Decades ago your www.carshowroom.com.au correspondent strapped into a racing BMW 3.0 CSL at the Brands Hatch circuit in England so it was love at first sight when we caught this all-new ‘3.0 CSL Hommage’ design study.
BMW’s star exhibit at the Concorsco d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy, as the name suggests, the ‘Hommage’ is a tribute to the original which appeared in the 1970s.
CSL stands for ‘Coupe Sport Leichtbau’ (coupe sport lightweight) and while the iconic original ran alunimium bonnet, boot and wings and Plexiglass windows, the ‘Hommage’ uses high-tech carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).
The glorious styling not only throws back to the original, it is brilliantly executed – front air deflectors double as vents for the engine and BMW’s Air Curtain and Air Breather system is employed in the stunning wheel arch flares.
At the front there is a natural departure from the 1970s design with a modern interpretation of the kidney grille and four headlights which are hallmarks of the brand.
And – BMW 3.0 CSL fans will be pleased – the ‘Hommage’ runs both roof and decklid spoilers just like the original.
Inside it’s all about lightweight but again with direct lineage to the original there are some timber highlights.
File this one under ‘W’ for ‘wow’!
