BMW has unveiled its latest creation, the 3.0 CSL, which is an extremely limited production model with only 50 units planned. If you don’t know what CSL stands for, it means “Coupé, Sport, Leichtbau” (Coupe, Sport, Lightweight), which hints at the performance potential of the 3.0 CSL. It also pays tribute to the Coupe Sport Lightweight of the 1970s.
Under the hood there’s a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six that is generates 553 horsepower and 404 pound-feet of torque, making it the BMW M’s most powerful production engine yet. You’ll notice that the torque rating is lower than the M4 Competition, but that’s because the 3.0 CSL’s engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission that can’t handle all that torque.
All that power is sent to the rear wheels where there’s an M differential. It also gets an adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers and carbon-ceramic brakes. Inside there’s CFRP trim, carbon bucket seats and a white gear shift knob.
BMW will build the select number of units over three months, since the interior carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) components are produced by hand both in Munich and there’s also a specific paint process. Each BMW 3.0 CSL goes through eight assembly cycles at just as many production stations, a procedure that takes up to 10 days to complete.
