2005 BMW M3 Competition Package Preview

In 2003, BMW released the 'ultimate' M3. It carried the famous three-lettered moniker 'CSL', a title that many

Like the original 3.0 CSL, the M3 CSL is truly an ultimate driving machine. (Photo: BMW Canada)

will remember from the '70s super-sport CS 'cars. The original 'Batmobile' 3.0 CSL was the purist's BMW: the car was focused on a rawer, more responsive drive through weight reduction and track-biased suspension tuning. The M3 CSL bridged that three-decade gap by using the latest technologies and a few age-old tricks to make it a true ultimate driving machine.

Aside from replacing major body panels with carbon fiber and SMC plastics, which shaved off 110 kg (243 lbs) from the stock M3's curb weight, the CSL also featured the SMG 2.0 transmission capable of upshifting gears in as little as 0.08s, and a more powerful, 360 horsepower version of the brand's famed straight six. The CSL also utilized a Nürburgring-honed

Given the success of the M3 CSL in Europe, BMW will be preparing a special option package for North American-bound M3s for 2005. (Photo: BMW Canada)

race suspension, and for the first time it featured the M-Track mode - but more on that later.

While the M3 CSL links back to the great 3.0 CSL and the first-gen M3 Evolutions, the rather somber reality is that North America never received it. Like the M5 Touring, the Audi RS2 and RS4, and other wonderful specialty vehicles, the M3 CSL never made it across the Atlantic. Given the success of the M3 CSL, BMW will be preparing a special option package for North American-bound M3s for 2005. Developed by the M-Motorsport division, the Competition Package will bring some of the higher-performance and visual elements to regular M3 Coupes.