BMW 3.0 CSL debuts with manual gearbox, custom body and 560 PS

BMW has unveiled the 3.0 CSL, a coupe it packed with references to its ancestor from the 1970s. Only 50 units will be made, each taking 10 days to produce (as opposed to the 5-10 minutes it takes to put together a regular mass-market car).

At the core of the new 3.0 CSL is the highest-rated six-cylinder engine so far. Its output amounts to 560 PS (553 hp / 412 kW) and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque, and the transmission is exclusively manual. The car is 2WD only, but it has an active differential on its rear axle. The sprint times remains to be measured.

Elsewhere, the newcomer boasts pronounced wheel arches, a new hood, a spoiler, a rear wing and Michelin tires developed specifically for this model alone. A vintage-themed livery is also worth a mention.

To keep the weight down, the track-focused 3.0 CSL makes use of a titanium exhaust system and carbon-fiber seats. The rear bench is missing, and the noise proofing is minimal all around.