05 November 2009 - 11:00
Return of the M3 CSL
Massive Shouty Opening Line Alert: the BMW M3 CSL is back!
Only, it's not called the CSL. It's called the GTS, which is quite a good name, but not as good as the CSL.
But, in all but name, this is it: BMW's spiritual successor to the lightweight, legendary M3 CSL, unveiled at the SEMA show and set to go on sale in UK early next year, priced at just over £100,000.
Created primarily as a track-day special - but with the option for homologation for the road - the GTS is lighter and more powerful than the stock M3.
Around 155kg lighter and 30bhp more powerful, to be exact, giving a power-to-weight ratio of 300bhp per tonne.
That weight loss has been achieved by stripping the cabin down to its bare essentials: the GTS gets racing seats, carbon fibre trim and a notable absence of sound-deadening stuff, alongside a race-spec roll cage and proper six-point harnesses. The M3's air conditioning and sound system have been mercilessly ripped out, too.
The M3's 4.0-litre V8 has been just as heavily revised. Boosted in capacity to 4.4 litres, BMW's M-Division has treated the naturally aspirated engine to cast aluminium pistons, a stiffer crank case and a new wet sump. Though the exact figures are yet to be confirmed, this increases the V8's output to something in the region of 450bhp while retaining its high-revving character.
That extra power requires a muscled-up version of BMW's seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, which gets tougher clutch plates and more aggressive software mapping.
You'll have spotted the chunky new body kit, based on BMW's WTCC 3-Series and featuring an adjustable rear wing. Less obvious is the stiffer suspension set-up - complete with rear sub-frame - and a new set of race-spec brakes with fixed calipers front and rear.
So, £100,000 for a less comfortable, less useable, less refined M3? A bloody bargain, we'd say...
Sam Philip
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awful, ugly and overpriced...Sounds like a BMW!!
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Why o why isn't it called CSL, then we could go on and on about it's herritage.
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Lovely stuff. Now where's my cheque book...
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Capilars? haha was that a typo for calipers or you did that on purpose Mr Philip? =) on the whole.. this is like.. that Porsche GT3 RS except i think its more mad. Because 155KG is like.. a really BIG FAT MAN out of the car. hmm.. This GTS might defeat the whole purpose of BMW for being the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' as it being Fast,Brilliant Handling and also on the other hand comfortable. Ultimate in the sense that its the great all rounder? what do you reckon? whatever it is. as a car. We can expect this to be as great as an M3 can get. till the next one. =D its gonna be epic
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Remember when James drove the stripped out Aston racer whilst Jeremy & Richard drove the Lambo & Porsche ? Didn't end well for James did it ! Sound sytem I could live without, especially when you have a 4.4 Litre V8 orchestra under your right foot, but no aircon, not for me thanks. Oh and by the way when you test drive it on the show, can you please get Maddie in the driving seat and not May
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Why isn't it call CSL ? Because CSL mean Coupe Sport Leicht (Light). And 1500kg is clearly not light, especially for a CSL version. It is such a shame that today every sports car weight more than 1600kg and often near 1700. Only Paganis are really lightweight real sports car..... maybe that's why they're so expensive. Hopefully there still caterham and ariel (even a lotus is too heavy for the size of the box)..
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i can see it already on the cover of the next new racing videogame..nice colour,like crayola almost.
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dear santa, have you seen the New bmw m3 gts? well, i want one. for xmas. please. ill be really good, and do my homework & stuff...
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i really want an old one, loved it sooo much
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Very good BMW really very good but I think it'snot as good as the old CSl because the old car was less money and a change of name. The new car looks more a track day car like the big spoiler, the tyres and the bucket seats and probably less comforts than the old car. So BMW I think you can do better.
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RobertR, Dont be jealous of BMWs they are simply the best where cars matter - on the road, not on paper of forecourt. Pound-for-pound forget other mickey-mouse motors. You must own a Merc or Audi, hence the hatred for BMW. BMs put those two to shame.That M3 GTS aint ugly and aint overpriced. Ferrari, Aston Martin or Lambo of similar performance and quality all cost more than 100k. Show BMs some love that they deserve. M3 forever the crown bearer in that segment. Thats not changing any time soon, guys. My SL55 AMG is up for grabs now or part ex for M3 GTS. Cant wait.
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i was so happy to hear that bmw was gonna make this. i cannot wait for jezza to powerslide this and shout power and then yap on about how amazing the car feels?oh please let it happen please please please!
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Can't wait for the top gear test! It looks pretty good, but I think the old CSL looks better. And for gods sake paint it in a diffrent colour, would be so much nicer in silver or black. WOW at the price tag
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So someone at BMW looked at a '70s Orange Porsche 997 GT3 RS and thought "We should do that to our car". Big whoop. And that spoiler looks pathetic.
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boo...we want old ones that don't get ruined.Like the DB7 GT,for example.
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gts is not a very bmw sort of name its more for something like a merc
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half-bad, half-good
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look like a track car
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Its very....orange.
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I have a feeling the R35 still runs circles around it.
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Because i love bimmers this car is GREAT since i saw this i was like WOAAAAH and even when i look at it now it still puts a smile on my face.
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My first brand new car out of the showroom (note my first BRAND NEW) was aBMW 2002Tii in THIS colour - oh I loved it - the colour and the car. Did me proud with der maidchen in Hamburg! This one - errr the price stops me from entering anywhere near a BMW showroom
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why not csl...gts sounds rubbish
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FR offers ignificant performance shortfall versus insignificant savings. Buy the Cupra. Or better yet the Clio Cup.
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zonda-f commented on this article
05 November 2009
cool car, but £100,000 !!!
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