The 3.0 CSL race cars were the first cars to be developed under BMW Motorsport GmbH. They were also the first to sport the newly
designated official colors of BMW Motorsport - red, blue and purple - and the first to use ABS.
The 3.0 CSL won 5 European Touring Car Championships between 1973 and 1979, as well as national championships in several countries. CSLs were so
successful they continued to win races into the late 1970s even though production ended in 1975 to make way for its successor, the 6 Series.
Thanks to the development of a four-valve cylinder head, the BMW six-cylinder engine grew from 3.2 to 3.5 liters and increased in horsepower from 340 to
430.
In the USA, BMW of North America campaigned a 3.5 CSL team in 1975 and won IMSA races at Sebring,
Laguna Seca, Riverside, Daytona and Talledega. Drivers involved in the American success of the CSLs, included Hans Stuck, Sam Posey, Brian Redman, Allan Moffat, Dieter Quester and Benny Parsons.
The racers differed from
the standard 3.0 CSL's in that they had the larger 3.2 liter engines and the distinctive spoiler.
By 1974, BMW Motorsport was eager to homologate their only 3.5 liter engine for production-based racing. That homologation required the production of a run of larger engined road cars. The result was the fitting of their 3.2 liter (3153 cc) engine to the 3.0 CSL which increased horsepower by 6bhp (to 206bhp) and torque.
In addition to the larger engine, Series 3 cars were often supplied with a package of
aerodynamic components so dramatic that the name "Batmobile" was soon applied. That package consisted of a very large rear wing, a more traditional rear spoiler and front fender spats. These components were very
successful in
competition.
There were 167 Batmobiles built in total (including the series 3.5 cars) all of which were finished in either Polaris silver or Chamonix white.
CSL Racer
Engine: 6-cylinder in-line
Valve linkage: SOHC, 12-valve/DOHC, 24-valve
Displacement: 3191/3498 cc
Bore x stroke: 92 x 80 mm/94 x 84 mm
Compression Ratio: 11.0 : 1
Power output: 340 horsepower at 7800 rpm
430 horsepower at 8500 rpm
Transmission: Getrag 5-speed
Suspension: Front: MacPherson strut, aluminum
Rear: Semi-trailing arm, aluminum strut damper units
Wheels: Front: 16 x 13-inch BBS
Rear: 16 x 16-inch BBS
Tires: Front: 300/625-16
Rear: 350/650-16
Weight: 2341 lbs.
Years of
construction: 1972-1975
