New CSL canceled

[e34john]

Hope its not a repost.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCV9lU5j02A

M3 CSL cancelled so engineers can work on X5s and X6s!

[el bob]

BMW has to pay the bills too.

[e34john]

From Car Magazine.

We’ve got some bad news for lovers of BMW performance machinery as the boss of BMW’s M division, Ludwig Willisch, has recently revealed that plans for the Über M3 CSL have been shelved. As is often the case with niche vehicles, it’s a numbers game, and with only 1400 odd E46 M3 CSL’s produced, BMW is citing insufficient demand as the reason for the decision.

Expected in 2009, the CSL (Coupe Sport Lightweight) would have shed 100kgs through the use of lightweight materials and boasted around 350kWs, thanks to revisions to the top-end of the 4.0-litre V8. Obligatory visual updates would have rounded out the package.

Rather than toiling on the M3 CSL, BMW’s M division will turn its attention to improving the performance credentials of the X5 and X6 crossovers, as more demand is expected for these models.

It’s just a shame that a spruced up SUV is more in demand than a lighter and more powerful version of one of the world’s best performance coupes.

[Source: Car Magazine]

[CorvallisBMW]

It’s just a shame that a spruced up SUV is more in demand than a lighter and more powerful version of one of the world’s best performance coupes.

[Source: Car Magazine]

QFT x billions

[brandondan1]

I'm not surprised. Looks like I was right in the first 'CSL revealed' thread.

[r3vde30]

quandt family needs to finish selling its soul and build a bmw pickup.Its actualy not a bad idea if executed ridgeline vs f150 approach.

[Eric Giles]

True that the SAV's get more attention, but it's not like the U.S. would have ever received any CSL's in the first place...although the makers of the replica CSL bumpers and trunklids would have made a killing.

[TDE30]

Supply and demand. Nice job BMW.

[DSP74]

True that the SAV's get more attention, but it's not like the U.S. would have ever received any CSL's in the first place...although the makers of the replica CSL bumpers and trunklids would have made a killing.

Not to mention even if they did most of us would never own one anyways.....

Still kinda has a stink to it though.

[e34john]

I didnt really care either cause I will never own or drive one. I am sure I would never even get the chance to see one. I keep telling my sister who is also a huge BMW fan that I am a "classic" BMW guy. Back when they looked and drove like one. Now if I want something fast I will just get a Corvette and get decent gas mileage too.

[Jon325i]

Unfortuate news? I guess it is if you live in a market where BMW offered the last generation M3 CSL for sale. We didn't get it so I don't really take this news release as a loss for us. The US is BMWs biggest market - not sure why they never brought the E46 M3-based CSL here but if/when they do the next M3 CSL based on the E92 and then announce that it won't be offered here, well.....I guess things will be par for the course.

Thanks, BMW.

[TDE30]

The US is BMWs biggest market - not sure why they never brought the E46 M3-based CSL here but if/when they do the next M3 CSL based on the E92 and then announce that it won't be offered here, well.....I guess things will be par for the course.

Sure, we are there market when it comes to run-of-the-mill 3-series and 5-series, but it's doubtful that many over here would pony up the $110k for the E46 M3 CSL. It's even more doubtful that we'd pay close to $150-160k (with dealer markup) for an E92 M3 minus a passenger or two.

[e34john]

Aren't we the biggest market for M cars?

[TDE30]

^ Yeah, but try selling a $150k 3-series to John American.

There are far better markets for the CSL models.

[e34john]

^ Yeah, but try selling a $150k 3-series to John American.

There are far better markets for the CSL models.

Guess your right, since most people will just head over to ebay and buy knockoff CLS trucks and hoods and feel like a million bucks.