Automotive

BMW pays "Hommage" to the 3.0 CSL

BMW pays "Hommage" to the 3.0 CSL
BMW has channeled the past to create the 3.0 CSL Hommage
BMW has channeled the past to create the 3.0 CSL Hommage
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The Hommage's cabin has been designed with racing in mind
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The Hommage's cabin has been designed with racing in mind
The car's instrument binnacle is thoroughly modern
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The car's instrument binnacle is thoroughly modern
The CSL's rear wing has been adapted to the 21st century
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The CSL's rear wing has been adapted to the 21st century
The Hommage's headlamps are a combination of laser and LED technology
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The Hommage's headlamps are a combination of laser and LED technology
The BMW badge at the back of the car's windowline is a clear link to the 1970s CSL
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The BMW badge at the back of the car's windowline is a clear link to the 1970s CSL
BMW's designers have attempted to capture the simple, elegant design theme of the original
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BMW's designers have attempted to capture the simple, elegant design theme of the original
The car takes advantage of CFRP for light weight and strength
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The car takes advantage of CFRP for light weight and strength
The CSL's diffuser is also made of carbon fiber
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The CSL's diffuser is also made of carbon fiber
BMW has aimed to capture the spirit of the 3.0 CSL from the 1970s with its Hommage
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BMW has aimed to capture the spirit of the 3.0 CSL from the 1970s with its Hommage
The car's profile is undoubtedly its best angle
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The car's profile is undoubtedly its best angle
All the CFRP on the car has been left unpainted
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All the CFRP on the car has been left unpainted
The wood in the cabin was conceived as a reference to the original CSL's interior
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The wood in the cabin was conceived as a reference to the original CSL's interior
Six point harnesses are a hint at the CSL's race focus
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Six point harnesses are a hint at the CSL's race focus
While plexiglass and aluminum were the materials BMW used to lighten the original, technology has moved on
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While plexiglass and aluminum were the materials BMW used to lighten the original, technology has moved on
The Hommage with its inspiration
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The Hommage with its inspiration
The CSL looks bloated from the front
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The CSL looks bloated from the front
The huge kidney grille is designed to be a throwback to the slim, vertical grilles on old BMWs
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The huge kidney grille is designed to be a throwback to the slim, vertical grilles on old BMWs
The Hommage's rear apron is CFRP
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The Hommage's rear apron is CFRP
BMW unveiled the CSL at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
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BMW unveiled the CSL at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The CSL won't see production in its current state
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The CSL won't see production in its current state
BMW has channeled the past to create the 3.0 CSL Hommage
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BMW has channeled the past to create the 3.0 CSL Hommage
View gallery - 21 images

BMW has taken the wraps off a tribute to its legendary 3.0 CSL at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The 3.0 CSL Hommage is an attempt to recreate the magic of the classic coupe using modern lightweight materials and some very un-1970s technology and styling.

In keeping with the focus of CSL models past, the Hommage has been made as light as possible. Whereas the 3.0 CSL of the 1970's was made lighter with an aluminum roof, aluminum wings and plexiglass wings, BMW's modern interpretation is all about carbon fiber reinforced plastic, which has been chosen for both it's light weight and excellent strength.

The Hommage with its inspiration
The Hommage with its inspiration

BMW has shown its commitment to using CFRP on recent releases such as the M4, and just in case you weren't aware of where the lightweight weave has been used on the Hommage, the car's carbon bits have been left exposed.

BMW says the car's kidney grille has been designed to hark back to the more vertical design that characterized its cars of the 1970's, but to our eyes it's just too big. Combine that with the bloated front wheel arches and slim laser/LED headlamps and you've got a face that seems a long way from the gorgeous simplicity of its older brother.

The car's profile is undoubtedly its best angle
The car's profile is undoubtedly its best angle

The Hommage's flanks are one of its strongest design points, with the clean, simple design proving one of the clearest connections with the 3.0 CSL that inspired it. The use of dark materials on the flanks is designed to have the effect of visually lowering the car, while the BMW badge and shape of the window line also have been plucked from the classic car and thrust into the 21st century.

At the rear, the 3.0 CSL's massive rear spoiler has been reinterpreted to include a broad LED strip that links the two sinuous taillights, part of BMW's plan to create an illusion of width with horizontal lines. Also accentuating the Hommage's width is the carbon fiber rear diffuser, which sits within the bulbous CFRP rear apron.

Inside, carbon fiber is the dominant material, although the wooden strip running across the dash is a throwback to the 3.0 CSL's wood-trimmed interior. Housed in that dash is an electronic readout, which gives information about the car's eBoost charge levels, while a steering column mounted screen provides information about speed, revs, shift points and gear position.

Six point harnesses are a hint at the CSL's race focus
Six point harnesses are a hint at the CSL's race focus

Just as the original 3.0 CSL was closely connected to the track, the Hommage's interior takes advantage of race buckets and six point harnesses, as well as a fire extinguisher system and emergency shut off system. BMW has also strapped a pair of helmets to the transmission tunnel behind the seats to continue the racing theme.

BMW says the inline six hiding under the hood is backed up by an eBoost system, although it doesn't give details about how the system works.

The CSL 3.0 Hommage was unveiled at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of lake Como in Italy, the same place it took the wraps off the stunning Zagato Coupe back in 2012.

Source: BMW

View gallery - 21 images
5 comments
5 comments
Stephen N Russell
produce this, Id drive this, rent this.
ChottoBaka
Contrived and bloated. A far cry from the purposeful original.
JimColby
NO!!! Emphatically NO!!! That rendition destroys the 3's heritage. I refuse to show this to my 3CSL because it would break down in oily tears.
Reece Agland
Just looks bloated was really looking forward to new interpretation of CSL but to my mind this is not it.
Peter Andrews
Scott I have to say the the kidney grill is growing on me. The car is pure C21st! Some of the um holes? in the body work look different too, but would be a panel beaters nightmare. The insurance would be a small fortune too. But it is a striking car. Conservative is not a word that springs to mind. I remember when the original 3 was launched, yep I am THAT old. It was considered confrontational. So at least they have kept that aspect of the car. Would I buy one? Bloody oath mate!