VIDEO of high performance E92 M3 (CSL or GT4 ?) test prototype !!

[Jason]

As featured on M3post Homepage.

We bring you the very first video of the recently spied E92 M3 CSL (or M3 GT4 street version racecar?) !! Feast your eyes (and ears) on this high performance E92 M3.

This test M3 was filmed this week at the Nurburgring, a testing week for auto manufacturers. So contrary to some that believe this to be a personally owned car with modifications, it is not.

This is the car spotted in these photos earlier in the week. Word is this M3 features KERS technology.

[Stronie]

Wow That sounds so mean!!! Can't wait to see what comes of it !

[KonigsTiger]

Nice vid but that is no CSL, just a moded M3 with a ugly rear wing stuck to it. Sorry!! Again, nice vid.

[FStop7]

Sounds good, fairly close to stock. A little sharper, but not too different.

[elp_jc]

Sounds and looks stock to me, other than minor mods .

[richardg]

These are different wheels this time. Most people do not own more than 1 set of wheels beyond stock. And even people with multiple wheel setups do not tend to change so often (though this could just be a track wheel/tire combo) That is the only reason I think this may be a special bmw car. Other than that I would guess that this is someones personal ride just modded.

[FStop7]

There's also what appears to be a pitot tube on the front and a small antenna on the rear.

Still not sure if this is legit. I swear BMW always blacks out the roundels on test cars.

[thesixsins]

Sweet ride either way~!

[x838nwy]

Just a few observations:

1.) Now that the e9x is coming near the end of its life cycle, it would the usual time for BMW to bring out a CSL version.

2.) To me, it appears that it is a 'works' version because of 4 things:
2.1) The exhaust is stock. If it were a tuner or even a private car, surely if they're testing/modding it to the extent that they've stuck on that fugly wing, they surely would have gone for an aftermarket/custom exhaust.
2.2) The stick at the front. I am guessing that this is to measure roll angle. I know there are great tuners out there who do their jobs but this is someone who's SERIOUS about finding out how the chassis behaves.
2.3) The antenna on the trunk lid. Whoever is developing this car has the resources/need for one of these. This is an addition to the oem one on the roof. In the photo shots, it was a kind of straight antenna. In the video, it is clearly a slightly smaller version of what is on the roof. I'd guess that only a big outfit would have the resources to do this sort of thing in such a short time. (Assuming it is the same car).
2.4) Lack of any identifiable marks. If they're a German tuning company, wouldn't they have their stickers on it all over the place? Surely we'd see Harmann wheels or AC Schnitzer rear wing or something? If it were a racing team, surely a closed track would be the preferred venue for testing?

3.) All photos of test mules from BMW have blacked out badges (as pointed out earlier). Also, the tradition for CSL models is a light weight version of the 'normal' M3. I assume this would mean CF panels and so on. I don't see any on this car.

4.) There are posts on the photo thread that this car exists (at BMW and built by BMW) and I truly believe that. However, why would they build a (track) car that they don't/won't sell? The next 3 series will have a different chassis to this one, so why bother? Surely their race car development programme tests on the track and would be a lot more different to the stock version than this? Why does this car exist at all? (I still assume that it's just one car.)

The only answer I could _guess_ for my last question is that this was a test mule for the M3 CSL that got killed off about 9 months ago. If they're driving it around now... may be the CSL is back on....?

[Trier Germany]

This video was taken during touristen fahrt "open to the public" BMW would never test during public sessions! Large tuners like Hamann Schnitzer Hartge rent the track and test various models. So probably some unknown small tuning company testing during public track day. This guy needs to change the tires they scream way to much for my liking.

[Antinontoxic]

You eyes see only what they want to see.

[samuraisaiyo]

not bad

[Sick Speed]

"Word is this M3 features KERS technology."



The M5 is the M you are thinking of that might feature KERS.

[Vaheb]

Jizz.

[Silverstone]

Look like stock + mods.

Don't feel the CSL or GT4 in it.

[GuyOh]

i still dont see why this is considered to be a csl prototype.......

looks like just some riced up M3

[GTM]

I drove the E46 CSL, and I really liked the car...how it surpasses many aspects of even modded normal E46 M3s.


But, even if it is CSL, I dont think BMW will sell those in N.A. anyways.

[bavarian19]

Does not look all that good. I would like to know what wheels they are, but that is about it.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by Trier Germany

This video was taken during touristen fahrt "open to the public" BMW would never test during public sessions! Large tuners like Hamann Schnitzer Hartge rent the track and test various models. So probably some unknown small tuning company testing during public track day. This guy needs to change the tires they scream way to much for my liking.

When you look at the pictures of this car you can see the little sticker on the left rear side window allowing them to drive during the industry sessions.


Best regards,
south

[Mark]

Guys, this is a BMW Test car and not a suped up car as some of you are saying. The car came from and returned to the BMW testing paddocks. I think this is the production version of the GT4 which has already been confirmed as forthcoming by the M Division CEO

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Sick Speed

"Word is this M3 features KERS technology."



The M5 is the M you are thinking of that might feature KERS.

I'm well aware that the next M5 will likely be getting KERS. And I'm pretty sure I can make the distinction between this car and the next M5. So, like I said, there has been some insinuation that THIS car has KERS, per a BMW insider.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Trier Germany

This video was taken during touristen fahrt "open to the public" BMW would never test during public sessions! Large tuners like Hamann Schnitzer Hartge rent the track and test various models. So probably some unknown small tuning company testing during public track day. This guy needs to change the tires they scream way to much for my liking.

Sorry, but this is false. I am in direct contact with the person who filmed this video and this M3 was filmed this week. This week at the ring was a test week and the other cars you see in the video are other test cars.