BMW New Six

The BMW New Six is a line of six-cylinder luxury cars produced by the German automaker BMW from 1968 to 1977. The series was introduced as a response to the Mercedes-Benz-dominated large luxury car class and was very important in establishing BMW's reputation as a maker of sporting, luxury sedans. A two-door coupé version was produced alongside. Racing versions of the coupé enhanced BMW's reputation in auto racing. The sedans have the internal name E3, while the coupés are E9.

Models were given names denoting their engine sizes, and suffixes to indicate the long-wheelbase (L) and fuel injection (i) available on later cars. The coupés were all named CS, followed by i (for fuel injection models) or L (for light-weight models, which also had fuel injection and higher power).

* 2500/2.5, 2.5CS (2478 cc, 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp)) * 2800/2.8, 2800CS (2769 cc, 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp)) * 3.0S, 3.0CS (2966 cc, 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) using twin Zenith 35/40 INAT carburetors) * 3.0Si, 3.0Li, 3.0CSi (2966 cc, 200 or 195 PS (143 kW; 192 hp), depending whether Bosch D-Jetronic or L-Jetronic was installed) * 3.3Li (3188 cc, 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp)

The CS models were coupés based on the standard sedans, and looked identical from the front. But they were also related to the earlier 2000CS, as is evident at the rear. The first model was the well-equipped 2800CS of 1968.

The 3.0CS models introduced in 1971. In 1974 the smaller engined 2.5CS was made in small numbers, in response to the fuel crisis. The CSL models were lightweight racing versions which competed in Group 2 form in the European Touring Car Championship, with CSL drivers winning the Drivers title six times in the years 1973 and 1975 to 1979.

The CSL also competed in Group 5 Special Production guise, winning three rounds of the 1976 World Championship for Makes. In FIA Group 4 spec, notably when driven by Hans-Joachim Stuck (car featured in Enthusia Professional Racing), they competed against racing versions of the Porsche 911 and Ford Capri with some success. With all the aerodynamic spoilers for racing, the car became known as the 'Batmobile'.

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