at the leading edge of the roof. These sit above a bespoke boot lid that displaces the numberplate to the lower bumper, where it sits above four round tail pipes integrated into the big rear diffuser. 

Through the extensive use of carbonfibre and elements like the forged wheels, stripped out interior and a titanium exhaust silencer, a considerable amount of weight is expected to have been removed, although BMW has yet to give us a specific figure. They did, however, release a 2.9kg/hp power-to-weight ratio, which suggests a weight figure of 1624kg, 76kg lighter than the M4 CSL and around 100kg down on a standard M4 Competition. Using other BMW M models for context (ie. the M2), 25kg of this weight saving will have been derived through the use of the lighter manual transmission. 

Each of the 50 units will be built by hand, each finished in BMW’s iconic livery. The livery itself is hand-applied with paint rather than stickers or decals, meaning that each component with a painted stripe requires a 134-step process to finish. This, together with the hand-built assembly, gives the 3.0 CSL a 10 day production sequence. It’ll take three months for BMW to complete the 50-unit build run. 

BMW has not committed to a price, but has indicated that this will be an expensive model for its most auspicious of customers. This will give it a price tag that’s well into seven figures, likely making this the most expensive road-going BMW M model in its 50 year history. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Is the Corvette ZR1 reigniting the lap time wars?
Corvette ZR1 lap times
News

Is the Corvette ZR1 reigniting the lap time wars?

With five new production car lap records set on American tracks, is GM’s 1000bhp hypercar fighter throwing down the gauntlet to European manufacturers…
14 Feb 2025
BMW M4 (F82, 2014-2020) review – a flawed M car that became a brilliant one
BMW M4 – front
In-depth reviews

BMW M4 (F82, 2014-2020) review – a flawed M car that became a brilliant one

We didn’t love the F82 M4 when we first drove it, but it evolved into a hugely exciting and capable coupe later in its life
12 Feb 2025
BMW M4 CSL (2022-2023) review – a modern-day road racer that leaves us slightly cold
BMW M4 CSL
Reviews

BMW M4 CSL (2022-2023) review – a modern-day road racer that leaves us slightly cold

Lighter, meaner and more aggressive than the base car, the M4 CSL can be a riot on the right road, but it doesn't deliver on the promise of the CSL ba…
11 Feb 2025
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2005 - 2017) – Aston’s long-serving foil for the 911
Aston Martin V8 Vantage front
Reviews

Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2005 - 2017) – Aston’s long-serving foil for the 911

The so-called ‘baby Aston’ was always punchy but got better and better over the years. It's now a sorely tempting used prospect
4 Feb 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Jaguar GT seen on the road: 1000bhp production car prepares to launch Jag’s new era
Jaguar 2026 front
News

New Jaguar GT seen on the road: 1000bhp production car prepares to launch Jag’s new era

Jaguar’s new electric GT continues testing ahead its late-2025 reveal
7 Feb 2025
Used Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR (2019) – Mk7’s soft sendoff still bests any Mk8
Golf GTI TCR
Reviews

Used Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR (2019) – Mk7’s soft sendoff still bests any Mk8

Quick and composed on road or track, the Golf GTI has talents we miss, even if it didn’t sparkle when new
13 Feb 2025
Ill-conceived government legislation will kill the UK car industry
Porsche Taycan charging
Opinion

Ill-conceived government legislation will kill the UK car industry

The car industry and legislators cant meet in the middle and find a compromise soon enough
13 Feb 2025