An all-new air intake system with an extra-large air collector made of carbon-fibre -reinforced plastic ensures an ample flow of air to the 3.2-litre power unit, the intake manifolds with a much large diameter taking in fresh air through the large air scoop on the left-hand side of the front air dam enabling the engine to breathe even more freely, without the slightest throttle effect. This concept allows a particularly short transmission ratio giving the car superior power and performance throughout the entire speed range, six individual throttle butterflies ensuring that the engine responds perfectly to the gas pedal whenever required.Īlso revving up easily and smoothly all the way to 8,000 rpm, the power unit of the M3 CSL offers an even higher standard of all-round performance. The straight-six power unit already featured in the standard M3 owes its exceptional performance to BMW’s high-speed engine concept. As a result, the M3 CSL even comes with glass-fibre plastics otherwise used for aerospace applications such as endless-glass-fibre thermoplastics serving as the structural material for the through-loading system and on the rear bumper supports. This large component built by specialists at BMW’s Landshut Plant is not only some six kilos lighter than a conventional roof, but also, through its exposed position, lowers the car’ s centre of gravity.įocusing on their quest to reduce weight, the engineers at BMW M took a close look at virtually every component of the M3, in each case using the most suitable materials in order to save weight. The intelligent lightweight technology so typical of the M3 CSL is demonstrated very clearly by the roof also made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic easily Flaps also clearly visible from outside serve additionally to reduce front axle lift by a significant margin.Īt the other end of the car the newly designed rear lid made of sheet moulding compound (SMC), together with the integrated spoiler, also serves in conjunction with the CFP rear diffuser to significantly reduce lift forces. Right from the front the M3 CSL, through its newly designed, muscular front air dam made of carbon-fibre -reinforced plastic (CFP) with an additional engine air intake on the driver’s side demonstrates clearly that it is built for supreme performance of the highest calibre. Carbon-fibre -reinforced plastic, one of the most important materials in Formula 1, for example, not only reduces the overall weight of the car (weighing approximately 110 kg (243 lb) less than the standard M3, the M3 CSL has an overall weight of just 1,385 kg (3,054 lb), but also allows even higher speeds in bends particularly through the use of this lightweight material at the extreme ends of the car. The formula BMW M’s specialists have followed in creating this dynamic driving machine is intelligent lightweight technology: This means consistent reduction of weight by using the most appropriate materials at the right point.
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So the engineers at BMW M are quite sure that this sports car is able to break the 8-minute sound barrier on the legendary Northern Circuit of Nurburgring, the ultimate benchmark in driving dynamics. With its outstanding power-to-weight ratio of only 3.85 kg/bhp, this new car moves into an entirely new dimension. The BMW M3 CSL thus combines supreme agility with the ultimate driving experience. And the result, finally, is unique, absolutely unmarred driving dynamics and a purist character.
#E46 m3 specs 2003 redline full
On the contrary, the task the designers and development engineers gave themselves was to create a car full of purist driving dynamics, a car absolutely pure in every respect, down to the very last component. In developing the M3 CSL, however, BMW M did not focus on the radical reduction of weight alone. For the new BMW M3 CSL is not only more powerful than the already very dynamic M3, but is also a lot lighter and therefore even more nimble. In recognition of the fact that the weight spiral constantly going up can only be brought to a halt by radically reducing all moving masses, BMW M’s engineers, in developing this new car, have turned a thrilling lightweight concept into reality.
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Of BMW’s famous lightweight coupés which gained fame in touring car racing back in the -70s, the engineers of BMW M have once again created a purist, thoroughbred sports car consistently designed and built to the highest standard of excellence. Taking up the heritage and legendary success
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A new sports car now embodies the very core of the BMW brand in its most original style – the M3 CSL.