BMW E9

BMW 3.0 CSL

BMW 3.0 CSL

Chris Amon, Winner of 6 Hours Race 1973 at Nürburgring with BMW 3.0 CSL

The BMW New Six CS (internal name BMW E9) is the two-door sport coupé in BMW's New Six line, produced from 1968 to 1975 alongside the four-door BMW E3 sedan.

It featured BMW M30 straight-6 engines of 2.5, 2.8 and 3.0 litres in road cars, with larger units used in racing.

It was very successful in racing and helped establish BMW's status as a sporty driver's car, with success in European Touring Car Championship and the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft.

The CSL model is very collectible today.

Models

• 2.5CS: 150 hp (110 kW), produced in small numbers (874) from 1974 to 1975
• 2800CS: 170 hp (125 kW), produced from 1968 to 1971
• 3.0CS: 180 hp (132 kW), using twin Zenith 35/40 INAT carburetors
• 3.0CSi: With several modifications, including a new compression ratio, and retuned Bosch D-Jetronic Electronic fuel injection system, the 3.0CSi bumped power up to an impressive 200 PS (149.1 kW), with a 137 mph top speed.
• 3.0CSL: The 3.0CSL is considered the first project by the BMW M division. The car was a lightweight sports model of the 3.0 coupe. Special racing models with 3.2-litre (340 hp/253 kW) and 3.5-litre (430 PS) engines and aerodynamic trimmings helped establish BMW as a premier racing team.

3.0CS

Starting in April 1971, the exclusive BMW 3.0 CS is built in Rheine by Karmann.

The four-seated coupe is the successor model of the BMW 2800 CS, which has been built by Karmann since September 1968, on behalf of BMW.

From 1971 until 1975 21,147 three liter BMWs are built in Rheine.

References in Popular Media

• A BMW 3.0 CSI was seen in Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo as one of the competing cars in the Trans-France Race. It was mostly light blue with white trim, and a numeral 8 inside a somewhat elliptical border. Also on this car was a word that seemed like Lotharl's on the hood.
• In an episode of the television program "Top Gear" presentor Jeremy Clarkson reviews the BMW E46 M3 CSL, and claims to have owned an old BMW 3.0CSL.

External links

http://www.e9coupe.com/ (excellent site for all things coupe!)

http://www.bmwcsregistry.org/ (US based BMW CS site)