Return of the Batmobile

BMW’s new 3.0 CSL has been developed with the intention of combining the best of five decades of racing expertise from the BMW M division in a car with a highly emotional aura. All facets of its character, dynamic exterior styling, a classic sportscar cockpit, lightweight construction, a straight six-cylinder engine, a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive, are based on traditional principles of a BMW M car.

The racing version of the historic BMW 3.0 CSL won the European Touring Car Championship during its inaugural season in 1973, and repeated this title win five more times in succession from 1975 to 1979. Drivers such as Toine Hezemans, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Chris Amon and Niki Lauda left the competition behind at the Nürburgring and numerous other circuits, followed by BMW’s first victories on US circuits as early as 1975. All these successes helped the works racing cars to gain international popularity.

The road version of the racing car, which was developed for homologation purposes, became a widely known symbol for focusing on the essentials, especially in its final stage of development. CSL – this combination of letters in the model designation stood for “Coupé, Sport, Leichtbau” (Coupe, Sport, Lightweight), a concise summary of the two-door car’s recipe for success.

In addition to wide wheel arches, its coupe-shaped body also received an eye-catching aerodynamics package, which included a front spoiler, air bars on the front side panels and a roof spoiler. Completing the design modifications vs. the other coupes in BMW large series was a rear wing that optimised the grip of the rear wheels. It was not approved for road use and therefore lay in the boot when the vehicle was delivered, but nevertheless received much public attention so that the Coupe was given the nickname “Batmobile”.

With its classic coupe proportions and a traditional vehicle concept that combines a front engine and manual gearbox with rear-wheel drive, the new CSL follows in the footsteps of its historic ancestor. Distinctive air deflection elements, powerfully shaped wheel arches, a striking rear spoiler and numerous other details are unmistakably based on the design of the legendary coupe from the 1970s.

Photos © BMW