MUNICH: The new BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage – the CSL has finally broken cover to pay tribute to the classic and iconic BMW Coupe from the 1970s.

In the past the material of choice was aluminium, but today it’s carbon fibre or carbon fibre reinforced plastic for the Coupé Sport Leichtbau (CSL - Coupé Sport Lightweight) Hommage.

BMW Design head Karim Habib explained that the Hommage gets an elongated body with uniquely positioned air deflectors, wide wheel arches spoilers for the roof and tail – just like the first CSL, and provides an optimal airflow along side the vehicle.

The front air deflector serves to vent the engine bay, while wings over the rear wheels ensure optimum airflow around the vehicle.

Small rear-view cameras are used to reduce aerodynamic drag, while a large rear spoiler provides down-force for the rear-driven axle.

According to Habib, the Hommage is recognizable through its resemblance to the original CSL.

The Air Curtain and Air Breather systems provide ventilation for the wheel housings. And the sheer self-confidence and sporting prowess of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage are perfectly summed up in the

While dressed in the original colour of its spiritual predecessor – Golf Yellow, the Hommage boasts of having one of the broadest and lowest front ends of any vehicle in BMW’s stable.

There’s no mention of a confirmed engine for the Hommage, only that it’ll have one a ‘powerful in-line six-cylinder with eBoost

The front end features a carbon-fibre front splitter and laser light with LED technology which possesses a stylised “X” inside them to divide the lighting functions – paying tribute to the X-shaped headlamp stickers once used in long-distance racing.

The Hommage rolls on black 21-inch alloy wheels in matt and high-gloss bi-colour versions with air control blades and the rear-end features an LED strip above the spoiler and a CFRP diffuser.

Inside, it’s an all-CFRP minimalist cabin, with the only exception being the wood-like instrument panel – a clear reference to the interior of the earlier BMW 3.0 CSL, which featured an all-round wood trim throughout the interior.

Now, the small central eBoost charging display interrupts the wooden instrument panel and a central display on the steering column visually informs the driver of the current gear, speed, revs and shift point.

Other racing features include bucket seats with high-quality stitching, a six-point belt and red anodised safety features such as the outlet nozzles for the extinguishing foam, the fire extinguisher itself, and the two switches on the centre console for the emergency shut-off and fire extinguishing mechanism.

The only elements in the rear of the vehicle are two helmets integrated into the transmission tunnel that are held in place by a belt when not in use.

In the place of a rear seat bench, there are only covers for the eBoost energy accumulators and a special reflector technology in combination with LED strips help create a 3D effect on the covers.

DTM-style pull straps are used as door openers as was the handle-integrated opener of the earlier 3.0 CSL, resulting in the hybrid solution of a nylon pull strap located directly behind the grab handle in the door.

“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,” said BMW Group Design senior vice president Adrian van Hooydonk.

 

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