“Competition, Sport, Lightweight” (abbreviated “CSL”) refers to the crucial significance that weight-minimized design plays in obtaining success in motor sport. In 1973, the BMW 3.0 CSL, which was created by BMW Motorsport GmbH using the same methodology, won the European Touring Car Championship on its debut.
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It is what?
sporty, lightweight coupe Prior to the release of the new M4 CSL, BMW has only ever used the CSL badge on two vehicles in its history: the 3.0 CSL, a homologation hero known as The Batmobile, and this exquisitely designed limited edition of the E46 BMW M3. All praise goes to M Division because it has preserved the letters as a trademark and could have put them on a lot of its latest products, but it is obvious that the company understands that the L at the end must be earned.
This M3 did, for sure. Given that there were still two seats in the back, it was 110 kg lighter than the stock M3 at the time. Its approach to dieting was far more complex and thoughtful than simply throwing unnecessary items in the trash (though BMW would let you lose the stereo and air con if you wanted to).
Its roof is made of carbon fiber. It was first used on the M3 CSL and is now a standard feature on even two-ton M8 Gran Coupes. The bonnet was constructed of aluminum, and the rear window was made of thinner glass than standard, while other parts, like the front skirt, rear diffuser, and interior panels, utilised composite materials developed for motorsport.
Consider that nerdy? Additionally, the engine is connected to a carbon airbox, which reduces weight even further and gives the 3.0-liter straight-six an even noisier intake sound. BMW also adjusted the cams and valves to release an additional 17 horsepower, giving the CSL peaks of 355 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.
When you combine that with the 1,385kg curb weight, 0-62 mph took 4.9s rather than 4.9sec. Unless you came into the showroom with a racing license, in which case they’d loosen it up to 174mph, the M3’s electronically limited 155mph peak speed remained. And to think you may obtain a comparable increase by giving VW another $2,000 when you purchase a Golf R.
However, none of the aforementioned are the CSL’s main talking points. The stubby small cylindrical lever that toggles between reverse, neutral, and first gear is located between the two front bucket seats. The M3’s factory manual gearbox was removed and swapped out for an automated single-clutch transmission that changed gear very slowly.
It took a lot of people’s focus away from all the other amazing things the CSL could accomplish, like a flaw in a supermodel’s face. Since the early 2000s, paddleshift gears have advanced quickly, which has only made their potential for jerky and reluctant shifts worse. What happens, though, when we go back and look at the M3 CSL and that transmission 20 years later?
What makes the CSL edition so unique?
The M3 CSL isn’t your “typical” M3, though! Coupe Sport Leichtbau is what “Coupe Sport Leichtbau” stands for, and the specification list shows that BMW took weight reduction VERY seriously. As a result, a carbon-fiber roof was installed in place of the original one. Additionally, the front apron, intake airbox, rear diffuser, and interior sections were all composed of unique composite material and carbon fiber. The rear windows were also made of thinner glass.
In 2004, the lightweight fiberboard boot floor cover puzzled Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, who mistook it for “cardboard.” It does, however, precisely illustrate how committed BMW was to model optimization. The CSL was also devoid of a radio, air conditioner, and navigation equipment. Instead, you received a modified version of the renowned S54B32HP in-line 6-cylinder engine with an enhanced engine and a robotized M gearbox with a shift time of under 80 milliseconds. In 2004, that was truly astounding.
BMW M3 CSL.
Three initials that make every admirer of sports cars shiver are CSL. The third M3 series’ pinnacle model, the BMW M3 CSL, is revered as an icon. Additionally, the M3 CSL continues to hold its dominant position among the many models in that series, just as it did when it was initially introduced. BMW M used it to take the best that 2003’s top levels of motorsport had to offer and once again elevate the sports vehicle to a new level.
E46 V8 BMW M3 CSL PROTOTYP.
The BMW M3 GTR should not be confused with the M3 CSL V8, which is almost completely unknown. The M3 CSL V8’s powerplant was independently created by BMW M. It is a trial carrier built on the S62 8-cylinder engine that was employed in various BMW cars. The desired engine had a 4,0 liter size and 430 horsepower. So, based on a BMW M3 CSL that the press department sent to BMW M following the model’s premiere, it was given the S65VB40 engine and given the name BMW M3 CSL V8. It continued to be unique. The knowledge acquired was applied to the M family of engines, which included the whole new S85 (V10) and S65 engines (V8). The S65B40 engine, which produces 420 horsepower at 8,300 rpm, was introduced in 2007 for the BMW M3 (E90).
Describe the BMW M3 CSL.
BMW is currently developing a new CSL-badged performance vehicle with a manual transmission and a significantly reworked 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine. The vehicle is expected to go on sale later this year. However, its conceptual forerunner, the M3 CSL from the E46 generation, was only offered with a six-speed automatic transmission that had faster gear changes than the standard M3.
In 2003, the M3 Coupe Sport Leichtbau (literally, “Coupe Sport Lightweight”) was introduced as a limited-edition M3 with increased horsepower, decreased weight, and hardware upgrades over the M3 E46. Only 1,383 vehicles total were made, and their exterior color options were either Silver Grey Metallic or Black Sapphire Metallic.
The BMW 3.0 CSL was released when?
The BMW 3.0 CSL was the series’ most potent street model starting in 1973. The third stage of development saw the engineers realize their goal of a more competitive character through increased capacity, output, incredibly light construction, and an eye-catching aero package. They also received the moniker “Batmobile” at no cost from BMW supporters.
Amount of BMW CSLs produced
A limited edition model of the M3 called the BMW M3 CSL (Coupe Sport Leichtbau, or “Coupe Sport Lightweight”) was built in 2004, with a total of 1,383 vehicles made. Silver Grey Metallic and Black Sapphire Metallic were the two colors offered.
As its name implies, weight loss was prioritized. The CSL weighs 1,385 kg (3,053 lb) at the curb, which is 110 kg (243 lb) less than the standard M3. The use of glass-reinforced plastics at various structural points throughout the vehicle, a roof made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (which lowers the center of gravity and reduces kerb weight by 7 kg/15 lb), carbon fiber body panels, and thinner glass for the rear window are all examples of structural weight reduction measures.
Lightweight fiberboard was used for the boot’s floor cover (not cardboard as infamously described on the Top Gear television show). The M3’s soundproofing, power seats, navigation system, air conditioning, and stereo were mostly removed by the CSL (the latter two were able to be re-added as no-cost options). The center console, door panels, door trim, and headlining are all made of carbon fiber. The front racing bucket seats are made of fiberglass, while the rear seats have a fiberglass backing. Instead of the cruise control, audio, and phone controls found on a standard M3, the M track mode is activated by a single button on the steering wheel. The CSL maintained the normal M3’s 50:50 weight distribution.
The wheels’ diameter was extended to 19 inches. BMW’s decision to equip the CSL with semi-slick tires is rare (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup). These tires performed poorly on wet roads and when below their operational temperature after being warmed up on a racetrack. To alert motorists about operating a vehicle in chilly or rainy weather, a warning label was added to the CSL. Larger floating rotors in the front and larger pistons at the back were added to improve the brakes.
New shock absorbers, firmer springs, and a faster steering rack ratio were added to the suspension system (14.5:1 vs 15.4:1 on the regular M3). An “M track mode” was added, allowing greater thresholds before the system intervened, and the electronic stability control was retuned.
The engine utilized in the CSL produced 13 kW (17 hp) more than the normal S54 and 5 Nm (4 lbft) more than the European M3. The adoption of camshafts with a sharper profile, a larger air intake with a carbon fiber manifold, an improved exhaust manifold, and slightly altered exhaust valves are responsible for this. Customers who currently held a motorsports license could order the CSL with the speed limitation removed even if the top speed was already electronically regulated. The 6-speed SMG II automated transmission was the only one available, and new software allowed for shift times of 80 milliseconds.
The aerodynamics were also changed, and a front splitter made of carbon fiber and a rear diffuser made of carbon fiber significantly increased downforce at high speeds. To draw cold air into the newly created air intake, the front bumper had a noticeable hole. Instead of being attached to a flat boot like the ordinary M3, the bootlid was altered to include a raised lip.
How numerous BMW E46 CSLs were produced?
You might be wondering what this is doing in this place. They made that particular E46 CSL, which is obvious. In fact, I built 1,383 of them. Along with the renowned carbon airbox, it was the first M3 to have a carbon roof. Some claim that this car is the best M ever made, that it most accurately represents the company’s core ideals. The best way to describe Coupe Sport Lightweight.
Its famed S54 3.2-liter straight six, which generates 360 horsepower, was its beating heart (the extra 17bhp thanks to its freer breathing).
not this one though. This is a true skunkworks project. M had never intended to offer it to the board.
because the engine is a V8. Lord alone knows why, but the S62 400bhp 5.0-liter engine from the E39 M5 has been squeezed in here. The package is very absurd, and the clearances are in millimeters. Maybe someone took it as a joke when they bet they couldn’t put that in there.
What distinguishes the M3 CSL from the M3?
However, the largest distinction between an ordinary E46 M3 and the CSL is completely invisible. The CSL drastically reduces the kerb weight of a standard M3 by an astounding 110kg thanks to a strict diet. The lightweight body panels must be credited in part, but the inside is considerably more extreme.
For BMW, what does M3 stand for?
The most popular definition of M3 on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok is “sporty model of BMW automobile.” M3. Definition: A sportier BMW model.