BMW won't build E92 M3 CSL. Will build M X5 instead.

[motoyen]

From German Car Fans.

We are sorry to have to bring you the gut-wrenching news that has surfaced today. M Division boss Luwig Willisch has confirmed that the pure performance orientated E92 BMW M3 CSL will NOT make it to production. BMW believes that there will be insufficient demand for the model and will instead focus its efforts of the M Division on the M versions of the X5 and X6. The lighter and more performance orientated CSL (Coupe Sport Lightweight) was expected to drop in weight by up to 100kg due to the use of much lighter materials for its components and rumours also stated a power rating of 450bhp-470bhp could have been achieved.

My guess is that BMW has analyzed the market and is seeing that more revenue can come from the M X5/X6 instead of the CSL. Great for shareholders but disappointing that a company that prided itself on its motorsport heritage has gotten softer every year.

I hate those performance SUV's with a passion. Just what we need more over powered land yachts driven by clueless W. Van housewives.

[Blakeoffire]

That's interesting you bring up this subject of BMW's current direction with the M-Division cars.

I was watching an old Top Gear episode from June 19th, 2005 tonight and there was a simple-yet-effective and straight-to-the-point review by Hammond of the (back then) new BMW 3-series and the company's rapidly changing transformation...

Watch it...>> http://video.google.ca/videoplay?doc...es&vt=lf&hl=en



-B.

[redhatpat]

Blake, I've got the first 8 seasons downloaded and ready to watch. Do you know which season/episode that was in?

I'm still just at the 3rd episode of the first season. They've made some changes to the show since then, that's for sure. The garage they film in is pretty empty! ha ha

[Blakeoffire]

It's from the 4th episode of Season 6...

I love watching the older seasons when there were about 20 people in the 'audience' and the show was just jam-packed full of features...way more interactive and harsh in an honest nature. They all seem to be having more fun in the earlier/mid seasons without resorting to a scripted-skit feel.

Also interesting to watch when the very first 'audience applause' addition kicks in after a film/review ends... and also annoying to notice when the canned-laughter creeps in as the Seasons wind on (you hear it, but no one is visibly laughing).

Good stuff though, those earlier seasons... enjoy them. I'm currently re-visiting all of them right now again.


-B.

[motoyen]

Best episode is Season 5 episode 2. It's what Top Gear should be about. The last season was meh.

[Blakeoffire]

Originally Posted by motoyen Best episode is Season 5 episode 2. It's what Top Gear should be about. The last season was meh.

Agreed..

So many full episodes back in seasons 3-6 are thoroughly enjoyable to watch from beginning right on up to the end-credits. With the last few seasons though, I've just been more impressed (and blown away at times) with the actual short-films/features on one specific car... the editing, the interesting camera angles, the choreography, the music choices, the inventive techniques applied to making the film itself are a work of art now (and yes, I know you and others dislike the choppy editing but as a piece of filmwork, they are rather impressive).

I think it was season 8 for me where I noticed something was lost and the scripted 'cocking about' pieces started filling up a huge chunk of airtime within most of the episodes. It just felt like something aimed more towards the masses after that... when TG entered its 'BMW 3-series' years, perhaps..?


-B.

[E30M20B25]

Hey Pat!

Could I get a copy of that episode if you have it handy?

Thank you kindly!

[320iCar]

although i may not agree with the way that SUV's are becoming "performance vehicles", it does bring up a point.

bmw, and more specifically, Mercedes Benz, are today's muscle car company's. now, granted, back in the 60's muscle cars where powerful, but also somewhat affordable. and the run of the mill AMG is just a bit out of most of our price ranges.

BUT! if you think about the theory and ideals behind the AMG devision. it is very similar to the mid 60's. shoehorn in the most powerful engine into any car we sell. look at mercedes. practically every car they currently sell has an AMG optioned version. even the R class (which is their minivan). can you imagine driving a 505hp minivan to soccer practice? its just like the AMC Gremlin. that thing was scary with its small block V8.

so although i may not agree with what they are doing, i defend to the death their right to do it!

[DS Rook]

I just spent the day chasing down an X6 around the track today. If they make a M version of that thing, it will be scary. The technology that thing has helps make it handle pretty well. Kinda like a fat chick in nike's.

[320iCar]

well the x6 can get a twin turbo v8. 400hp is fast in any vehicle

[redhatpat]

Originally Posted by E30M20B25 Hey Pat! Could I get a copy of that episode if you have it handy? Thank you kindly!

Season 5, episode 2? I just checked it out and it's pretty choppy, doesn't play very well for some reason. Also, its 300+Mb, shall I email it to you?