Since the new E90 series BMW M3 was revealed at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year, true BMW enthusiasts have been intrigued, but waiting for the CSL to come along. Standing for Coupe, Sport, Lightweight, those three letters name the most track-focused and pure driver’s cars BMW has to offer. However, according to BMW’s new M Division boss, Ludwig Willisch, plans for a new CSL M3 have been dropped.

The car was originally meant to be launched in the middle of next year but instead the M division engineers will now focus on developing new performance variants of the X5 and X6 – both of which have been spotted testing on both sides of the Atlantic. It would have featured a power output of somewhere between 450 and 470hp, along with a 100kg lighter chassis than the standard M3, competition tires, and plenty of carbon-fiber accessories.

Speaking with CAR, Willisch said that “based on current numbers, there is most likely insufficient demand for the M3 CSL.’ As for the rest of the M range, Willisch previously revealed that there will be no M3 Touring model, no 1-series based M car and definitely no M1 supercar.


http://www.motorauthority.com/...3-csl/

 

My 2 cents;


WTF? What kind of decision is this?
"M" truly is standing for "MASS".

Instead of taking the M3 to the next level, they take pointless to a new level of pointlessness.....ridiculous...

Instead of catering to enthusiasts, they are catering to sales. Sigh...

 

Just what we enthusiasts want and were always asking for, performance versions of big heavy bloated pointless SUVs. Great decision BMW to forget a high performance version of your purest sports car/coupe the M3 and instead give it to SUVs. When is this stupid SUV craze going to end with manufactures and buyers.

One thing I notice is how SUVs generally seem to be given more attention and a higher premium among automakers. I was at the Acura dealership over the weekend and noticed how the MDX has a very premium feel to it, more so then the TL and it had adjustable rear seat heating/AC/controls with an electronic readout as well as heated seats and a headphone jack I believe and its own audio which I found odd as the RL which is more expensive and more upmarket did not have rear seat controls of any kind or other entertainment features and just has rear vents like every other sedan in its class. Today I am reading a auto magazine and I see a add for a new Chevy v6 crossover called the Traverse and notice how it too seems loaded with features not found on Chevy sedans, has a nicer interior, and has rear seat audio as well as rear fan/cooling/heating adjustments on a digital readout, you can't even find that on Cadillac sedans yet it is on a mid priced/sized Chevy SUV as well as on other GM SUVs. I remember my cousins Yukon Denali had rear heated seats yet no 50K mid lux sedans that I know of even have rear heated seats as an option. It seems manufactures feel they need to equipt SUV better then their sedans and coupes for some reason which is very disappointing and something I notice more and more.

 

^ Good post. Part of it is SUVs are just more profitable for automakers than cars. I agree that the MDX does have IMO the most substantial feel of ACuras, IMo more so than the RL as well.

 

Alright!!!
Nothing more important than getting my kids to soccer in neck-breaking speed

 

in the wake of rising gas prices and other economic issues, the fact that high performance sports sedans/cars are still coming out is a good thing.

 

With the state of the economy I wouldn't be surprised if the 'regular' M isn't selling that well and thus a CSL can't be justified right now.

Sounds like Le...

 

I actually was going to say that bit. With the IS-F here, well, the M3 would have really said "hey, try this". Instead, the IS-F is actually been said to be more hardcore than the M3.

This is also the same company that said "SMG is what you need" in the new M5 and only b/c the American market bished, did they bring a manual.

Then they make it so you cannot disable the traction control with the manual.

 

I got two words for you: Porsche Cayenne. I bet the accountants have been *****ing to no end saying that Porsche is making a killing and we need to get into that market. And since resources are limited something is getting cut.

With any luck the cheapening of the M badge will come back to haunt BMW in the form of poor sales and fewer repeat customers but, I find it highly unlikely.

 

they should have never made the X6...all that R&D resources could have gone to fund the CSL.

If you're reading this BMW, YOU SUCK!!

 

dont care, wouldve been way more expensive and still slower than a base GTR

lol @ developing performance versions of X5 and X6

 

Epic fail.
The CSL is supposed to be a limited production vehicle anyway. You don't expect to make huge profits on it.

 

Honestly, with the sales of M3 the way they are now, I can actually see why they are not making the CSL, although it is sad for people who admire true M performance, myself included, but I definelty do not see making high performance X cars, that is just plain stupid!

Have they learned nothing from GM's $15 Billion loss?

 

Bmw is a company that creates segments & is in no way shape or form conservative. They have radical motorcycles too.. M versions of the X5 & X6 & yes X3(with the M3 motor is coming) will in no way mar the image of the M divison. The M cars will still be available so no need to panic. Are you guys buying? lol... The M versions of the X vehicles I am sure will deliver the same driving dyamics that the M moniker is known for. Porshe & perhaps Audi will up the ante...












In 2025, we will see the Lexus RX-F

 

I hope we never see a RX-F or maybe the year 5025....

The old PURE guys at "M" said in the past the X5 will never be a M car b/c its just not what the division is about.

The new guys want to sell every "M" car they can.

What a reversal!