[Karmic Man]

CSL is a good initiative and I hope it will be much more affordable than the GTS series.

[gobuffs]

http://jalopnik.com/bmw-painted-the-...-tu-1785484793

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by gobuffs

http://jalopnik.com/bmw-painted-the-...-tu-1785484793

Hmmmmm. Well it looks even better than the first version.

[gobuffs]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Hmmmmm. Well it looks even better than the first version.

Your brother from another mother with the same last initial has a selfie on Favebook with it...oh yeah, you don't do Facebook...you and double O double L.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by gobuffs

Your brother from another mother with the same last name has a selfie on Favebook with it...oh yeah, you don't do Facebook...you and double O double L.

I've still got zero "face space " friends , and keeping it that way !

[TomAce]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Find out about intentions in just over two weeks.

So what we are seeing here is the new wheels of the M2 GTS, carbon-ceramic brakes and the rollbar. No carbon fiber roof, but engine cover and trunk made of carbon fiber, plus a new front bumper with carbonfiber splitter.

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by TomAce

So what we are seeing here is the new wheels of the M2 GTS, carbon-ceramic brakes and the rollbar. No carbon fiber roof, but engine cover and trunk made of carbon fiber, plus a new front bumper with carbonfiber splitter.

And no round fuel door like on the M2

Cheers
Robin

[Karmic Man]

Finally, M mirrors on the 2

[bradleyland]

BMW should homologate this thing and race it in VLN single-make (like they do with the M235i Racing), IMSA CTSC ST class, and PWC TC class.

[stren]

Originally Posted by TomAce

So what we are seeing here is the new wheels of the M2 GTS, carbon-ceramic brakes and the rollbar. No carbon fiber roof, but engine cover and trunk made of carbon fiber, plus a new front bumper with carbonfiber splitter.

Wasn't all of this on the previous baby blue hommage - except the roll cage which was hidden by the tint anyway? Scott made it sound like we would see something new here, but all I'm seeing is different paint? Maybe he's just saying that yes the GTS/CSL will actually look more like the hommage and it's not just a design exercise.

I wouldn't count on all of those parts being carbon either I think Scott had previously talked about stick on plastic parts, so who knows. The problem is if they are plastic I'd feel like I had just bought an expensive body kit, and if it's carbon then I wouldn't be able to afford the final thing anyway

[gobuffs]

BMW wouldn't make a car wholly similar to another concept for no reason. IMO the front end needs a bit of toning down- have to to get over a speed bump.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by gobuffs

BMW wouldn't make a car wholly similar to another concept for no reason. IMO the front end needs a bit of toning down- have to to get over a speed bump.

The 3.0 CSL hommage car came out in the original old school yellow and then was redone with M colors. ..

[bogeyman]

The body is pure carbon-fibre on the 2002. Takes 6 months to build apparently. BMW are considering making a small batch and are aware that the price will be outrageous but they think there's a market for it.

The 2 series is a nice design. When it was given the Vision GT6 treatment it was just simply stunning, beautiful even. BMW have a design in the Vision GT6 that most other manufacturers would die for and I would be stunned if the CSL looked like the 2002 Hommage and not the VGT6. But nothing surprises me with BMW. It would be a failed opportunity.

[medphysdave]

I love the vision gt6 concept, but it looks like a body kit. The homage 2002 (from just behind the nose and back). Looks ready for production. I think the m2 CSL/gts will have a toned down front end and keep the rest of what we are seeing. It just won't be full carbon fiber.

[stren]

Originally Posted by bogeyman

The body is pure carbon-fibre on the 2002. Takes 6 months to build apparently. BMW are considering making a small batch and are aware that the price will be outrageous but they think there's a market for it.

Interesting - got a source? I'd love to read more. In some ways, if it's going going to be a lot more than the M2 anyway then I'd prefer them to go all out and ignore the price. Make it a real halo car, then even if only a few cars are made then it still shows BMW mean business. Full carbon fiber body and an S55 would be awesome. Pull the rear seats and lower the weight. It could actually challenge the GT4 if done right, and if it does then people would pay a high price. It would also be a good research project for the next gen M2.

[Karmic Man]

Originally Posted by stren

Interesting - got a source? I'd love to read more. In some ways, if it's going going to be a lot more than the M2 anyway then I'd prefer them to go all out and ignore the price. Make it a real halo car, then even if only a few cars are made then it still shows BMW mean business. Full carbon fiber body and an S55 would be awesome. Pull the rear seats and lower the weight. It could actually challenge the GT4 if done right, and if it does then people would pay a high price. It would also be a good research project for the next gen M2.

They already did that exercise with the M4 GTS and I was not too excited by that car because for the same price the 911 GT3 excites me more.

At the end, price does matter unless it is positioned as a supercar, aka M1 successor.

I rather see them release a CSL variant with the intention of supplying to a larger M enthusiast group than the GTS had been.

[bogeyman]

Sure, here you go:

http://www.topgear.com/car-news/conc...d-2002-hommage

(Sorry I got the bit about the body taking 6 months to build wrong. It seems that was for the initial build).

Originally Posted by stren

Interesting - got a source? I'd love to read more. In some ways, if it's going going to be a lot more than the M2 anyway then I'd prefer them to go all out and ignore the price. Make it a real halo car, then even if only a few cars are made then it still shows BMW mean business. Full carbon fiber body and an S55 would be awesome. Pull the rear seats and lower the weight. It could actually challenge the GT4 if done right, and if it does then people would pay a high price. It would also be a good research project for the next gen M2.

[Franzino]

Originally Posted by Karmic Man

They already did that exercise with the M4 GTS and I was not too excited by that car because for the same price the 911 GT3 excites me more.

At the end, price does matter unless it is positioned as a supercar, aka M1 successor.

I rather see them release a CSL variant with the intention of supplying to a larger M enthusiast group than the GTS had been.

+1

[BimmerMat135]

I guess we will end up with a 6 figures M2 GTS after all.

[SCOTT26]

An M2 is testing a new aerodynamic aid similar to this.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

An M2 is testing a new aerodynamic aid similar to this.

Interesting: circular opening in the front airdam à la E46 M3 CSL and integrated front splitter à la GT6 Vision Concept.















For the record (source: here):

What is the E46 M3 CSL?

The E46 M3 CSL is a special variation of the standard E46 M3 coupe that features numerous lightweight components, as well as a myriad of drivetrain, chassis and cosmetic enhancements. The "CSL" moniker denotes "Coupe Sport Lightweight" and was first used on the 3.0 CSL homologation special in 1971. A total of 1,383 E46 M3 CSLs were produced to European specification between June and December of 2003 in both left-hand drive (841 built) and right-hand drive (542 built) configuration. (This figure excludes an additional series of at least a dozen pre-production M3 CSL prototypes built between September of 2002 and February of 2003.)

The E46 M3 CSL is most notably distinguished from the standard E46 M3 by its various lightweight components. The largest of these is the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (GFP) roof panel, which weighs over 13 pounds less than its conventional steel counterpart. The front bumper support is also constructed of GFP, as is the uniquely-shaped front airdam with its single intake on the left-hand side. At the rear, the lower rear valance panel is made of GFP, while the reshaped trunk lid is made of SMC (sheet molding compound). Fiberglass-reinforced plastic is used for the rear bumper supports and this material is also "sandwiched" with thermoplastics and foam to create the trunk floor and rear bulkhead. As a final weight-saving measure, the rear window glass is extra thin. BMW claimed that the M3 CSL weighed 3,054 pounds, or roughly 10 percent less than the normal model.

The E46 M3 CSL is powered by a modified version of the usual 3,246-cc S54 inline-six that lacks a conventional mass airflow meter. Instead, the air draw is determined directly by the DME for quicker calculations. There is also a more efficient air intake system made largely of GFP and routed through larger manifolds to the circular opening in the front airdam. Further changes include modified camshafts and exhaust valves, plus a lightweight exhaust system constructed of thinner steel. The CSL-spec engine is rated at 360 hp (DIN) at 7,900 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm.

The M3 CSL is equipped exclusively with the SMG II transmission featuring a special launch control mode that automatically shifts at the optimum point for maximum acceleration. This is mated to the standard E46 M3 final drive and M Differential Lock. Finally, the DSC system of the M3 CSL can be switched to M Track Mode via the steering wheel-mounted button. This raises the threshold at which the system intervenes to allow for some degree of wheelspin.

The suspension of the M3 CSL is based closely upon that of the standard E46 M3. However, it does incorporate a number of changes, including front coil springs that are shorter by one winding, different spring and shock rates (for both rebound and compression), plus larger anti-roll bars in the front (30.8 mm) and rear (22.5 mm). In addition, the normal aluminum front control arms (shared with the standard E46 M3) are joined by aluminum rear suspension links with stiffer ball bushings. Rounding out the chassis upgrades are a quicker steering rack (overall ratio: 14.5:1) and larger 13.7-inch cross-drilled front brake rotors. Finally, the M3 CSL rides on lightweight cross-spoke alloy wheels measuring 8.5x19-inches in front (0.5 inches wider than the normal M3) and 9.5x19-inches in the rear. These are shod with special Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires sized 235/35ZR19 (front) and 265/30ZR19 (rear). (Conventional tires mounted to the 19-inch forged M Double Spoke II wheels from the standard E46 M3 were also offered as a no-cost alternative.)

In addition to the aforementioned lightweight body components and unique wheels, the exterior of the E46 M3 CSL is further distinguished by a special "CSL" insert in place of the usual "M3" model designation within the decorative intake grilles on either fender. In addition, there is an "M3 CSL" badge on the trunk lid. Exterior colors were limited to Silver Grey metallic (A08) and Black Sapphire metallic (475).

Though the interior of the M3 CSL retains the standard E46 M3 dashboard (with Titan Shadow trim), instruments and general controls, it differs significantly in most other areas. The minimal door panels are constructed of lightweight GFP and lack the usual side airbags. Likewise, the center console surrounding the parking brake is also made of GFP and contains the power mirror switch that normally resides on the driver-side door. The deeply-bolstered front seats (similar to those found in the M3 GTR) have GFP backings and are upholstered in a combination of Anthracite "Reflex" cloth and Amaretta (synthetic suede). The two special individually-shaped rear seats are also covered in the same materials. The Alcantara-wrapped M three-spoke steering wheel contains only the M Track Mode switch in place of the usual audio and cruise control buttons. The parking brake handle is similarly fashioned from Alcantara and both door sills contain unique trim plates.

In keeping with the lightweight, driver-focused manner of the M3 CSL, standard comforts were limited to just power windows, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, central locking and the on-board computer. The short list of extra-cost options included only an anti-theft alarm, green-tinted windshield stripe or climate comfort windshield, velour floor mats, bi-Xenon headlights with headlight washers (washers excluded on UK-spec examples), Park Distance Control, rain sensor with automatic headlight control, automatic climate control and various cassette/CD/mini-disc radios. There were also three no-cost options available: deletion of the rear "M3 CSL" badge, a "smokers package" that included an ashtray and cigarette lighter, plus the fitment of the forged M Double Spoke II alloy wheels with conventional tires from the standard M3 in place of the CSL's cross-spoke alloy wheels with Cup tires. One final factory option was the removal of the standard 155-mph top speed limiter.

[allthatisntnow]

I thought it was just a bigger chin spoiler and a missing tow hook cover.