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The MINI JCW Challenge, or just plain Challenge, is a direct derivative from the road going R56 MINI John Cooper Works road going version aka JCW.
Now, lets talk about the JCW first. Its a hardcore version of the new R56 MINI Cooper S.It sports stronger engine internals, an uprated turbo charger and a lower compression ratio. Accompanying the 211hp is the JCW Body kit. It also comes equipped with a 6 speed manual transmission with an Electronic Differential Lock Control which functions like an LSD. Apart from that, the suspension and interior remain the same with a normal Cooper S.
The Challenge sports the same engine with the same 211hp output, but that's where the similarities end and the racy bits begin. From ground up, it has special width rims to accommodate the race slicks, AP Racing 6-piston race calipers with floating 2-piece rotor, KW height and damping adjustable race suspension, a weld-in roll cage, Krontec Air jacks for easy tire changes, Recaro HANS full race shell with a 6-point Schroth racing harness, 2D Dash display and a racing LSD to provide the front wheels with as much traction as they can handle.
BMW made a limited run (less than 1,400 units) of the M3 CSL (E46) machines between June and December 2003. The CSL (Coupe Sport Lightweight) received an aggressive weight reduction campaign, more power (up to 380 hp), and sharper handling characteristics than the standard M3, courtesy of larger anti-roll bars, stiffer spring rates, and semi-slick racing compound tires (Michelin Pilot Sport Cups). From the exterior, the CSL is distinguished from its standard sibling with a different wheel design, larger integrated rear spoiler and a large air intake hole on the left side of the front bumper. Weight loss was achieved through use of a carbon-fiber roof, trunk lid made of sheet molding compound, lighter exhaust manifold, thinner rear glass, carbon fiber front bumper, rear diffuser, interior door panels and console, lightweight racing seats, removed sound insulation, and the removal of side air bags. The M3 CSL's engine differs from the M3 with different camshafts, carbon-fiber intake manifold and alpha-N engine management. Several other features available in a regular M3 as standard such as air conditioning and radio were also deleted, although these options could be added at the request of the owner. SMG II sequential manual gearbox was made standard. Owing to the small production run and the complications and expense of clearing DOT and EPA standards for the North American market, BMW never exported the CSL to the United States, although some parts from it were later made available on the regular M3 as part of an optional Competition Package.
While the CSL was comparable in performance to the Ferrari 360 at half the price, this version of the M3 is often criticized as being too racing-oriented and significantly more expensive than the standard model. With its design so highly focused on weight loss the CSL became less of the "every day car" that the M3 is known for. Another criticism was the unavailability of a manual gearbox as some purists did not find the SMG as satisfying as a traditional stick-shift. Aftermarket tuners like AC Schnitzer have also tweaked regular M3s to perform like the CSL, but at a much lower cost.
General specifications | |
Country of origin | Germany |
Numbers built | 1111 |
Produced from | 2003 - 2004 |
Introduced at | 2003 Geneva Motorshow |
Engine | |
Configuration | Straight 6 |
Location | Front, longitudinally mounted |
Displacement | 3.246 liter / 198.1 cu in |
Bore / Stroke | 87.0 mm (3.4 in) / 91.0 mm (3.6 in) |
Compression | 11.5:1 |
Valvetrain | 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC |
Fuel feed | MSS 54HP Fuel injection |
Aspiration | Naturally Aspirated |
Drivetrain | |
Chassis/body | unitary steel |
Front suspension | single-joint spring strut axle with displaced castor, small positive steering roll radius, compensation of transverse forces, anti-dive |
Rear suspension | central-arm axle with longitudinal control arms and double track control arms, anti-squat and anti-dive |
Steering | rack-and-pinion |
Brakes | vented discs, all-round, ABS |
Gearbox | 6 speed Sequential |
Drive | Rear wheel drive |
Dimensions | |
Weight | 1385 kilo / 3053.4 lbs |
Length / Width / Height | 4492 mm (176.9 in) / 1780 mm (70.1 in) / 1365 mm (53.7 in) |
Wheelbase / Track (fr/r) | 2729 mm (107.4 in) / 1518 mm (59.8 in) / 1525 mm (60 in) |
Performance figures | |
Power | 360 bhp / 269 KW @ 7900 rpm |
Torque | 370 Nm / 273 ft lbs @ 4900 rpm |
BHP/Liter | 111 bhp / liter |
Power to weight | 0.26 bhp / kg |
Top Speed | 250 km/h / 155 mph |
0-60 mph | 4.8 s |