BMW brings back 553 HP 3.0 CSL on limited 50-unit run

BMW is celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of its most powerful road-legal cars in a big way. After its launch in 1972 with one of the most aerodynamic bodies ever seen on a production car, which earned it the nickname ‘Batmobile’, the CSL (which stands for Coupe, Sport, Lightweight) returns looking a little like the M4 but with its own inimitable body styling.

It still gets a coupe-like body but sports BMW’s new kidney grille design that is finished in satin aluminum. Thankfully, it isn’t as big as the one on the M4. The aggressive body lines and angular shapes blend very well over the smooth body and muscular fenders. Aside from the hand-painted motorsport-inspired livery, another feature that makes it distinct are the BMW Laser Light headlights in yellow.

It sits on 20-inch forged light-alloy wheels in a Y-spoke design using Michelin tires exclusively made for the BMW 3.0 CSL. The rear brings up the tail wing and air deflector for additional downforce, a carbon diffuser, and four tailpipes arranged in an arrow shape. The taillights use filigree laser light threads for ‘floating light’ and a 3D effect.

Inside the new BMW 3.0 CSL are two front seats and a rear storage compartment with two integrated helmets compartment. That's right, don't expect to find any rear seats here. The driver and passenger have M Carbon full bucket seats with Black Alcantara and M seat belts. It has an M Alcantara steering wheel, an anthracite roof liner, a black Alcantara, matte carbon surfaces, a white gearshift knob, a red start/stop button, and available red M buttons on the steering wheel.

Under the hood is BMW’s most powerful inline-six ever used in a road-legal production model. It's a 3.0-liter engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. The 553 horsepower and 550 Nm of torque it makes go to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. It has an Active M Differential, Dynamic Stability Control for superior driving dynamics and traction.

Other amazing features of the new BMW 3.0 CSL are a double-joint spring strut front axle and a five-link rear axle in M-specific design, an Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers, the electromechanical M Servotronic steering with variable ratio, and the M carbon ceramic brake system with adjustable characteristic curves.

Each unit comes with a matte interior trim in a carbon fiber finish with sequential numbering for each of the 50 units.

With its limited run and exclusive features, it will be pricey. If you want one, send feelers to BMW already.