BMW reveals limited production 3.0 CSL

BMW's M Division shocked the world overnight, with the surprise rebirth of an icon: the 2023 BMW 3.0 CSL.

Celebrating 50 years of the Bavarian carmaker’s storied motorsports division, the 3.0 CSL represents a definitive touchpoint of half a century's experience, and bears all the hallmarks of a classical driver focused M Car. It's got a straight-six up front, driven wheels at the back, with two seats and a manual H-pattern in the middle.

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As a rolling tribute to half a century of M Division, just 50 BMW 3.0 CSLs will be built, offered to "particularly loyal and enthusiastic fans of the BMW M brand".

The distinctly retro design's long wheelbase and roofline suggest the car is M4-based, built atop BMW's flexible CLAR platform and powered by a modified version of the existing M4's wonderful S58 twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline-six.

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Displacement has been increased to 3153cc, up from 2979cc, deploying a maximum output of 412kW/550Nm – marking the most powerful six-cylinder ever fitted to a roadgoing BMW. The highly-strung six-cylinder breathes out through a titanium exhaust system.

BMW's sublime six-speed manual is the only transmission available, with revised gear ratios "ideally matched to the performance characteristics" of the retro touring car tribute. Of course, modernity has its place with the presence of BMW's deft 'shift assistant' auto rev-match feature.

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An active M differential features commands power delivery to the rear wheels and is able to lock up to 100 per cent, complementing the car's ESC system. Ten-stage traction control ranges from the full safety net all the way to 'you're on your own, kid'.

The drastically redesigned surfacing is suspended by the M4's basic double-joint front axle and five-link rear suspension configuration, further boasting widened front and rear tracks and cornered by forged and staggered Y-spoke 20/21-inch centrelock wheels shod in a CSL-specific blend of Michelin performance tyre.

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Of course, you don't revive such a hallowed nameplate without your fair share of nostalgic design choices, and the Gen-Alpha 3.0 CSL is positively dripping with nods to BMW's sporting past.

Like BMW's prior collectible sporting models, such as the E92 M3 and F82 M4 GTS, M Divisions latest halo model puristically features just two M Carbon bucket seats, with the second row replaced by a slick pair of integrated helmet compartments. Lashing of carbon fibre adorn the dashboard, steering wheel and centre console, with suede seat inserts, lower dash and steering wheel.

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Embodying the 'Coupe, Sport, Lightweight' name, literally, sees the new CSL comprehensively clad in Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) on "virtually all bodywork sections". The classic Batmobile's box wing, iconic roof spoiler, bonnet aero winglets, pumped haunches and jutting front air dam are all gloriously present and accounted for.

The icing on the cake, so to speak, is a painstaking recreation of BMW's iconic tricolor livery, which sees each CSL pass through eight assembly cycles, at eight individual production stations, in which each car is assembled over three months. Cars are hand-assembled by 30 specialist technicians, at BMW's Dingolfing factory, the historic home of the flagship 7 Series – and where Rolls-Royce bodies are produced.

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BMW have not publically announced a price for its special limited production 50th birthday present. If they're not already sold out, we'd have to imagine it's a case of "if you have to ask..."