And if the BMW M2, criticized for its sometimes boxy lines, suddenly became an icon of the 1970s? That’s exactly the idea behind a small Italian outfit, Riverti Automobili, which has set its sights on the Bavarian compact. Their project is simple. Recarrosser the latest BMW M2 G87 to create a faithful homage to the 70s race coupes. In the early photos, the sport compact almost vanishes under oversized, bodybuilder-like fenders. A massive rear wing already signals the wink to the homologation machines of yesteryear.
Riverti doesn’t draw inspiration from just any model. In the 70s, BMW launched the coupé 3.0 CSL. It was an extreme homologation version of the mild E9, designed to dominate the touring championships. With its wild aero kit, the 3.0 CSL earned the nickname “Batmobile,” Car and Driver notes. It is that long, streamlined silhouette, with its long hood, that the Italian wants to revive. The gigantic wing was even provided in the trunk back then, because it wasn’t homologated for road use in Germany. On the forthcoming BMW M2 Riverti 3.0 CSL, the recipe remains the same. A modern, high-performance base gets the retro race-car costume, with a promise that will intrigue enthusiasts.
Riverti Automobili transforms the BMW M2 into a 1970s 3.0 CSL
Technically, Riverti doesn’t touch the core of the car. The base remains the current BMW M2 platform. Under the hood, the inline-6 3.0-liter twin-turbo stays in place, with a rear-wheel-drive layout. In the stock M2, it already delivers roughly 473 to 480 hp and 600 Nm. More than enough to deliver explosive performance, which Riverti seems keen to preserve. All the work centers on the body.
The Italian coachbuilder replaces the original panels with a widened carbon-fiber shell, in the mold of a true Coupe Sport Leichtbau. The front end adopts the low snout and the four headlights of the 3.0 CSL coupe. At the rear, the squared volumes recall the BMW 2002 Turbo race car, with cut-out fenders and a pronounced spoiler. The choice of the BMW M2 G87 as a base is no accident. In terms of size, the compact is much closer to the original E9 coupe. The 3.0 CSL measured about 4.66 m long, 1.73 m wide, and a 2.62 m wheelbase. The M2 clocks in at roughly 4.57 m long, about 1.89 m wide. Its wheelbase sits around 2.75 m, giving it a stumpier stance than the CSL of the era.
BMW M2 mechanics, mystery around the Riverti 3.0 CSL project
BMW has already paid homage in 2023 with a modern 3.0 CSL derived from the M4. Produced in only 50 units, it carried a price tag around $750,000, or about €700,000. Its M4-sized footprint and the sky-high price made it largely a collector’s item rather than a practical track toy. Riverti, by contrast, is counting on a smaller M2, deemed more coherent for recapturing the CSL spirit of the 70s. On the mechanical side, the numbers we know come from the stock M2. Its S58 inline-six develops nearly 480 hp and 600 Nm. A six-speed manual remains on the catalog, keeping true to the 1970s vibe.
Riverti Automobili, however, offers no word on a potential power boost. The coachbuilder also doesn’t specify whether the carbon shell will noticeably reduce weight. No specifics are provided on that front. One thing is certain: a re-bodied M2 is already on the road. It was spotted at an Italian hill climb event, Tutto Benne, proof that the project extends beyond digital renderings. The company has yet to reveal how many units it plans, which markets it will target, or when it might reach customers. The question of price remains especially sensitive for this kind of coachbuilt project. BMW helped set the benchmark with its 3.0 CSL based on the M4, a model listed at around $750k. There is no official price accompanying the Riverti project yet. All indications are that this very special M2 will sit far outside the realm of a mass-production sportscar. Riverti also does not discuss any potential limited edition or on-demand production. If this reinterpretation of the BMW M2 Riverti 3.0 CSL finds its audience, other ideas could follow. Some already mention, for example, an M2 redone in the style of the E30 M3. The small, modern M2 clearly fuels nostalgia among competition enthusiasts, and Riverti plans to ride that retro wave.
