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Cape Town - When BMW introduced the BMW M3 CSL to the motoring fraternity in 2003, very few people could anticipate what the automaker had up their sleeve.
Strip down
What the automaker decided to do was take the orginal BMW E46 M3 and put in on a diet. Luxuries such as electric seats, air-conditioning and radio were extracted. on the exterior, the roof was made out of carbon-fibre, thin glass was used for the rear window while the rear spoiler was made from plastic.
Weighing at 1385kg, hence being labelled as the Coupe Sport Lightweight, produced 265kW/370Nm from its 3.2-litre engine. Astonishingly, the CSL races from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds, not far off from the 2017 M3 competition pack, which does a 0-100 time of 4.2 seconds.
This is particularly impressive considering that both cars come from two different eras and the fact that the 2017 competition pack is powered by a line 6, 331 kW turbocharged motor.
Out of body experience
While the M3 evolved and became more powerful over time, The CSL version is without a doubt one of the most iconic M3 derivatives ever made. An M3 is and M3 and what that means is that once you here hear the seat belt click, you know that you are in for a pure driving experience.
Former Top Gear presenter famously Jeremy Clarkson described the CSL as 'the most hardcore BMW ever made' upon testing the car in the Isle of Man.
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Remember when Jeremy Clarkson gave his impressions of the M3 CSL?
