BMW 3.0 CSL | Sports Cars

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Year (of specifications)	1971 - 1975
Engine	2985 / 3003 / 3153 cc inline 6 cyl
Transmission	4 and 5 speed manual RWD
Max speed	133 - 140 mph
0-60 mph	-
Horsepower	180 - 206 hp
weight	1219 kgs / 2689 lbs

The BMW 3.0 CSL was a lightweight version of BMW's luxurious 6 cylinder coupe. The 3.0 CSL was built for homologation purposes to allow the car to run in the European Touring Car Group 2 racing.

The first BMW 3.0 CSL's rolled off the production line in 1971 and featured thinner alloy body panels, no front bumper, racing latches on the hood, and Plexiglas manual side windows in order to keep the weight as low as possible. The interior was also stripped of some of its luxuries and trim to help cut the flab. In total BMW managed to take 181 kgs (400 lbs) off the weight off the standard car.

The suspension of the BMW 3.0 CSL benefited from Bilstein shock absorbers and a stiffer progressive springs.

Initially the BMW 3.0 CSL was fitted with a 2958 cc inline 6 cylinder engine which produced 180 horsepower. In the summer of 1972 the displacement was increased to 3003 cc and an electronic fuel injection replaced the twin carburetors. Due to these upgrades the engine now developed 200 hp.

In 1972 BMW introduced the 3.2 litre, 206 horsepower CSL which was nicknamed the 'Batmobile'. The Batmobile version came to be because of a hasty, but successful, change to the racing version of the 3.0 CSL. In order to keep the race car legal the changes also had to be offered on the road car. The enhancements included a massive rear spoiler, deep front valance, roof mounted rear spoiler, and rubber fins on the top of the front wheel arches.

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