There’s “more to come” with the much-rumoured BMW M2 CSL, according to BMW Australia chief Marc Werner.
Speaking at the launch of the BMW M3 and M4 Competition models – each with a 14kW power boost to 331kW – the local managing director gave the strongest hint yet that the M2 CSL is coming soon.
The CSL – or “coupe sport lightweight” – version is expected to mimic the limited edition BMW M3 CSL released in 2004 in having motorsport-inspired lightweight panels and materials as well as engine modifications to up performance.
“As far the M2 CSL is concerned, which you might have seen, there are some rumours out in the media at the moment,” said Werner. “I cannot comment on it at all, but it looks fantastic, so there is more to come.”
The M2 CSL appears to be a key part of a broader plan to expand the BMW M family, and take advantage of strong demand for low volume, highly modified machines.
Prior to the M2 CSL, BMW Australia will unleash the BMW M4 GTS that will be the fastest road car ever to wear the Bavarian badge.
Based on the M4 Coupe, the two-seater GTS has heavy aerodynamic modifications as part of major body and structural changes that also realise a 30kg weight saving.
Its engine is based on the 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder twin turbo in the regular M3 and M4, but it has been modified to produce 368kW and 600Nm.
The claimed 0-100km/h time is 3.8 seconds – just 0.2 seconds quicker than the M4 Competition – but the Nurburgring lap time is a more convincing 7 minutes, 28 seconds.
Of the 700 GTS M4s being produced globally, just 25 are earmarked for Australia – and all have already been snapped up. Each has gone to a “loyal” BMW customer, with Werner claiming the company could have sold twice as many as are available in Australia.
“It’s a full blooded race track car,” said BMW Australia product and pricing manager for the M3 and M4, Howard Lam. “It’s a track car been made road legal, not the other way around.”
By Toby Hagon – Wheels