Nathan,
There goes the 'competitor'. Check this rear wing.
The CSL was the first 'normal' vehicle that had a carbon roof, carbon interior, carbon bumper, carbon intake.
It had many differences over the standard M3.
It was well-thought and engineered to make a difference.
The CSL was a pioneer in extreme 'normal' cars, that's why the press attacked it.
Did we see the GTS in any major car-show ? NO
Why ? Isn't it obvious that they were in a rush ?
It doesn't even have a different front bumper.
I know that many people will love it (maybe they will sell 50 of these) and track it.
But we are forgetting that we are in 2009 and not 2002.
Back in 2002 there were no extreme 'normal' cars like the CSL.
Competition (Mercedes black series, Audi R8, Nissan GTR) has lifted the baseline.
There are cars today like the Renault R26R (I might have the code wrong) which is a track weapon.
Was there any car with removed sound insulation, AC, radio etc etc ?
And where was BMW today ? NOWHERE.
After so much pressure, they offered as an add-on brembo brakes for 1 and 3 series (for the small engines).
Now they remembered that they can put brembo brakes in M models !!!
We consider this as extreme, when an alfa romeo mito has brembo brakes !!!