Bavarian Motor Works has cancelled plans to produce the lighter, sharper and faster version of the E92 M3. Originally scheduled to arrive on the market by the summer of 2009, BMW will no longer be producing an E92 M3 CSL.

Ludwig Willisch, boss of BMW’s M division, told CAR Magazine that the automaker canned the project since it doesn’t make business sense. “Based on current numbers, there is most likely insufficient demand for the M3 CSL,” said Willisch.

BMW will instead focus its resources on the M-versions of the X5 and X6.

The E93 BMW M3 CSL was supposed to be powered by the same 4.0L V8 engine producing an extra 50 horsepower for a total of 470. To save weight, BMW was going to drop the radio, navigation and air-conditioning. A bunch of carbon fiber was to be added to the front apron, hood, roof, side panels and rear bumper.

 

That sucks .

 

Bummer.

 

Great move! I agree 100% the market isnt there for the car and the price was going to be STEEP! I much rather see a M X series any day of the week!

 

Wow, that's a big dissapointment. Open goal in terms of strengthening the brand IMO.

No SUV is ever going to carry on the M legacy, whatever the short terms sales figures might show.

 

The Cayenne GTS (the "M" equivalent for Porsche) sold well so from a business standpoint it's probably better they dropped the project.

 

That's my point though. Consider the Porsche brand in ten years time if they focused on SUVs and other market trends, instead of RS-models or financial disasters like the Carrera GT. Diluted, without a doubt.

So, in a short term perspective it might make sense, but in the long run I think this kind of strategy is bound to have negative effects. Both on future sales and future margins.

 

No CSL makes me cry...

 

I still see an M3 CSL being built in the future, but of course, that depends on a lot of factors.

 

F*#king Idiot. Disgraceful.

You dont build cars like the CSL to make financial sense, you build them to create excitement and loyalty to your brand.