BMW confirms that GTS will be replaced by CSL

CSL is a set of letters that’s very exciting for BMW enthusiasts. BMW can thank the legendary 3.0 CSL for this reputation. This was further solidified by the iconic E46-generation BMW M3 CSL. And now, the iconic moniker is coming back. BMW M is planning to sunset the GTS naming convention used on its track-ready cars and it will be replaced by CSL – a marketing-friendly badge. This information was confirmed by a brand spokesperson in an interview with The Drive.

“CSL is still alive, and replaces GTS on further cars which are appropriate to get a CSL version—generally speaking,” stated the spokesperson, in a communique outlining a five-tier hierarchy of performance cars.

The M lineup starts now with the M Performance models, like the M240i, followed by the M cars themselves, such as the M2. Above the M2 we will have the Competition models, like the upcoming one based on the M2. Next on the M scale is the CS models, like the M3 CS and M4 CS.

The M4 GTS is now the highest point one can reach before jumping into a track-only BMW, but that model will be replaced by the CSL.

We do not know yet which BMW cars will get the CSL badge first but the next generation M3 and M4 could be a good start.