BMW will launch a new 'CSL' version of the M3 to sit between the standard saloon and GTS models later this year.

Revealed today at a special 'M' event in Munich, the special M3 model is described by M president Kay Segler as "a special design model focusing on lightweight construction". The car will be revealed in full at the Nurburgring 24 hours in June. Segler said it used a version of the M3s 4.0 V8 engine, with power between the standard M3 and GTS models.

It will be a limited production model containing "several other surprises", according to segler. Features include a more aggressive front end with new bumper and splitter, a lowered ride hight, what appears to be a wider track, 19in alloys, a subtle boot spoiler and quad exhausts.

BMW is mum on the exact details on this stripped-out sedan, only saying that it's designed to slot in between the standard model and the race-ready GTS coupe. Output should remain close to the standard 420 horsepower, but the brakes, suspension and exhaust will be tweaked for maximum performance. There's no word on how many pounds the M division stripped from the sedan and U.S. availability, but we should have all the details when the big 'Ring race happens this June.