German Car Zone

And so the hatred commences , hardly surprising since most were consumed by the Chris Bangle Design era.

As before I have discussed the current situation within BMW. Marketing exercises known as Vanity projects have been replaced by further development within " BMW Efficient Dynamics" Why?
Sustainability and the ability to produce cars that can be efficient and well within restrictions for the future.
We want to be on the road when everyone else is being forced off.

The future is not all hybrids although each BMW model will feature an Active Hybrid model starting with the X6 , X5 and 7er this will eventually spread through the PAS,5er,3er, 1er etc.
More developments are on the way under Efficient Dynamics that will make regular petrol models meet their targets.

Right now the focus is on the image generated by small premium cars such as the rise in success of the 1er products which will also follow through with the X1 and in the next generation model with a Z2 Roadster and a variant under the forthcoming Progressive Activity Sedan.
Surprisingly now BMW have returned to the shelf regarding the current 1er and will launch alternative models aimed at keeping the small premium BMW line intact until the next generation.

Again I repeat the plans for the CSL models radically changed when Efficient Dynamics became the priority , Lightweight materials although the norm were the main consideration but now advances in Efficient Dynamics will effectively become the main talking point for BMW's M-Division. The new plans for the M3 CSL will showcase the lightweight ideas for the future and the technology.

The first BMW car that will use KERS Technology will be a model from M-Division, as of now that technology is work in progress and as of now our engineers are making great progress in sorting out the glitches , But it will be ready and available one day. The M3 CSL was the first model expected to be the groundbreaking BMW to receive this technology but the technology is still very much in development and in infancy.
To launch a CSL today would be counter-productive to the current car when our talking point would be the PS output. But we like to bring lots more to the conversation and as of now we cannot.

Maybe I am getting tired of repeating myself but seldom few take the message that M-Division will become the absolute "pinacle" of Efficient Dynamics. There is a lot we have learned by our current M models - Lightweight materials as one , The need for better fuel consumption and larger fuel tanks , and inspired by our GINA exercise Active Aerodynamics.
Which in several BMW models today behind the kidney grille flaps open and close improving airflow - The essence of the GINA Concept today.

More the reason Why? Why change the direction? Why not follow the competitors? Why not produce a Vanity project like this manufacturer?
Some people do not understand that BMW is not like any other manufacturer we want each product to be a typical BMW whether it is a SAV or Roadster , Touring or indeed a progressive Activity Sedan It still remains a BMW so there would be no sacrifice in typical BMW attributes.

Today we are accustomising to what will happen and preparing ourselves to what is over the horizon, Will The world head into recession? we do not know but current climate is not so clear.
For now it's sustainability and what we are doing is gearing up to that, tomorrow however is another day.
I would not say that we are being (Gay?) as someone harshly put it , But being more sensible with comments like "Efficient Dynamics" and the Hydrogen 7 project is just marketing by our rivals. Suggests that our success in this area is getting to them , We focused on environmental developments first when they were focusing on beating BMW .
When you actually realise they have not.

Another old quote which Scott made in another thread:

Reading it again somehow manages to tantalize my tastebuds. There is hope
IMO, the soonest we will get to see an M3 CSL will be a year after the E92 F/L is introduced. Its wayy to early right now.

Oh, there may well be a car badged "CSL" (BMW will not miss the opportunity to exploit the brand) but my main concern is that BMW will turn it into something else. Something like a Prius... or more likely a SUV Prius (with "ground breaking driver involvement and very good luggage space"). That is quite far away from what the last CSL was. That car was compared to the Prosche GT3 and the Ferrari Stradale. That is what people is expecting the next time around too... if the new one manages that, Die Grünen over att BMW M may do almost what they want, but dont come draging with some crap about the "CSL does not operate in that market".

BMW is actively moving away from those traditional values that make a great drivers car and trying to invent others ("oh, it has great range"). M-division is no more the Motorsport division but the Green pot division - working only on trucks... Now, that is some contradiction.

But who wants to wait to year 2011 for a M3 CSL?
I dont, bmw need to relese a real sportcar soon to show that they still know how to build proper sportcars. And a sportcar for the aficionados.

I don't think the CSL makes sense from a financial point of view. Cost of design, cost of materials, cost of production and advertising etc etc. However the car is a brand icon - especially from the original CSL 3.0. Its both a sports car and an icon to keep the enthusiast pumped. So in the long run it may be profitable to make this car, to keep the fans happy, and to keep general enthusiasm up.

However, BMW wants to look environmentally conscious. Unlike mercedes BMW doesn't want to display an image of complete disregard from one of the most important issues that faces us today. That issue being the environment and of course efficiency.

So the CSl finds itself threading the fine line of continuing an icon while not portraying an image of "who gives a shit about the environment".

Honestly, there may not be a place for it.

You have a few good points...

I think the CSL is a great opportunity to display how much may be gained by just focusing on weight. I think BMW is making a mistake when not building up its new image from different directions. Everything will be a compromise.

BMW is the #1 brand for sporty everyday cars in the world market. This is mainly due to a fine tradition of creating truly stunning sportscars and for dedication in various racing series. Because of this image BMW does not have to build as comfortable cars as Mercedes do or as versatile cars as Audi do. Brand image. Now BMW wants to change image into the "Green sporty alternative". To me this is transition is best done in steps, most of all to maintain the sporty part of the image.

1. If you want to go all Prius on the BMW brand then do it the Prius way. Make the PAS hybrid only, showcasing the latest fuel conservation technology in stock (KERS, ultra-efficient diesel/turbo engines). I would go for that.

2. Let the CSL show what weight reduction can do - improved mpg / l/km and in the same time show the world that BMW still makes the best driving enthusiasts cars. This car is pure image.

3. Use the trucks for something suitable. Hydrogen X6? Maybe some technology that today is to heavy to use in a real car?

The next step is to let these parts collaborate. You can't leave the sporty side unguarded. Not until the next generation, when it will be held by an electric Lotus, the step will be to big and the audience will not get it.

Well, that is how I call it. I know there are other views...

This is where BMW should learn from Porsche. Porsche develops their trucks and makes money from them and use that cash to make proper enthusiast cars like the CGT, GT3 and GT2. In the end nobody loses. Right now BMW doesn't have a single proper racer in their lineup. Both the 135i and M3 are on the slight edge of being too heavy to be proper BMW enthusiast cars. BMW needs to come up with a model that's not mainstream and hope that will be the CSL.

LOL, you guys make me roll my eyes. How much M3 CSL E46 were made? 300? 400?

X5 M and X6 M will sell 10 times as good as the E46 + E92 M3 CSL ever will combined.
Calling them idiots because they do not do what your fanboy mind wants, is what I call idiotic.

I want the CSL too, more than X5 M clearly, but Scott says it will come and BMW has said so many things in the past that they completely changed a year later.

The point is that the CSL is an important image builder. If BMW wants to have a sporty image, that is...

times are changing and bmw is reacting to these changes. porsche is already afraid of whats coming in the next few years, face it the purism we once have known is over. new concepts are needed.