Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 3.0 CSL E9 - Best BMW M cars

Known as 'The Batmobile' the BMW 3.0 CSL was a proper homologation special for the road

OK, so the 3.0 CSL was never formally known as an M Car, but it was the Motorsport division that campaigned and developed the legendary ‘Batmobile’ version of the regular 3.0 CS coupe. The ‘L’ in CSL stands for ‘leicht’, and the CSL road-car went on a strict racing diet with a thin steel body, aluminium doors, boot and bonnet, a distinct lack of interior trim and Perspex windows.

The result was a car you could drive on the road, but in race trim won the European Touring Car Championship four years on the trot. The final version in 1973 had huge wings and an airdam, and the car has been known as the ‘Batmobile’ ever since.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Production: 1,265 (1971-1975)
Engine: 3.0/3.2-litre, six-cylinder
BHP: 197-203bhp
0-60: 7.4 seconds
Max speed: 138mph

Skip advert
Advertisement
Continue Reading
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept revealed to preview all-new electric SUV
BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept - front
News

BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept revealed to preview all-new electric SUV

This Neue Klasse X concept showcases the design inspiration for next year’s Neue Klasse SUV
21 Mar 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
12 Mar 2024
BMW and MG electric car adverts banned over ‘zero emissions’ claims
BMW i4 - front tracking
News

BMW and MG electric car adverts banned over ‘zero emissions’ claims

Advertising Standards Authority follows up its ban on misleading WLTP range figures with a new consumer-focused ruling on EVs.
7 Feb 2024
New BMW Neue Klasse SUV to open a “new era” for the brand in 2025
BMW Neue Klasse SUV spyshots - front
News

New BMW Neue Klasse SUV to open a “new era” for the brand in 2025

The all-electric SUV will mark a change in technology and design language for BMW
1 Feb 2024

Most Popular

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars can expect to be paying roughly £10 more per year, a although the biggest gas guzzlers will fare the worst
26 Mar 2024