Every year in August, automobile enthusiasts from all over the world gather at the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach to celebrate the fascination of the automobile among automotive treasures of days gone by and pioneering studies. This year, the BMW Group is setting a special accent with the world premiere of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R. With this car, the BMW Group is honoring the 40th anniversary of BMW in North America and at the same time the special motorsport successes of the BMW 3.0 CSL in 1975.
The new version is, so to speak, the contemporary edition of the (somewhat more civilian) study, which was already presented in yellow at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in May 2015 and also met with a great deal of enthusiasm there.
Looking back
1975 was the year in which the company founded BMW of North America, its first official sales company outside Europe. At the same time, BMW Motorsport also decided to compete in American racing for the first time, more precisely in the IMSA series, with specially built BMW 3.0 CSLs.
Just a few weeks later, BMW achieved its first historic triumph at the 12-hour race in Sebring, with Sam Posey and Hans-Joachim Stuck as the drivers. The legend surrounding the famous Sam Posey CSL took its course. This was followed by numerous successes, including at Laguna Seca, just 15 miles from Pebble Beach.
The white BMW 3.0 CSL in the distinctive BMW Motorsport design won the brand classification in its very first year of participation. Their success, coupled with the eye-catching design and the striking "Bavarian Motor Works" lettering on the sun protection films on the windshield and rear window, made the BMW brand instantly recognizable in motorsport-loving North America.
Committed to tradition
Visually, the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R now presented is reminiscent of the legendary coupé from the IMSA series, and not just in terms of its paintwork (in BMW motorsport colors). The "L" is also capitalized, lightweight construction is visible and motorsport can be experienced. A carbon roll cage integrated into the roof and side structure forms the basis for the consistently minimalist geometry. All elements in the interior are pure necessity, every part is a deliberately designed, structural or driving-relevant function. In the interior, which is made almost exclusively of carbon fiber, only the "instrument panel", a cross member and pure structural element, is implemented as a present wood veneer surface. This is a reference to a key element of the earlier BMW 3.0 CSL, in which the characteristic wood trim framed the entire interior, even in the racing version.
A particular highlight here is the additional information that shines through the wood. As a reminder of the victory at Laguna Seca in May 1975, just 15 miles from Pebble Beach, the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R shows the course of the track and braking points on the wooden strip of the instrument panel. This very high-quality, seamless presentation of information via light does not require a classic display and blends in perfectly with the minimalist interior design. Only the small charging display for the eBoost in the center of the instrument panel breaks through the continuous wooden surface. The edging of the instrument panel in the BMW Motorsport stripe design provides a colorful accent.
The consistent reduction to the essentials makes the steering column stand out. As the mechanical link between driver and vehicle, it contains all the operating and control elements. The only "comfort" functions are the two air vents on the side of the steering column, which supply the driver with fresh, untempered air. A small display on the steering column informs the driver about secondary information such as lap time, total time or current position as required. Other racing elements in the interior are the red anodized safety features such as the outlet nozzles for the extinguishing foam, the fire extinguisher itself and the two switches in the center console for the emergency stop and the fire extinguishing mechanism.
In the rear, there is only space for two helmets integrated into the center tunnel. A belt holds them in position if they are not needed. The covers for the eBoost's energy storage system are located under the longitudinal struts extending to the rear. Precisely crafted aluminum sleeves set high-quality accents at the transitions between individual structural parts. The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R demonstrates technical sophistication and formal refinement in its materials and detailed solutions.
Pure motorsport
"Inside and out, the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R is above all a mirror of its function: the exterior and interior are designed on the basis of the demands that motorsport places on the vehicle and driver: Aerodynamics and driving dynamics on the one hand, the most direct connection between driver and machine on the other. And in my opinion, this is exactly what the Hommage vehicle expresses in a very emotional way. At the same time, you can find all the details of the BMW 3.0 CSL from back then in the Hommage vehicle. Every detail can be discovered in the original form and is like a bow to the original," explains Karim Habib, Head of Design BMW Automobiles.
The exterior design of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R is pure motorsport: pronounced air deflectors, powerful wheel arches and a prominent rear spoiler frame the stretched body and at the same time quote the successful IMSA racing version of the original BMW 3.0 CSL. Every detail of the Hommage vehicle has its origins in the successful racing version from 1975, has been further developed and technically integrated into a modern design language. The color and graphic design as well as the number 25 reference the unique success story of the factory BMW 3.0 CSL in 1975. Even details such as the "Bavarian Motor Works" stickers on the front windshield and on the rear window are taken up by the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R. Lots of visible carbon emphasizes the consistent lightweight construction concept of the original model and transfers it to the present day in terms of materials.
It is a successful homage, but it also arouses desires that BMW may not want to fulfill. Many a BMW M fan would probably be only too happy to pull out their checkbook to put a BMW coupé like this in their garage, but this will probably not happen, because the study is far removed from today's production look ...
