BMW 3.0 CSL (E9), 1971–1975
by Cavok · · artifical light · 1 views
The 3.0 CSL — "Coupé Sport Leichtbau" (Coupe Sport Lightweight) — was BMW's first-ever project developed by its newly formed Motorsport division, and remains one of the most important cars in the company's history. Introduced in 1971 and based on the 3.0 CS/CSi chassis, it was built as a homologation special to qualify BMW for FIA Group 2 touring car racing, with roughly 1,000 road cars required to be sold to meet the rules.
True to its "L" for leicht (light) badge, BMW shed weight through thinner-gauge steel body panels, aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid, Perspex side windows, and deletion of trim and sound insulation — some markets, notably the 500 UK-bound cars, kept more comfort equipment at the importer's request. Engine displacement crept upward over the production run — first to 3,003cc to qualify for the "over three litre" class, then to 3,153cc in 1973 — while road cars used the 3.0-litre inline-six making around 180 hp, later replaced by the more powerful 3.2-litre unit, and the pure racing versions eventually ran a 3.5-litre engine mated to a Getrag five-speed gearbox.
The definitive 1973 homologation also brought a dramatic aerodynamic package — a large front air dam, fender-mounted fins, a roof spoiler, and a tall rear wing (supplied loose in the boot, since it was road-illegal in Germany) — earning the racing CSL its enduring nickname, the "Batmobile." On track, the CSL delivered BMW's breakthrough motorsport success, winning the 1973 European Touring Car Championship outright over the Ford Capri, along with victories like the Nürburgring 6 Hours. Today, the 3.0 CSL stands as the true progenitor of BMW's M performance lineage.
True to its "L" for leicht (light) badge, BMW shed weight through thinner-gauge steel body panels, aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid, Perspex side windows, and deletion of trim and sound insulation — some markets, notably the 500 UK-bound cars, kept more comfort equipment at the importer's request. Engine displacement crept upward over the production run — first to 3,003cc to qualify for the "over three litre" class, then to 3,153cc in 1973 — while road cars used the 3.0-litre inline-six making around 180 hp, later replaced by the more powerful 3.2-litre unit, and the pure racing versions eventually ran a 3.5-litre engine mated to a Getrag five-speed gearbox.
The definitive 1973 homologation also brought a dramatic aerodynamic package — a large front air dam, fender-mounted fins, a roof spoiler, and a tall rear wing (supplied loose in the boot, since it was road-illegal in Germany) — earning the racing CSL its enduring nickname, the "Batmobile." On track, the CSL delivered BMW's breakthrough motorsport success, winning the 1973 European Touring Car Championship outright over the Ford Capri, along with victories like the Nürburgring 6 Hours. Today, the 3.0 CSL stands as the true progenitor of BMW's M performance lineage.
Labels on this photo
- BMW E9 Make: (e.g.: Volkswagen): BMW · Model: (e.g.: Golf): 3.0 CSL · Generation: (e.g.: Mk4): E9 · Primary color:: white · Model year:: 1972 · Body style:: saloon · Doors:: 2
- BMW 3 Series (E30) Make: (e.g.: Volkswagen): BMW · Model: (e.g.: Golf): 3 Series · Generation: (e.g.: Mk4): E30 · Primary color:: white · Model year:: 1987 · Body style:: saloon · Doors:: 4
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