M3/M4 CAR Magazine: BMW CANCELING E92 M3 CSL

[Deutsch]

BMW ‘cancels E92 M3 CSL’

By Tim Pollard

26 August 2008 12:00

BMW has shelved plans to produce a lighter and sharper CSL version of the E92 M3. CAR’s artist’s impression reveals how the rawest M3 of all was scheduled to look – with an arrival date of summer 2009.

The M3 CSL was supposed to have power uprated to between 450bhp and 470bhp with a corresponding drop in weight, down by 100kg thanks to wider use of flyweight materials. Cup tyres, new engine breathing and a carbonfibre airbox were due to complete the makeover.

But the bean counters at Munich have now canned the project, so they can concentrate on the faster versions of the company’s X-badged crossovers.
The M boss speaks

Ludwig Willisch, the new M Division boss, said: ‘Based on current numbers, there is most likely insufficient demand for the M3 CSL.’

For the full story on the death of the M3 CSL – and its nemesis from Audi, the planned RS5 – buy the new October 2008 issue of CAR Magazine, on sale on Wednesday 27 August 2008.

BMW ?cancels E92 M3 CSL? | Secret New Cars | Car Magazine Online

 

[Deleted member 25]

If the CSL badge is dead then make the m cars more much more radical.

 

[mc_blue]

I must admit I'm rather surprised, I was under the impression cars like this would sit as 'halo' models for the brand. In marketing terms it must surely pay for itself?

 

[Mr Robert]

I must admit I'm rather surprised, I was under the impression cars like this would sit as 'halo' models for the brand. In marketing terms it must surely pay for itself?

Nope, the new kid in town, the X6 CSL, will take the struggle with the RS5... because the X6 CSL (now only 2,300 kgs ) is what people want. At least people who never did like the E46 CSL but loved the Cadillac Escalade.

 

[SKY]

Bullshit if this is true.

 

[asturias]

I really hope this isn´t true. Mercedes has it´s Black Series cars now, which seem to be very good and BMW decides not to build their most driver´s oriented car...

 

[Deutsch]

I swear the p-shop of the CSL in the op is one of the ugliest p-shops I've ever seen.

I also don't get how there's suppose to be a real market for the CSL, it's not a mass production car. It's the equivalent of a tuner car.

 

[tatoun]

The answer could be there ???

 

[tatoun]

FT.com / Companies / Autos - BMW leads industry in emissions cuts

 

[LaArtist]

Well i have to do this.. sorry guys..
BMW IS GAY....
aahh that feels good it was long since last i said it..
but if its true they deserve it..

 

[PanterroR]

Gay is your comment Artist, 100% gay, and in fact i'm not even sure if you know what that word means 'cause you're constantly using it in completely wrong context, but i agree in some other way, that this is really pathetic of them and they're idiots... Complete idiots!

Now i wonder what our insiders have to say about this one... Oh wait, don't even bother, 'cause i might spit on those comments/arguments just like i've been spitting on almost every recent action of BMW... Hence why i don't post that much (like any of you cares... )

Highly disappointed? Yes! Loosed my faith? Certainly not! But it doesn't look good at all... Ultimate Driving Machine might soon become Ultimate Green Machine and i say: F you and your green, efficient future!

 

[speed_kills]

Nope, the new kid in town, the X6 CSL, will take the struggle with the RS5... because the X6 CSL (now only 2,300 kgs ) is what people want. At least people who never did like the E46 CSL but loved the Cadillac Escalade.

You are being sarcastic but you're right. BMW only cares about money, X5 and X6 M is just the confirmation. X6 CSL would be the nail in the casket.

 

[jack]

this is what scott posted after someone said that the M3 CSL is cancelled

There will be a M3 CSL.

What you have seem to forgotten is that the E92 M3 only arrived in September 2007. We are not even a Year past. Even less so for North America and other markets.
Sure in the space of the year we have had the launch of the E92,E90 and E93 M3 models.
But these are are only variants suited to each segment respectively.

The M3 CSL will be a continuation of the M3 series but not whilst the car is over a year old on the market which is why you must have patience.
Each M3 series is a high level than what had gone before and that progression features heavily in every new generation also this has to established in the market.

The M3 CSL will not appear over night as will the performance variations of the BMW 1er Coupe (again not even a year old).
But with each generation the M3 progresses several layers above each model. As previously The way to go is Lightweight whilst the focus remains on lightweight construction , BMW want to make these performance cars bearers for "Efficient Dynamics".
"Efficient Dynamics" will feature heavily in future BMW performance cars,
PS output and driving feel is one step , But normally unheard of "efficiency"will be a key word also.

What BMW wanted to do originally has now changed direction in terms of how much lightweight technology will be used and you can expect more than what had been seen before. recent closed door tests included a M3 and a 1er Coupe using different construction techniques and materials and more PS output to their respective production engines to their road car brothers. Whilst original models were thought of along with the M6 . BMW eventually realised there was more to offer with these cars and scrapped the original ideas. Hence why the concept of the CSL series is very much work -in-progress.

It is very much probable that the production car will be considerably more expensive than it's road car brother but what you will get is a highly individual M3 model in every respect from it's road car brother .

Miracles do not happen overnight that is why you have about two years to go.

how come you all forgot this ?
this is not too long ago ... do you really want to start the truck discussion all over again ... sorry but this is all BS

 

[EnI]

Who said the CSL project is dead?

 

[PanterroR]

I do hope that's true, but recently, i've heard more cancellations than confirmations, so excuse me, but i reserve the right to be skeptic at this point so i have to vent my disappointment.

 

[PanterroR]

Who said the CSL project is dead?

That's unfortunately the impression that i and apparently many other have.

 

[Tarek]

^ Well Tyc i care

But seriously that is utter ridiculous crap!! The ultimate driving machine giving away that CSL pride? heck MB now pushing the AMG line to outer space with the BS cars,BMW must've had a castration lately

 

[LaArtist]

Gay is your comment Artist, 100% gay, and in fact i'm not even sure if you know what that word means 'cause you're constantly using it in completely wrong context, but i agree in some other way, that this is really pathetic of them and they're idiots... Complete idiots!

Now i wonder what our insiders have to say about this one... Oh wait, don't even bother, 'cause i might spit on those comments/arguments just like i've been spitting on almost every recent action of BMW... Hence why i don't post that much (like any of you cares... )

Highly disappointed? Yes! Loosed my faith? Certainly not! But it doesn't look good at all... Ultimate Driving Machine might soon become Ultimate Green Machine and i say: F you and your green, efficient future!

Nice that ppl still get angry by that BMW gay comment..

 

[Beemer B773ER]

There will be a M3 CSL.

I guess that settles it.

M3 CSL and most likely a 1 series CSL on their way, but of course they will be introduced towards the end of overall models life-cycle.

 

[Giannis]

By 2009 BMW will have more vans than Renault have ever dreamt of...