Built to celebrate the M division’s half-century, it is only one of 50 units built and a real collectible
23 November 2023 - 16:59
by Denis Droppa
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
One of only 50 built, the modern 3.0 CSL is expected to fetch up to R24.6m in this weekend’s Munich auction.
Picture: SUPPLIED
One of only 50 BMW 3.0 CSLs built to celebrate the M division’s half-century is up for grabs at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Germany this weekend.
Finished in Alpine white with BMW M stripe livery, the 2023 CSL has just 33km on the odometer.
Taking inspiration from the iconic 3.0 CSL “Batmobile” from 1973, the modern 3.0 CSL is a celebration of both the half-century of the firm’s M division in 2022, and one of the greatest cars to ever wear Munich’s famous roundel.
The new Batmobile applies racetrack technology to produce sheer driving pleasure on the road, as its ancestor did in the 1970s.
The 3.0 CSL shares most of its mechanical components, including the 3.0l turbocharged straight-six, with the production BMW M4. It is the most powerful street-legal straight-six BMW to date, with outputs of 412kW and 550Nm — a considerable jump over the original Batmobile’s 152kW.
This impressive power is fired exclusively to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission with a retro gear knob. Electronic rev matching is fitted as standard and an Active M Differential that works in conjunction with the vehicle’s stability-control system provides optimal traction on all surfaces.
An M Traction Control system features 10 stages of stepped intervention,
The body is mostly made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic and goes through a meticulous painting process. The car honours its ancestor with a muscular body kit including pumped-up wheel arches and a large fixed wing. The wing works in conjunction with the wind tunnel-tuned roof spoiler and rear air diffuser to give the 3.0 CSL extra aerodynamic downforce.
Centre-locking forged light-alloy wheels are standard and are sized 20-inch in the front and 21-inch in the rear. Specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres are embossed with the number 50 on their sidewalls.
RM Sotheby’s expects the car to fetch between €800,000-€1.2m (R16.4m-R24.6m).
An original 1973 Batmobile is also up for grabs.
Picture: SUPPLIED
If the 2023 3.0 CSL is too modern for you, an original 1973 Babmobile is up for grabs at the same auction and expected to fetch up to €470,000 (R9.6m)
The auction takes place in Munich on Saturday November 25.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
INVESTING IN CARS
Reborn BMW CSL Batmobile goes on auction
Built to celebrate the M division’s half-century, it is only one of 50 units built and a real collectible
One of only 50 BMW 3.0 CSLs built to celebrate the M division’s half-century is up for grabs at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Germany this weekend.
Finished in Alpine white with BMW M stripe livery, the 2023 CSL has just 33km on the odometer.
Taking inspiration from the iconic 3.0 CSL “Batmobile” from 1973, the modern 3.0 CSL is a celebration of both the half-century of the firm’s M division in 2022, and one of the greatest cars to ever wear Munich’s famous roundel.
The new Batmobile applies racetrack technology to produce sheer driving pleasure on the road, as its ancestor did in the 1970s.
The 3.0 CSL shares most of its mechanical components, including the 3.0l turbocharged straight-six, with the production BMW M4. It is the most powerful street-legal straight-six BMW to date, with outputs of 412kW and 550Nm — a considerable jump over the original Batmobile’s 152kW.
This impressive power is fired exclusively to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission with a retro gear knob. Electronic rev matching is fitted as standard and an Active M Differential that works in conjunction with the vehicle’s stability-control system provides optimal traction on all surfaces.
An M Traction Control system features 10 stages of stepped intervention,
The body is mostly made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic and goes through a meticulous painting process. The car honours its ancestor with a muscular body kit including pumped-up wheel arches and a large fixed wing. The wing works in conjunction with the wind tunnel-tuned roof spoiler and rear air diffuser to give the 3.0 CSL extra aerodynamic downforce.
Centre-locking forged light-alloy wheels are standard and are sized 20-inch in the front and 21-inch in the rear. Specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres are embossed with the number 50 on their sidewalls.
RM Sotheby’s expects the car to fetch between €800,000-€1.2m (R16.4m-R24.6m).
If the 2023 3.0 CSL is too modern for you, an original 1973 Babmobile is up for grabs at the same auction and expected to fetch up to €470,000 (R9.6m)
The auction takes place in Munich on Saturday November 25.
Lewis Hamilton’s 2013 Mercedes sets new R343m auction record for an F1 car
1962 Ferrari sets auction record with R1bn sale at Sotheby’s
Smashed Wolf of Wall Street Countach auctioned
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Audi unveils Black Editions exclusively for SA
VW partners with DHL Express for test of electric vans in SA
Latest Subaru Forester expected in SA in 2025
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.