BMW has unveiled the 3.0 CSL Hommage concept, a modern interpretation of the iconic 1970s sports coupe. It was unveiled at the 2015 Concorse d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
Like the original 3.0 CSL, the 3.0 CSL Hommage lives up to its ‘Coupe Sport Leichtbau’ (coupe, sport, lightweight) name by making use of oodles of carbon fibre reinforced plastic to keep the weight to a minimum.
It features a ‘Golf Yellow’ paintjob, special aerodynamic revisions to make it slice through the air, including a front air deflector, wings over the rear wheels and a large rear spoiler, as well as BMW’s trademark kidney grille, LED and laser headlamps and black 21-inch alloy wheels.
Unfortunately BMW is yet to mention specific performance, output or tech details, but there’s no doubt the 3.0 CSL Hommage will be packing a good-old fashioned beefy petrol engine complimented by a more modern electrical boost to further improve performance.
The interior includes only what is deemed absolutely necessary and is made from yet more carbon fibre reinforced plastic to continue the theme of saving weight, with a bit of wood for the dashboard and an eBoost charging display breaking things up a bit.
There is also a central display on the steering column to keep the driver abreast of the current gear, speed, revs and when to shift. It’s all very minimal, modern and race-inspired.
BMW senior vice president Adrian Van Hooydonk said: With intelligent lightweight construction and modern materials, the 3.0 CSL Hommage brings the character of that earlier model into the 21st century, showing it in a new and exciting guise.”
BMW design head Karim Habib added: “For BMW designers like us, the BMW 3.0 CSL is a style icon. Its combination of racing genes and elegance generates an engaging aesthetic that continues to win hearts even today.
“The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage celebrates many of those characteristic features, but without copying them. Indeed, some of the parallels are not immediately obvious. We wanted people to sense the family resemblance rather than see it straight off.”
If you’re wondering whether a production car could happen, there’s good and bad news. The 2008 M1 Hommage never saw the light of day and neither did the 2011 328 Hommage. However the stunning Mini Superleggera from 2014 is coming, so there’s a glimmer of hope the CSL 3.0 Hommage will follow suit.
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