Hand-made carbon fiber highlights CSL
Just 50 of these super-Ms will be built
BMW has just launched the most hardcore offering in its celebration of 50 years of M. The BMW 3.0 CLS brings back an iconic name and sticks it on a carbon-bodied M4 with the most powerful inline-six BMW has ever built. With a manual gearbox.
Just 50 of these special cars will be built, and they won’t be made alongside a standard M4. Instead, BMW will build each one at the same plant that builds the 7 Series and body panels for Rolls-Royce models.
30 hand-picked techs will work on the 3.0 CSLs, and the construction process will take 10 days. The custom carbon fiber components for the car’s bodywork will be laid out by hand by BMW workers. Each part with a stripe takes six days for paintwork to be completed.
The 3.0 CSL is a tribute to the car of the same name from 1973. A championship-winning racecar from BMW that’s now known as the Batmobile for its outrageous bodywork. The modern car takes a lot from that car, including the massive arches, roof spoiler, and rear wing.
Powering the 3.0 CSL is a 3.0L inline-six tuned by BMW M to make 553 hp. It’s the most power BMW has made from a roadgoing inline-six to date and a healthy 50 more than the standard BMW M4. The engine makes just 9 hp more than the M4 CSL, but loses 73 lb-ft of torque due to the capabilities of the transmission.
A six-speed manual sends power to the rear wheels, and the CSL has an Active M limited-slip differential. The car will also have rev-matching for perfect downshifts on the track. The tires (on center-lock wheels) are exclusive to the CSL. Michelin has even embossed a “50” into the sidewall to show off.
M carbon brakes are standard and the car will have plenty of carbon inside (including the fixed-back racing seats). BMW has binned much of the sound insulation as well to help lighten the car further. There are, of course, plenty of CLS logos around the cabin as well, letting you know this is the special one.
BMW didn’t announce a price for the 3.0 CSL, but with just 50 copies and so much bespoke construction, expect it to be by far the most expensive M car ever built. And don’t expect to see one on the road, sadly.
