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Traditionally
BMW creates a beautifully shaped coupe next to the sedan model in every
model series. The fantastic BMW CS (type E9) was introduced in the year
1968 as BMW 2800 CS. The CS was based upon and the successor of the 2000
CS (E120) which saw the light of day in 1965. The E9 looked much more
purposeful with it's longer bonnet and four round head lamps!
In 1971 the CS was given a stronger 3.0 Litre engine (3.0 CS). In the
year 1972 the engine was fitted with petrol injection (3.0 CSi). To have
the 3.0 CS accepted for the European Touringcar Championships BMW
Motorsport created a special 'homologation' model in the year 1971: the
3.0 CSL (Leicht). The 3.0 CSL can be considered the first 'M' BMW. The
factory had to built around 1000 CSL's to get the car accepted. The CSL
was based upon CS bodywork and mechanics but fitted with lightweight
parts like aluminium doors, hood and boot lid, special light weight
glass, light alloy wheels etcetera. The CSL was around 200 kilograms
lighter then the standard 3.0 CS. The CSL in racing trim became very
successful in the European Touring car Championships. The pinnacle of
the CSL era were the heavy spoilered 'Batmobiles' with engines tuned up
to 400 - 500 bhp! These cars won all the Touringcar Championships from
1975 until 1979!
After the oil crisis in the year 1973 BMW introduced an 'economy' model,
the 2.5 CS with a less thirsty 2.5 Litre engine. the 2.5 CS engine
produced 150 bhp., the contemporary 3.0 CSi kicked out 200 horses.
The BMW E9 CS models are all fantastic driver oriented automobiles with
fantastic road holding. The powerful and high revving six cylinder
engines are mere pieces of art, the smoothest, superb performing and
best sounding straight sixes ever fitted to a car. In total
approximately 30.546 BMW E9 CS cars were built. Amongst these 11.063 BMW
3.0 models of which approx. 1229 3.0 CSL models (including race cars).
With 844 cars produced the 2.5 CS is a very rare E9 version. The BMW E9
CS was succeeded by the BMW 630 CSI (E24).
Technical
data
6 cylinder
in-line engine (type M30)
tuned to Alpina B2 specification
cylinder capacity: 3003 cc.
Petrol injection
capacity: 200 DIN bhp. at 5500 rpm.
top-speed: 220 km/h.
acceleration 0-100 km/h: 7.5 sec.
gearbox: 5-speed, manual
weight: 1093 kg.
Sales
information
BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile',
year 1973. Colour Polaris metallic (code 060)
with tri-colour side stripes and a black/anthracite interior. During restoration the car
was given the CSL 3.2 'Batmobile' appearance. The colour Polaris
metallic, tri colour striping, roof spoiler and rear spoiler are all
correct for this specification. More
model information.
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