The CS coupes are among the best of all BMW classics.
Ignoring the under-powered 2000CS of the early days, other
CS coupes had the best six-cylinder engines in the world
- powerful, smooth and refined.
All CS coupes offered
the remarkable build quality and driver comforts, plus
exceptional handling for a 4-passenger car.
Among them, the 3.0CS series was the most popular, no
doubt due to the brilliant engine.
While the 180 hp 3.0CS
and 200 hp fuel-injected 3.0CSi were already attractive,
BMW engineers went on to produce an even more desirable
variation - BMW 3.0CSL ( "L" stands for "Light" ).
This car adopted some aluminum body panels to reduce
weight, plus many exaggerative aerodynamic kits including
the huge rear wing which gave it the nickname "Batmobile".
It was designed by Giugiaro (3.0CSL only, not the whole
CS series), that was probably his most aggressive design.
Like the
BMW 2002 turbo, the BMW 3.0CSL was aimed at motor
racing, although the racing version was actually powered
by a 3.5-liter 24-valve straight six which eventually
adopted by the M1 mid-engined supercar.
Early road version
3.0CSL's used the same engine as 3.0CSi, then revised a
little bit to 3003cc., and at last enlarged to 3153cc.
with 206 hp.