BMW creates an M5 CSL, and no, you can't have it
BMW M5 CSL - Click above for image gallery
To celebrate 25 years of the M5, BMW has created a one-off version of the E60 super saloon that Albert Biermann, head of BMW's M division calls, "the M5 CSL we never built."
The transformation began with a modified version of the standard M5's 5.0-liter V10, which has been stroked to 5.5-liters and fitted with a carbon fiber intake, secondary oil cooler and a new fascia. BMW remains mum on official power figures, but Biermann says the mods are good for around 580 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque over the standard 507 hp engine.
Mated to the modified mill is a fortified version of the seven-speed dual-clutch Getrag gearbox fitted to the current M3, while a carbon fiber roof joins a set of lightweight, carbon fiber seats up front. That, combined with the removal of the rear seats, sheds around 110 pounds from the M5's curb weight.
Although performance stats haven't been released, BMW says the M5 CSL laps the Nurburgring around 20 seconds faster than the standard model, so something around the 7:50 mark isn't out of the question. What is out of the question is the opportunity to buy the CSL. BMW has no plans to offer it to the public, and to that we say... fine. We'll wait for the twin-turbocharged V8 version coming in 2011.
Gallery: BMW M5 CSL
[Source: Autocar via BMWBlog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Franz 8:04PM (10/28/2009)
Damn... that must be a blast to drive. I suppose the stroker motor means a lower redline... which is kind of a shame (if you've ever caned an M5 up to redline, might understand where I'm coming from) but the extra 70+hp should more than make up for it.
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Jared 3:43AM (10/29/2009)
And yet we'll never know because they're greedy bastards.... haha
MikeW 4:49PM (10/29/2009)
No, you shouldn't assume that the redline is lower just because the stroke is increased.
The V10 was sufficiently oversquare to begin with, so that stroking keeps the mean piston speed under 25m/s, even at 8500rpm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i9rZD-NBr8
Berto 8:21PM (10/28/2009)
Dear BMW,
You finally build something many of us enthusiasts have dreamed of or suggested in the past but you won't let us buy it. What you do offer for us to purchase is large, overweight, unnecessary vehicles like the X6 M that no one asked for. My question is why?
You used to be so cool. I remember being 5 years old and drooling over the first E34 M5 I saw and the E30 M3.
I feel you owe me BMW, so if you don't mind, please drop this off at my place next Monday. I shall use it for a couple days and pass it along to my fellow enthusiasts here at autoblog. I am sure they'll do the same.
Best,
Berto
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Franz 8:56PM (10/28/2009)
I call next!
wiz 9:15PM (10/28/2009)
Does the M5 really not curb your craving?
And if not, there are still tuners.
The G-Power Hurricane as an extreme example.
But I do understand, it would be amazing to have this in showrooms.
swimstarguy 9:25PM (10/28/2009)
X6m that nobody asked for?
I see those all the time.
I think what you mean is "what no reasonable, commonsense, patriotic American, enthusiast asked for."
They might make stupid cars but they sure do sell well...
Davin Black 9:30PM (10/28/2009)
Dear BMW,
You seem to have developed a staggering program to improve your awesome V-10 and weight-saving techniques, but somehow applied them to the wrong vehicle. Feel free to get back to me when you've applied said engine and weight-saving techniques to the E89 Z4 .
(*stage whisper* Those folks over at Manhart Racing made the same mistake, albeit with an E85 Z4. Silly tuners.)
You can drop the finished product over at my place; a nice silver on red combination, a la BMW Z8 roadster would be preferred, but I'm honestly not picky.
Love,
Mr. Black
Berto 9:36PM (10/28/2009)
@wiz Oh yeah, I love the M5 which is why I want to drive this one too.
@swimstarguy "what no reasonable, commonsense, patriotic American, enthusiast asked for." You're right my friend, it's the true enthusiasts who didn't ask for this. The "Average Consumer" ate up the X6 M
dal20402 10:29PM (10/28/2009)
A tiny number of enthusiasts want something like an M5 CSL. (Hell, even I don't, because I like my back seats and luxury features.)
A huge number of poorly informed, trend-following consumers want big high vehicles with stupid power. They don't know driving dynamics from a hole in the ground, but they are (just barely) capable of comparing 0-60 times. They are ecstatic to buy an X6 M.
If you had a car company, and enjoyed staying in business, would you sell to the tiny number or the huge number of customers? I thought so.
SilverAero 8:27PM (10/28/2009)
Call me crazy, but i hate seeing 4 doors with no rear seats.
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bgkeen 8:36PM (10/28/2009)
I agree completely. If this ever was going to be sold to the public (I wish it was) the rear seats definitely need to go back in.
Hiimandy1 9:20PM (10/28/2009)
Couldn't they have done this but to an M6 instead? Makes more sense, especially against the CLK Black. A four door two seater? Really?
Bumblebee 8:46PM (10/28/2009)
This is hysterical. As if the M5 was eye-wateringly unattractive enough.
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CT A 12:32AM (10/29/2009)
You obviously don't know what the CSL is built for. It isn't for aesthetics.
Bumblebee 7:13AM (10/29/2009)
Then it would seem I don't know what the entire BMW lineup is built for.
JP 9:19PM (10/28/2009)
Normally I love the M tricolor stripes, but when applied like that, I can't help but to think "Aquafresh"...
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Venom 9:24PM (10/28/2009)
This is pretty nice.
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P.V. 9:24PM (10/28/2009)
Awwwww...
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Nate 3:24AM (10/30/2009)
As an owner of two "M" vehicles and a huge bimmer fan, this is looks ridiculous. Hopefully they will rescue the styling of BMW's in the future like they did with the new Z4. Here's to hoping the next M5 will look lightyears better than this styling atrocity.
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