Bad news for South Africa’s well-heeled BMW fans. The new limited-run 3.0 CSL – which boasts the M division’s most powerful straight-6 engine yet – will not be made available locally…

BMW Group South Africa has confirmed the new 412 kW 3.0 CSL “will not be made available” locally.

Conceived to mark five decades of the M division, the retro-flavoured special model’s production run will be limited to just 50 consecutively numbered units – but not one is destined for South Africa. This stands in contrast to the M4 CSL, 15 of which will be offered in South Africa. From what we understand, the 3.0 CSL will be built in left-hand-drive form only.

So, what are we missing out on? Well, the new BMW 3.0 CSL pays homage to the original race-bred version of the same name from the 1970s, combining a front-sited inline 6-cylinder petrol engine with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. In fact, the company describes it as a “reincarnation” of the legendary sportscar you may know as the “Batmobile”.

The 3.0 CSL’s body featuresloads of CFRP

The 50-unit production run will span around three months, with the various carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) components produced by hand both in Munich and at the BMW Group component factory in Landshut. Each 3.0 CSL will pass through eight assembly cycles at just as many production stations.

The new model features CFRP components on virtually all bodywork sections. In addition to the roof, bonnet and boot lid, the front and rear aprons are fashioned entirely of carbon. The front and rear side panel attachments, the side sills, the rear diffuser, the rear wing and rear spoiler are also made of the high-tech material.

Based on the G82-generation M4, the 3.0 CSL gains a distinctive aerodynamics package, including aggressively contoured wheel arches (framing gold-coloured forged light-alloy wheels in a Y-spoke design, measuring 20 inches up front and 21 inches at the rear), a hefty rear spoiler and numerous other details based on the design of the legendary 1970s coupé. The roof spoiler, meanwhile, is made from glass-fibre reinforced plastic while the rear silencer is titanium.

The new 3.0 CSL is finished in an Alpine White hue, complemented by “an elaborately applied” stripe decor in the BMW M colours. Both the base colour and livery are applied “largely by hand”. The German firm says each component with a livery paint finish has a throughput time of six working days.

3.0 CSL scores M’s most powerful straight-6 ever

So, what’s under the bonnet? Well, the new 3.0 CSL boasts the most powerful straight-6 engine ever used in a road-legal BMW M car. Based on the 375 kW twin-turbo 3.0-litre unit employed the M4 Competition, the “further developed” version for the 3.0 CSL boasts a maximum power figure of 412 kW and revs to 7 200 rpm.

Interestingly, the peak torque output has been cut 100 units to 550 Nm, likely in order to accommodate the 6-speed manual gearbox, which does duty in place of the 8-speed torque-converter automatic transmission used by the standard M4 Competition. The manual cog-swapper features a shift assistant (yes, the driver can disengage it, if so desired), which BMW says ensures “slip-free clutch engagement after downshifting when braking for corners”.

The M carbon-ceramic brake system is standard, combining 6-piston fixed-calliper brakes and ceramic discs measuring 400×38 mm on the front axle with single-piston fixed-calliper brakes and 380×28 mm ceramic brake discs at the rear. Red brake callipers are also included.

Inside, you’ll find yet more carbon and other lightweight construction measures. The rear seats have been binned in favour of a storage system with two integrated helmet compartments. The driver and passenger sit in M Carbon full bucket seats, which offer removable headrest inserts. Materials include black Alcantara for the seat surfaces (and other areas), along with an M Alcantara steering wheel and an anthracite roof liner, plus various matte-carbon finishes.

Related content

BMW M4 CSL coming to SA in limited numbers

Powerful BMW XM Label Red set for 2023

2023 BMW M2 revealed with 338 kW