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One of the three letter combinations that excite BMW enthusiasts is CSL. First was the legendary 3.0 CSL in 1975 and then the iconic E46-generation BMW M3 CSL. Now, BMW M seems to be replacing the GTS name with the iconic CSL nameplate.
In an interview with with Road & Track at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show, BMW CEO Frank van Meel said the “CSL†name will be the most hardcore and track-ready cars in the M lineup. “CSL [will be] the top-of-the-line track tool, made on the track for the track, just with a number plate,†Van Meel told R&T. So rather than cars like the M4 GTS, we’ll see upcoming cars like the M2 CSL.
It is good to hear that van Meel isn’t against making four-door CSL cars so it’s certainly possible that we could see something like a BMW M3 CSL or even an M5 CSL. Both can be pretty interesting but nothing is confirmed yet. Van Meel also spoke about the M car hierarchy, which could indicate the sort of sportier variants for four door cars.
At the bottom of the hierarchy will be the standard BMW M cars. One step ahead of them will be the Competition Package cars, like we currently see in the M3 and M4. One step ahead of Comp Pack cars will be “CS†badged cars, such as the new BMW M4 CS, which will be more hardcore variants of standard M cars but still with rear seats and everyday capability. One step further will be the CSL cars that are basically race cars for the road.
