The BMW 3.0 CSL is one of the most legendary designs in the German automaker’s history, and Italian company Riverti Automobili is now developing a modern homage inspired by the iconic racing car. The project combines the original CSL’s distinctive styling with modern underpinnings from a BMW M2.
Riverti Automobili CSL Homage Takes Shape
The original BMW 3.0 CSL was based on the 3.0 CSi and developed as a lightweight homologation special for European racing. Its aggressive front fascia and tall rear wing gave the car a distinctive appearance that earned it the “Batmobile” nickname.
Riverti Automobili has not yet announced the official name of its new project. The CSL homage description is based on the styling shown in the available teaser images.
The design features a pointed shark-nose front end, a prominent lower fascia and four circular headlights. Farther back, the car has a roof-mounted wing, wider fenders and another wing on the decklid, closely reflecting cues from the 1970s BMW race car.
Some darker teaser images also appear to show an asymmetric duct on the passenger side of the hood near the windshield. The vehicle is currently covered in a stylized wrap featuring the letter R, while a black roof gives the car a two-tone appearance.
No Interior or Powertrain Details Yet
Riverti Automobili has not released teaser images of the interior or provided powertrain details for the project. The company described the car in an Instagram post as: “Not ‘resto.’ Retro. The difference is everything.”
That statement indicates the project is not intended to be a restomod that updates an original BMW with modern technology. Instead, Riverti Automobili is focusing on creating a modern machine with an old-school appearance.
There are also no confirmed details about the cabin. The sporty exterior could potentially be paired with heavily bolstered seats and the removal of the rear bench to reduce weight, but those details have not been announced.
Could the BMW M2 Provide the Power?
If Riverti Automobili uses the 2027 M2’s stock powertrain, the resulting cars could offer substantial performance. The standard M2 uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six producing 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission.
The all-wheel-drive version produces 473 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque and uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. The M2 CS offered even more output at 523 hp.
The rear-wheel-drive M2 can reach 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive version reduces that time to 3.6 seconds.
For a modern tribute to the 3.0 CSL, the rear-wheel-drive configuration with a manual gearbox would align more closely with the character of the original car.
How the Modern CSL Compares With the Original
The original 3.0 CSL was never available in the United States because of its focus on touring car racing in Europe. Some examples eventually made their way to the U.S., while some owners modified their 3.0 CSi models to resemble the famous race cars.
The original cars initially used a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six before receiving a 3.2-liter engine in 1973. In road-going form, the cars produced as much as 203 hp, which was powerful for its era.
BMW Built Its Own 3.0 CSL Homage
BMW created its own 3.0 CSL homage in 2023. The limited production run consisted of 50 examples based on the M4 CSL, with extensively redesigned bodies intended to echo the appearance of the original cars.
Priced at $750,000 each, those 3.0 CSL examples were positioned more as collector’s items than vehicles intended for everyday use.
Riverti Automobili’s project remains without an official name or announced powertrain, but its teaser images clearly draw from the styling of the legendary BMW 3.0 CSL while incorporating modern design and mechanical elements.
