Forget the CSL! BMW is working on a very special version of the new G80 M3

The launch of the BMW M3 Competition and the BMW M4 Competition with xDrive has brought a major change to these two sports cars. Adding all-wheel drive will undoubtedly help the Bavarian brand sell more units of its new members of the performance division of the German manufacturer, BMW M. The news doesn’t stop there: BMW is working on something very special for drivers who crave adrenaline on every kilometre.

You’re probably thinking of the name CSL, but no, it’s something much bigger; it’s one of the most legendary names in the Bavarian brand’s history… Can you think of any? BMW M has hinted that it could be working on a very special model to mark the 50th anniversary celebrated in 2022, and it’s possible that this model will revive a name much admired by its followers. As you probably know, there have been rumours that the new sports car could carry the initials CSL on its tail, Coupé Sport Lightweight, as used on the BMW M3 E46, but two patents have just been registered that rule out that idea.

BMW M3, Sport Evo?

On 7 May, BMW filed two trademark applications with the German DPMA. The first one registered is called ‘Evo Sport‘, which may remind you of one of the most legendary models from the German house. The BMW M3 E30 had a special version called Sport Evo, limited to just 600 units, which were produced to homologate the racing model for Group A.

The BMW M3 E30 Sport Evo was completely different from the standard BMW M3 E30; they only shared the bonnet. The Sport Evo had wider track, reinforced struts, much thinner glass, an additional cooling system instead of fog lights, an adjustable rear spoiler and remarkable power.

Just thinking about it makes us nervous. Everything points to the new patents possibly signalling the revival of a similar name, or simply the Bavarian brand wanting to prevent other manufacturers from using its historic names. Alongside ‘Evo Sport’, BMW has also registered the trademark ‘Evo Track‘. This new name is a first for the Bavarian brand. ‘Evo Sport’ could arrive as a road car, while ‘Evo Track’ would be a special name for a model exclusive to circuits.

The previous-generation BMW M3 and BMW M4, as well as the new BMW M5, have featured CS variants, while the BMW M4 also had a track-focused special edition called GTS. It’s worth noting that BMW has also recently registered the name Rockingham, so it will be interesting to see which of these names reaches the production line.