The BMW New Sixes were a line of luxury six-cylinder automobiles produced 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 motorsport. 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)
* 2800/2.8, 2800CS (2769 cc, 170 PS)
* 3.0S, 3.0CS (2966 cc, 180 PS using twin Zenith 35/40 INAT carburetors)
* 3.0Si, 3.0Li, 3.0CSi (2966 cc, 200 or 195 PS, depending whether Bosch D-Jetronic or L-Jetronic was installed)
* 3.3Li (3188 cc, 200 PS)
The 2500 and 2800 sedans were sold in the USA as the Bavaria, a name which some enthusiasts apply to the whole range. The New Sixes are the direct ancestors of the now-familiar 7-Series.
[] Sedans (E3)
The two initial models, introduced in 1968 and sold through 1977, were the 2.5 L 2500 and 2.8 L 2800. The Bavaria used the 2.8 L engine with some interior features stripped out for a price point well-below the 2500. In the US market, the pricing of the line ranged from US$5,000 for the Bavaria to $6,874 for the full-featured 2800.
They were roomy 6-cylinder cars that handled well and impressed contemporary reviewers. Road & Track called the Bavaria "delightful" and "superb", concluding that it was "one of the world's best buys". The big-bore 3.0S was introduced in 1971. It was more powerful and expensive than the 2800; a fuel-injected version was also made. Also produced were long-wheelbase L models (3.0L, 3.3Li, etc.), whose sharp handling was a stark contrast to the large Mercedes-Benz models of the time. Langley Motors in Thames Ditton UK also produced an estate (tourer) version.
The E23 BMW 7-series was nearly offered with a 96-horsepower 1.6 liter four-cylinder as its base engine. Despite the objections of the engineers, marketing still believed the 3500-lb car would be successful. BMW engineers, however, convinced them otherwise by staging a series of drag races with a Volkswagen, which the 716i lost.
[] Coupés (E9)
BMW E9
BMW 3.0 CSL
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. 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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