BMW CSL Models That Never Made into Production
Image Above By cosmic_spanner - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, Source
Most car enthusiasts would know all of the BMW CSL models ever made. But, around June 2022, the BMW M team revealed their secret BMW CSL cars that were never sold to the public on their YouTube channel. You will surely be amazed at what those guys in Munich were making with those secret CSLs. In this article, we will take a look at all the secret BMW CSL models based on their 2 videos.
1. BMW M3 CSL PROTOTYPE E46 V8
A well-aged design and stripped-out interior 2-door BMW sports car from the early 2000s. The wonderful sound from an upgraded 3.2-litre inline-six (S54) engine with its steel exhaust (Source: Supercar Nostalgia). That's unmistakably the M3 CSL that provides a more raw driving experience than its regular M3. However, BMW M went a step further with this car.
By Jake Thomas - https://www.rushmagazine.co.uk/post/critical-mass-bmw-m3-csl-review, CC BY-SA 4.0, Source
They used a 4.9-litre V8 (S62) engine from the BMW M5 (E39) and put it into the M3 CSL's engine bay that can fit barely. However, the video showed that the engine in this car has a different code name, S65VB40. Plus, that engine produces 30 hp more than 394 hp in M5's S62 engine (Source: Wikipedia, BMW M5 / E39 M5 (1998–2003) / Engine), 424 hp to be exact.
Even so, Hans Rahn, Head of Vehicle Prototyping, Manufacturing Concept, and Integration didn't explain in the video any engine modification made to this car. That brings us to the gearbox fitted in this prototype car. As we know, the E39 M5 only came with a manual gearbox. On the other hand, we can see in an interior shot of the video that it still has the same gear lever shape as its regular CSL.
Most probably they not only swap the engine and gearbox, but they may reengineer both mechanicals to create a more unique combination. Apart from that, the combination of that engine and the unknown gearbox seems like an indicator of its successor that made it into production, the BMW M3 (E90/92/93).
It has a 4-litre V8 (S65B40) engine that had almost the same code name with a faster-shifting dual-clutch transmission (DCT) (Source: Wikipedia, BMW M3 / E90/E92/E93 generation (2007–2013) and BMW S65 / Versions). The M3 CSL V8 also features a symmetrical front air intake on the front bumper as opposed to the asymmetrical air intake in M3 CSL for better engine cooling.
It's really a crazy experiment considering a 3 series in the E46 generation is not a big car like today's 3 series.
2. BMW M5 CSL PROTOTYPE E60 V10
It's probably the craziest BMW M5 sedan ever built if it was made into production. The already epic 5.0-litre V10 (S85) engine from a standard M5 that produced 500 hp (Source: Wikipedia, BMW M5 / E60/E61 M5 (2004–2010) / Engine) was upgraded to a 5.7-litre, producing a whopping 621 hp. The engine also has a higher redline at 9000 rpm.
On top of that, the engine has a carbon intake that produces a distinctive sound from the standard M5. Therefore, to increase the engine cooling, you can see there is a grille where the front number plate should be. For transmission, M5 CSL uses a dual-clutch transmission as opposed to an SMG gearbox (single-clutch transmission), although the gear lever has the same shape as the one that uses the SMG.
Inside, BMW M deleted the rear seats (Source: YouTube, Top Gear, BMW M’s Secret CSLs You’ve Never Seen Before – Part 2: V10 E60 M5 CSL + V10 E63 M6 CSL | Top Gear) and it features a set of Recaro seats at the front.
On the outside, BMW M used a carbon fibre roof for weight reduction. This car is definitely an insane product.
3. BMW M6 CSL PROTOTYPE E63 V10
The highlight of the M6 CSL is its active aerodynamic features. BMW M created a retractable spoiler and front splitter that can be controlled using a pair of switches on the centre console (Source: YouTube, Top Gear, BMW M’s Secret CSLs You’ve Never Seen Before – Part 2: V10 E60 M5 CSL + V10 E63 M6 CSL | Top Gear). Hans said that both features make the car more stable at high speed.
Besides, they used 'Doppelsteg' side mirrors and a carbon roof on this car. Apart from that, the Alcantara door card is very minimalist with just a door opener and door pull mounted on it. The rear seats may be removed since Hans mentioned the weight is reduced at the back as well.
M6 CSL's engine and gearbox received a 5.0-litre V10 (S85) with a carbon intake and a dual-clutch transmission that produced around 500 hp. The regular M6 in this generation is already an epic car, let alone this CSL that sadly didn't make it to the public.
4. BMW M2 CSL PROTOTYPE F87
Most of you would know the M2 CS in this generation. Actually, before the launch of the CS, BMW has given a choice to launch a car between M2 CS or M2 CSL since both models were built together. But, they decided to not go with the CSL. The CS is already a great small sports car. Maybe that's the reason M2 CSL didn't go into production. This CSL received an M4 GTS (F82) treatment where it has more aggressive inside and out compared to the CS.
It features a carbon front splitter and a spoiler with an interesting bionic design, both with some red accents. Plus, a carbon fibre roof. Inside, BMW M put a roll cage and bucket seats with racing harnesses. Finally, a nice Alcantara around the middle air-cond vents extends to the passenger side to place a lasered CSL lettering. M2 CSL produced the same output of 444 hp from maybe the same 3.0-litre inline-six turbocharged (S55) engine from M2 CS.
Amazing machines are those, aren't they? Before this, we may think that the CSL models we knew were the very best they can make. Now, we know the BMW M division is an expert in creating more insane than the already insane cars.
