German Sports Car Maker Wiesmann Will Return In 2019

And of course, they'll be powered by BMW M engines.

It's not easy for boutique sports car manufacturers to survive in this day and age. Even well-established brands like Lamborghini and Maserati have now resorted to building SUVs. Then again, both are owned by huge parent companies, Volkswagen Group and FCA, respectively. Wiesmann, a small privately-owned German sports car builder, was so impacted by the lack of demand for sports cars that it was forced to declare bankruptcy in 2013. Jump forward to today and, amazingly, Wiesmann has been able to overcome the brink of collapse and will now be making a major comeback.

Wiesmann says it will be releasing "an exciting new model next year in 2019" which will be re-engineered to come out of the company's Dulmen factory in Germany within two years. To celebrate the momentous return, Wiesmann will attend the Salon Privé Concours d'Elégance from August 30 to September 1 with two V8 heritage models: the GTMF5 Coupe (shown above) and MF4 Roadster (below). In an ode to tradition, each new car will be hand-built and completely bespoke for the individual owners.

As with previous Wiesmann sports cars, this new model will borrow an engine from the BMW M Division. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo S63 V8 from the F90 M5 is expected to make an appearance, where it will produce at least 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The latest M5 is all-wheel drive, so it will be interesting to see if Wiesmann sticks to rear-wheel drive with its upcoming sports car. One thing is for sure, the signature Wiesmann gecko logo will be present on the hood of the new car. More details as they arrive.

BMW CSL Models Set To Make Return

Looks like BMW is reviving a classic name.

Last year, BMW telegraphed a part of its future product cadence when the company made efforts to secure trademark rights to the name “CSL,” three little letters with heavy hitting significance to roundel enthusiasts. The CSL badge hasn’t graced the rear of a BMW since the M3 CSL ended production in 2004, nearly 15 years ago. Luckily, a brand spokesperson confirmed to The Drive that "CSL" will soon return in order to replace "GTS" as the company's most hardcore performance offer.

CSL is still alive, and replaces GTS on further cars which are appropriate to get a CSL version—generally speaking," outlined the spokesperson, hinting at a reorganized hierarchy of sportiness. The new scheme will start with M Performance cars like the M240i, which is hotter than it should be but still not a fully vested BMW car, before progressing to proper M things. The next step up the ladder are M Competition models like the new M2 Competition. Branching out from the Competition badge is the CS grouping of “Coupe Sport” cars, with the “Lightweight” cars crowning the corporate structure.

So if you’re wondering what a CSL car could or would entail, just think of an M4 GTS and mentally change the letters. Thankfully the M Division will reserve its most coveted badge for models deserving, so no, there won’t be an X6 M CSL which should somewhat help restore your faith in humanity. This hierarchy won't automatically come with every model, just where it makes sense. E.g. "there won't ever be an X5 M CSL," the source concluded.

BMW CSL Models Set To Make Return

Looks like BMW is reviving a classic name.

Last year, BMW telegraphed a part of its future product cadence when the company made efforts to secure trademark rights to the name “CSL,” three little letters with heavy hitting significance to roundel enthusiasts. The CSL badge hasn’t graced the rear of a BMW since the M3 CSL ended production in 2004, nearly 15 years ago. Luckily, a brand spokesperson confirmed to The Drive that "CSL" will soon return in order to replace "GTS" as the company's most hardcore performance offer.

CSL is still alive, and replaces GTS on further cars which are appropriate to get a CSL version—generally speaking," outlined the spokesperson, hinting at a reorganized hierarchy of sportiness. The new scheme will start with M Performance cars like the M240i, which is hotter than it should be but still not a fully vested BMW car, before progressing to proper M things. The next step up the ladder are M Competition models like the new M2 Competition. Branching out from the Competition badge is the CS grouping of “Coupe Sport” cars, with the “Lightweight” cars crowning the corporate structure.

So if you’re wondering what a CSL car could or would entail, just think of an M4 GTS and mentally change the letters. Thankfully the M Division will reserve its most coveted badge for models deserving, so no, there won’t be an X6 M CSL which should somewhat help restore your faith in humanity. This hierarchy won't automatically come with every model, just where it makes sense. E.g. "there won't ever be an X5 M CSL," the source concluded.