Did you think BMW’s M division was going to celebrate 50 years with only an SUV?
BMW Blog reports the division is working on a special M4 inspired by the 2015 CSL Hommage concept, with a reveal set before the end of the year to coincide with M’s 50th anniversary.
It’ll be one of a series of production debuts for the M division this year, along with the XM – the first SUV designed specifically for M – and hotter versions of the M4.
Based on the upcoming M4 CSL, it’ll reportedly feature more power, unique styling, and less weight.
3.0 CSL 
2015 3.0 CSL Hommage concept
It’ll reportedly be called the 3.0 CSL, dusting off the name of an E9-based homologation special from 1972, of which just 1265 were built.
The reborn 3.0 CSL will reportedly be even rarer: BMW Blog says production will be capped at 50 units and potential buyers are already being approached, which means it could be sold out by the time it’s revealed.
It’ll be expensive, too, with a rumoured price of between €600,000 to €700,000 (A$906,000 to $1.05 million).
The M4’s hardpoints mean it won’t look identical to the CSL Hommage concept, but there will reportedly be visual links to both the concept and, in turn, the original 3.0 CSL that inspired it.
BMW has reportedly done the work in-house instead of contracting a coachbuilder.
The 3.0 CSL will reportedly be available exclusively with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission.
Under the bonnet is expected to be a more powerful version of the M4’s S58 twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six, which could be bumped up from the Competition’s 375kW to as much as 447kW.
That could slash the 0-100km/h time to just 3.5 seconds, with a top speed exceeding 300km/h.
The M4’s undergone a crash diet, too, in the transformation to 3.0 CSL, shedding its rear seats, featuring a simplified instrument panel and slimmer seats, and brimming with carbon-fibre.
It’ll reportedly weigh just 1550kg, while the M4 coupe has a kerb weight of between 1700kg and 1775kg depending on the variant.
It could also feature active aerodynamic elements, as well as mounts to attach your GoPro when you take it to the track.
BMW has already teased the upcoming M4 CSL upon which this vehicle is based, ahead of a May 20 reveal.
In a now deleted post on social media, BMW posted two shadowy teaser images of the M4 CSL showing the front and rear of the car.
M4 CSL 
The front features yellow-tinged daytime running lights, à la the M5 CS, while the rear appears to feature OLED tail lights like the previous-gen M4 GTS.
CSL has traditionally stood for Coupe Sport Lightweight, as an English translation, and the E46 M3 CSL was 110kg lighter than the regular M3 and packed extra power and torque.
Spy shots of M4 CSL prototypes have revealed a prominent chin spoiler, aggressive aero bodykit, and a unique kidney grille with an insert that shows off a lot of the intercooler lurking behind it.
A BimmerPost forum member, who claims to compile leaks from within BMW, said the M4 CSL will be available exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The same BimmerPost forum member wrote the CSL will have a manual counterpart, however, bearing the GT/H name. It’ll reportedly enter production in November 2022, following the July 2022 start of production for the CSL.
MORE: Everything BMW M4
