Tuesday 26th May 2015

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage revealed

BMW's latest Hommage concept shown in all its Golf Yellow and carbon glory

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If there were any lingering hopes that the BMW CSL Hommage may preview a road car of any description then BMW's press release puts paid to them. It talks of "contrapuntal elegance", "muscular athleticism" and "racing flair with a touch of class" yet nothing on the future of the car. To be expected perhaps given the previous Hommage cars but it would have been great for an exception to be made. Just this once.

Just in case lightweight intentions were in doubt

Now shown in full, the 3.0 CSL Hommage certainly lives up to the promise of that initial teaser. Beyond that ornate description there's simply a very stylish sports coupe that is unmistakably BMW. Familiar cues - the quad headlamps, kidney grille and Hofmeister kink - combine with some concept car fantasy such as the lights through the spoiler and side-exit exhausts to create a fairly spectacular end product.

Working from the front, BMW says the Hommage "exudes pure power", that the sides are "in elegant counterpoint to the marked athleticism of front and rear" and that there's a "muscular presence" to the back. It's a very serious design, in case you were in any doubt.

The Hommage adheres to the CSL ethos inside with a fiercely pared back interior or, as BMW would term it, one that "renders its racing character elegantly tangible". There's a contender for World's Ugliest Steering Wheel, fire extinguisher, cut-outs for helmets and six-point harnesses for the bucket seats. The wooden 'dash' is a reference to the old CSL.

All well and good, you may be thinking, but what's the point if there isn't a jot of relevance to BMW road cars? Well Adrian van Hooydonk says the Hommage cars "demonstrate how proud we are of our heritage, but also how important the past can be in determining our future." So there won't be a production CSL, but that statement implies it could influence some upcoming models. Fingers crossed!

 

[toys]

I had high hopes for this, but that grille is hideous! Overall proportions are good, and the back end is fab however...

[waltergti]

Fingers crossed some of these styling cues make it to the 2M CSl.

[pat_y]

Good god! Yes please.

[Fetchez la vache]

Fingers crossed all styling cues except the front make it to the 2M CSl.

[mrclav]

Love this and I say that as someone who generally doesn't like BMW styling.

[Mark-C]

Well it looks like they teased the best bit - was looking forward to this but good god that’s a mess

[Andy665]

Homage - more like sacrilege - that is hideous - was looking forward to seeing this but what a disappointment

[Podie]

Andy665 said:

Homage - more like sacrilege - that is hideous - was looking forward to seeing this but what a disappointment

Agreed. The front end is bloody awful.

[loudlashadjuster]

The back is OK - and I agree that the haunch shown in the preview is probably the best bit - but the front falls victim to the superfluous edges/intakes that blight the current M4 etc.

On that car they are relatively benign, but here (and it is a show car I suppose) they are just a bit too 'try hard' I feel. In that sense I'm reminded of the One-77 which was similarly afflicted.

I get that designers feel they need to introduce some tension/interest into their work to avoid everything becoming sleek Audi-a-likes, but wholly decorative fake intakes and grauitous creases like this only work when applied sparingly.

</expert car design critique>

[custardkid]

Like approaching an attractive lady from behind....

... only find out they have a beard

[Gun]

Disappointing, the front end looks like a gopher!

[MrTappets]

There's a very pretty car somewhere in there under all the creases and bulges, probably something about eight inches narrower. Would probably look better in a dark colour, but still... that's a naffing mess

[TaylotS2K]

Not sure about the front. Looks like Boss Nas from Star Wars. Other than that it's nice.

[Soov535]

"Hommage"

[aston addict]

As someone who dislikes the current BMW designs and believes that the e46 was the last great good looking BMW, I have to say that I really like this design.

I take the point about the front being the least successful design aspect, but it's different and I'm guessing that most of the additional cooling is required.

The side view looks stunning - and I love the nod to the original around the b and c pillars and the chrome trim.

If only they would actually make it!

[Turbobanana]

custardkid said:

Like approaching an attractive lady from behind....

... only find out they have a beard

Ah, you watched Eurovision then?

Agree on the design: looks great from the A-pillar back but I'd have the irresistible urge to drive it into a wall in the hope I might improve it.

[gigglebug]

I quite like it overall. I like the way both the front and rear wheel arches work, the wheel design, the side exit exhausts, the seats look tops and the wing looks like you would expect it too. It does look like a very angry rabbit at the front though! Haven't they tried the very elongated grills before? I can vaguely remember a grey Z3/Z4 type concept with the same sort of big tooth look, or am I imagining that??

[KTF]

How do you open the bonnet and boot as they look sealed from the pictures.

[bubney72]

The original was good looking.

[SirSquidalot]