02-18-2003, 05:54 PM
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 | Supercharged Addict | | Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Australia
Rides:S/C'd RT 318ti S4
Posts: 2,482
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| E46 M3 CSL update
  Quote:
[list=a][*]265 kW, F1-inspired carbon-fibre composite body panels, 19-inch wheels [*]Australia limited to 20 examples [*]Deliveries in Q3 2003 [*]Adrenaline overload guaranteed [/list=a]
BMW Group Australia has gained access to a strictly limited production run of just 20 examples of the ultra-exclusive, hand-built lightweight M3 CSL supercars.
Right-hand drive production is due to commence mid-year with deliveries likely late in the third quarter. The indicative price of the M3 CSL will be in excess of $210,000, with final pricing to be released closer to the arrival date. The M3 CSL will be offered only with Steel Grey or Black Sapphire paint trim.
BMW's continuous pursuit of refinement and extraction of optimum performance and driving dynamism created the devastating 265 kW M3 CSL.
The pinnacle of performance perfection, the M3 CSL boasts an awesome output of 81.5 kW per litre or 109bhp per litre (up from the 79 kW per litre achieved by the E46 M3 Coupe).
Furthermore, the M3 CSL's power-to-weight ratio is 5.36kg/kW, a not insubstantial 10% improvement over the standard M3, providing even more shattering acceleration and a sub 8 minutes 10 seconds time around the feared and famous Nürburgring.
Dubbed the '110 per cent car' by its creators at BMW M GmbH, the M3 CSL is an optimised version of the incomparable M3 - currently MOTOR Magazine's Performance Car of the Year and Australia's Best Cars' award winner for Best Sports Car over $57,000 for two years running.
BMW M pursued a philosophy of intelligent lightweight technology to create the purists' thoroughbred sports car.
The weight-saving operations were not the sole objective of the program that created the M3 CSL, but refining the dynamic driving experience to its purest form yet.
Shedding a meaningful 100kg has required the deletion of leather seats in favour of high-tech sport seats, removal of the sunroof, on-board monitor and Hi-Fi system in line with the serious sporting intent of the vehicle.
In their place come high-technology systems borrowed from aerospace and Formula 1, applications to endow the M3 CSL with its shattering performance.
The already exhilarating 3.2 litre straight six Double VANOS controlled engine has been developed a stage further to access more power and more torque.
Peak power is now 265 kW thanks to the completed cylinder charge cycle being modified to further reduce frictional forces.
But the M3 CSL loses none of the everyday drivability that sets it apart from the supercar crowd.
The Formula 1-inspired paddle-shift controlled SMGII gearbox effects super fast and super slick gear changes.
The centre of gravity has been lowered for even more leech-like grip and controllability, and the boot lid contains an integrated spoiler, still subtle by contemporary standards.
Unlike some would-be rivals who appear to believe that carbon-fibre is a garnish, BMW M engineers have taken the space-age Formula 1 composite and introduced it as substantial, load-bearing and weight-saving panels on the CSL bodywork.
The M3's aluminium bonnet already saved substantial weight over a conventional steel item, without compromising crash performance, but the CSL takes weight saving and body stiffness to a new level for a road car.
The M3 CSL's front air dam and rear diffuser is painted carbon fibre with some areas left unpainted to reveal the presence of the composite, while the doors and side sills and centre dash console are also carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. The cylinder head covers are also crafted form carbon-fibre.
The load-bearing structure supporting the symmetrically split though-loading system behind the rear seats is made of endless glassfibre thermoplastics, an innovative material borrowed from the aerospace industry.
The front sports bucket seats are made from glass-fibre reinforced plastics for increased lightness and strength and even more secure occupant support at high speed, while thinner rear glass saves vital grams as does a honeycomb sandwich plate used for the rear floor area in the luggage bay.
Riding on specially developed 19-inch light alloy wheels with a new design of sports tyres, the CSL employs 18-inch brakes for supreme stopping power.
BMW's lightweight sporting coupe heritage dates back to the 1938 328 Mille Miglia Coupe, equipped with an aluminium body and of course the much-loved race-winning 1970s 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' Coupe.
With the advent of the M3 CSL, BMW opens a new chapter in its delivery of Sheer Driving Pleasure in its most highly refined form.
"Succeeding in reducing the power-to-weight ratio by another 10 per cent on the M3 CSL, we have created the 110 per cent car and have moved up to a new league of dynamic performance," BMW M Division Manager Gerhard Richter, said.
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i think ive fallen in love all over again.......
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