Re; CS ...Was ist das ?

66toaster

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I had my '73 at a show today & a guy walks up & asked me what does the CS indicate? Well, after all my years with BMWs & 12 years with my 3.0 CS, I did not know.
 
Not right. CS means "Coupé Super". The "Super" addendum for stronger or sometimes only cooler models has a long tradition amongst BMW, Porsche, Alfa Romeo or Ferrari, to name but a few.
BMW even intended to name the first 3 litre E3 "3000 Super" but turned to the more modern "3.0 S" before unveiling the model.
The 3.0 CSL is "Coupé Super Leicht". The word "Sportlicht" does not exist; it would mean a light, torch maybe, or lighting for sports.
Confusingly, the L means not only "Leicht" (E9) but also "Long" (E3). The script 3.0 L accordingly says "3 Litre Long".

The meaning of the S seems to be a great unknown on both sides of the Atlantic, so never mind.
 
Not right. CS means "Coupé Super". The "Super" addendum for stronger or sometimes only cooler models has a long tradition amongst BMW, Porsche, Alfa Romeo or Ferrari, to name but a few.
BMW even intended to name the first 3 litre E3 "3000 Super" but turned to the more modern "3.0 S" before unveiling the model.
The 3.0 CSL is "Coupé Super Leicht". The word "Sportlicht" does not exist; it would mean a light, torch maybe, or lighting for sports.
Confusingly, the L means not only "Leicht" (E9) but also "Long" (E3). The script 3.0 L accordingly says "3 Litre Long".

The meaning of the S seems to be a great unknown on both sides of the Atlantic, so never mind.
Very interesting, never knew that. So the Mercedes SL doesn't stand for "Sport Licht"?
 
The nomenclature for the cars I grew up with is that the more letters the better, with some intuitive associations:

C = Coupe = 2 door, angled rear windshield, not a family car
S = Sport, peppy engine, good handling, not a family car, not frugal
SE = Sedan, 4 door, comfortable interior, family car
SL = Super Lujo in Spanish, focus is on impressing by being lavish
D = Diesel, utilitarian for taxis or heavy duty use (torque, longevity)
E = Economy or Electric, could be fuel economy or El Cheapo trim cost reduction
A = Automatic
I = Fuel injected
X = 4 wheel drive
L = Luxury, Light, Long unclear which
no letter = entry level, or the badge fell...
 
In the 80th, the E also means also injection.
As example the GTE (Opel, a former GM brand)
But that changed in the 90th
Gran turismo Einspritzer.
Was Italien and German language.

Breiti
 
In the 80th, the E also means also injection.
As example the GTE (Opel, a former GM brand)
But that changed in the 90th
Gran turismo Einspritzer.
Was Italien and German language.

Breiti
but Golf was GTI

Not right. CS means "Coupé Super". The "Super" addendum for stronger or sometimes only cooler models has a long tradition amongst BMW, Porsche, Alfa Romeo or Ferrari, to name but a few.
BMW even intended to name the first 3 litre E3 "3000 Super" but turned to the more modern "3.0 S" before unveiling the model.
The 3.0 CSL is "Coupé Super Leicht". The word "Sportlicht" does not exist; it would mean a light, torch maybe, or lighting for sports.
Confusingly, the L means not only "Leicht" (E9) but also "Long" (E3). The script 3.0 L accordingly says "3 Litre Long".

The meaning of the S seems to be a great unknown on both sides of the Atlantic, so never mind.

never read that,
you should present some solid argument on this

coupe sport is the extended opinion:
1716290681066.png



@Christoph
i would like to believe you
do you have any document that proves it ? i.e. a german advert form the date ?

very interesting though
 
Not right. CS means "Coupé Super". The "Super" addendum for stronger or sometimes only cooler models has a long tradition amongst BMW, Porsche, Alfa Romeo or Ferrari, to name but a few.
BMW even intended to name the first 3 litre E3 "3000 Super" but turned to the more modern "3.0 S" before unveiling the model.
The 3.0 CSL is "Coupé Super Leicht". The word "Sportlicht" does not exist; it would mean a light, torch maybe, or lighting for sports.
Confusingly, the L means not only "Leicht" (E9) but also "Long" (E3). The script 3.0 L accordingly says "3 Litre Long".

The meaning of the S seems to be a great unknown on both sides of the Atlantic, so never mind.
One might get away with this at a Cars and Coffee standing next to a Chevy Camaro. But certainly not in this E9 Forum.
You had me for one second. Until you mentioned Ferrari. The "S'' in Ferrari nomenclature is for Spyder, not Super. In regards to BMW, the S in CS stands for Sport.
Here is my source:
 

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One might get away with this at a Cars and Coffee standing next to a Chevy Camaro. But certainly not in this E9 Forum.
You had me for one second. Until you mentioned Ferrari. The "S'' in Ferrari nomenclature is for Spyder, not Super. In regards to BMW, the S in CS stands for Sport.
Here is my source:

Auto names, including initials, may not always have an obvious reference. For example, it is commonly understood that Chevrolet's Camaro "Z28" traces its origin to a special option code. Similarly, the Porsche model 911 was originally designated the 901 but for Peugeot's reported precedential use of model names formed by three numbers with a "0" in the middle.

Christoph and PaulC’s sources are fairly compelling that the “cs” is an acronym for "coupe sport." This notion seems bolstered by BMW’s history of using the coupe and coupe sport designation for various models, including the 700 and the 1800. (See attachments) Regarding the apparent Super-Sport conundrum, common usage suggests "Sport" is a "Superior" or super designation, the point being that contextually, they seem somewhat synonymous, or perhaps repetitious as in "Super Sports". ;)



The best seller among the Neue Klasse models was the BMW 1800. Back then the cars were built to specific requirements by varying the engine capacity and power, as well as customizing the range of features and creating sporty versions. This level of variation was made possible by the modular assembly system, which is now standard in automotive assembly. Good examples of this are the Coupe variants, BMW 2000 C, CA, and CS, which were launched in 1965. Altogether, around 14,000 customers signed a contract to purchase a Coupe. https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/the-neue-klasse-from-bmw.html/index


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Oh my, what an interesting subject and discussion. After reading everything above, I don't know how to answer the question of what the S stands for. I don't put it past an American marketer (someone in Max Hoffman's outfit) to define (or re-define) the letters to suit their sales goals. It would be worthwhile knowing what the actual manufacturer's data states contemporaneously. Although, frankly, that could have been the manufacturer's marketing department, too. But at least it would be an origin source.

Watching with interest for the white papers dug up from Munich some 57 years ago.
 
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Oh my. There is a German saying "Viel Feind - viel Ehr'", roughly translated "Lots of enemies - lots of honour". I feel very honoured.

Those of you who ask for a source: I should have presented one but cannot, at least at the moment. It is true, a trustworthy scientist never appears without valid sources. Maybe I'll find things, maybe not. You certainly don't have to trust me just because I am a German.
qica66941-2K0M2gZ4KK-og.jpg
 
Auto names, including initials, may not always have an obvious reference. For example, it is commonly understood that Chevrolet's Camaro "Z28" traces its origin to a special option code. Similarly, the Porsche model 911 was originally designated the 901 but for Peugeot's reported precedential use of model names formed by three numbers with a "0" in the middle. PaulC’s source seems fairly compelling that the “cs” is an acronym for coupe sport. This notion seems bolstered by BMW’s history of using the coupe and coupe sport designation for numerous models, including the 700 and the 1800. (See attachments)






View attachment 182913
I love this image of the restored car at the BMW Welt for the new car delivery experience. Take a look at the original fiberboard front valance under the radiator. It dangling so low. It is no wonder this part never survived.
 
I love this image of the restored car at the BMW Welt for the new car delivery experience. Take a look at the original fiberboard front valance under the radiator. It dangling so low. It is no wonder this part never survived.
Fiberboard lasts longer if kept in a climate controlled facility. Two images presumably taken in Munchen. Coincidence?o_O
 

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Oh my. There is a German saying "Viel Feind - viel Ehr'", roughly translated "Lots of enemies - lots of honour". I feel very honoured.

Those of you who ask for a source: I should have presented one but cannot, at least at the moment. It is true, a trustworthy scientist never appears without valid sources. Maybe I'll find things, maybe not. You certainly don't have to trust me just because I am a German.
No worries, I use the British escape phrase: "My opinion is based on two elements, ignorance and little else :)."
 
Oh my. There is a German saying "Viel Feind - viel Ehr'", roughly translated "Lots of enemies - lots of honour". I feel very honoured.

Those of you who ask for a source: I should have presented one but cannot, at least at the moment. It is true, a trustworthy scientist never appears without valid sources. Maybe I'll find things, maybe not. You certainly don't have to trust me just because I am a German.


Dear Christoph, In my opinion, precisely because you are German we give you extra credibility,

I understand that if you were, for example, an Inuit, or a Bantusi, we would have more problems believing you intuitively. ;-)

What I don't understand is your perception of enemity. We are not raising an enmity, on the contrary we are delighted that you tell us this; It is our desire to adopt your story immediately, which leads us to ask that this be sufficiently documented.

Everyone has believed the coupe-sport story, so if there is something different and groundbreaking, we are delighted to start a global apostolate to change the world...

Don't resist, search and give us your sources

we want it, we need it,...

please
 
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