Priciest BMW ever makes global entry November
By Mike Ochonma
BMW has released some insights into the rebooted icon, citing insider information, and this new machine on wheels is expected to be revealed globally as early as November.
But it will be exclusive and expensive, with BMW looking set to produce just 50 of the sports cars. Although pricing has not been announced, feelers are pointing to somewhere in the region of $750,000. This will make it, by far, the most expensive BMW ever.
Rear-wheel drive. Manual transmission. More than 400kW. These are just some of the things you can expect from the new BMW 3.0 CSL, at least if the latest rumours are anything to go by.
The new 3.0 CSL won’t be an all-new model, but rather a derivative of the latest BMW M4 and complete with a smaller grille, as can be seen in the frontal image of a disguised prototype that was posted by Frank van Meel, BMW M Division boss, on Instagram back in June.
In terms of its engine and transmission, the new 3.0 CSL will stick to a decidedly purist formula, with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.
Power will come from a modified version of the current S58 six-cylinder turbo-petrol. The German publication says insiders have hinted at an output as high as 560 horsepower (417kW).
The CSL is also set to shed some weight, thanks to numerous carbon fibre components as well as simplified electronics and the deletion of the rear seat.
At this stage, there is no word on whether it will be built in right-hand drive format, or whether any of the 50 units will make their way to Nigeria.
The original BMW 3.0 CSL was built between 1971 and 1975 and it was the first vehicle developed by the company’s Motorsport division, according to Autoevolution.
Power came from a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine that produced 132kW (although a later upgrade brought the tally to 152kW) and the vehicle was stripped of all unnecessary trimmings to keep weight to a minimum.
BMW first hinted at a revival of the model, with its 3.0 CSL Hommage concept of 2015. Seven years later, a production version is finally seeing the light of day.
(3) CIG Motors, COOPLAG seal MoU on vehicle purchases
CIG Motors recently entered a partnership with Shell Staff Cooperative (COOPLAG) on a vehicle purchase scheme. This happened during an official visitation by COOPLAG to the head office of the automotive marketer in Victoria Island, Lagos.
During the visit, the team toured the GAC showroom and after-sales service centre described by the dealership as the bedrock of the CIG Motors business.
Jubril Arogundade, general manager, commercial of CIG, while further introducing the CIG automotive business to the visitors, emphasized on the benefits and relevance of the partnership to Shell Staff Cooperative.
These benefits include good prices for all GAC cars, excellent service advisory, after-sales promo (discounts) and gift items as the success of this partnership will be built solidly on CIG Motors after-sales service.
Speaking at the signing, Jude Eforegbe, president of COOPLAG, expressed gratitude and goodwill to CIG Motors for the warm reception. He emphasized on the need to capture the benefits stated in the MOU as the partnership is all about bringing value for COOPLAG and CIG Motors.