The legendary BMW 3.0 CSL made a rare auto show appearance today at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

Some history via wikipedia:

In 1973, Toine Hezemans won the European Touring Car Championship in a 3.0CSL and co-drove a 3.0CSL with Dieter Quester to a class victory at Le Mans. Hezemans and Quester had driven to second place at the 1973 German Touring Car Grand Prix at Nürburgring, being beaten only by Chris Amon and Hans-Joachim Stuck in another 3.0CSL.

3.0 CSLs would win the European Touring Car Championship again in every year from 1975 to 1979.

Initially using the same engine as the 3.0CS, the 3.0CSL was given a very small increase in displacement to 3,003 cc (183.3 cu in) by increasing the engine bore by one quarter of a millimetre. This was done in August 1972 to allow the CSL to be raced in the “over three litre” racing category, allowing for some increase in displacement in the racing cars. In 1973, the engine in the 3.0CSL was given another, more substantial increase in displacement to 3,153 cc (192.4 cu in) by increasing the stroke to 84 mm (3.3 in). This final version of the 3.0CSL was homologated in July 1973 along with an aerodynamic package including a large air dam, short fins running along the front fenders, a spoiler above and behind the trailing edge of the roof, and a tall rear wing. The rear wings were not installed at the factory, but were left in the boot for installation after purchase. This was done because the wings were illegal for use on German roads. The full aero package earned the racing CSLs the nickname “Batmobile”

Enjoy.

On the 2 Series front, BMW brought out the M235i Convertible for its auto show debut and a fully decked out M235i with M Performance Parts.

The other 6 Series LCI model making a debut at Detroit this year is a Frozen Brilliant White Gran Coupe. This color is a new optional Individual color now available for 2015+ Gran Coupes.

What does the Gran Coupe LCI feature that we haven’t already seen on the Convertible LCI model?

– Decorative surround for LED foglights (chrome on convertible and high gloss black for coupe and gran coupe)
– Revised side window surrounds at rear doors for Gran Coupe
– Chrome strip in bumper trim of Gran Coupe

The success of the 6 Series Gran Coupe can’t be denied as nearly 1 in 2 newly registered 6 Series is now a Gran Coupe model.

The 2015 BMW 6 Series receives an LCI update featuring some minor styling changes. Here are the key highlights of the LCI update.

Performance:

– Power remains 315hp for 640i, 445hp for 650i, 560hp for M6
– Sports exhaust system now included on 640i models
– Reduction in fuel consumption/emissions (i.e. 640i now burns 0.2 liters less fuel per 100km than before)

Exterior:

– New front apron with single lower air intake styling
– Decorative surround for LED foglights (chrome on convertible and high gloss black for coupe and gran coupe)
– Larger kidney grille openings
– 9 kidney grille bars (reduced from 10)
– Newly contoured kidney grille bars (aluminum matte on 650i and black on 640i)
– Newly shaped angel eye / corona rings
– Low beam light emitted from two upper reflectors
– High beam light emitted from two lower reflectors
– Light reflectors now integrated into accent strip at top of headlights
– Newly styled side mirrors
– Side indicators now integrated into side mirrors
– Revised side window surrounds at rear doors for Gran Coupe
– Chrome strip in bumper trim of Gran Coupe
– Larger tailpipe surrounds for 6 cylinder models (now 90mm, from previous 80mm)
– Newly designed 20” wheels
– New exterior colors: Jatoba metallic, Cashmere Silver metallic, Glacier Silver metallic, Mediterranean Blue metallic and Melbourne Red metallic
– Nearly 1 in 2 newly registered 6 Series is now a Gran Coupe model

Interior:

– High gloss black center console
– Chrome surround on iDrive screen
– LED illumination of footwells, door exits, glove compartment
– Bi-color leather available in Ivory White/Black and Cognac/Black
– Finalize Brown Wood now available as interior trim

Black Accent Package:
– Kidney grilles in high gloss black
– Shadow Line window trim (gloss black)
– Exhaust tail pip tips in high gloss black
– 19” bi-color wheels in exclusive design
– Interior in new Cognac/Black nappa leather
– Finalize Brown Wood interior trim

M Sport Edition:
– Combines content of Executive Package and M Sport Package
– Blends sporty features such as 20” M wheels, M Sport steering wheel and M aero parts with luxury of leather dashboard, ventilated front seats, contrast stitching and soft-close doors.

BMW Individual:
– New Frozen Brilliant White matte color now available

The center of attention at this year’s BMW’s Detroit auto show display is the 2015 BMW 6 Series and M6. While the LCI 6 Series features some minor refreshed styling, the M6 gets only new, standard-fitted LED headlights.

The M6 on display is eye catching nonetheless. Presented in Austin Yellow for the first time, this is a one-off M6 to showcase what’s possible with BMW Individual and doesn’t signal that Austin Yellow will become a standard or factory Individual color available for the M6. Of course, you could always order the M6 in Austin Yellow (or any color you desire) for about 5 grand.

The color is beautiful on the M6 as it compliments the gold M carbon ceramic brakes and contrasts against the black wheels, carbon fiber mirrors, and carbon fiber tips of the M Performance Exhaust. The yellow theme continues inside with abundant yellow stitching throughout the interior.