The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage a tribute to the original BMW 3.0 CSL from the 1970s has been revealed at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

A TRIBUTE TO THE 3.0 CSL of the 1970s, BMW’s assistant design boss Adrian van Hooydonk said: “Our Hommage cars not only demonstrate how proud we are of our heritage, but also how important the past can be in determining our future. 

“The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage represents a nod to the engineering achievement exemplified by the BMW 3.0 CSL in its lightweight design and performance. 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,” he said.

The 3.0 CSL (and CSL stands for Coupé Sport Leichtbau, or coupé, sport, lightweight). It had an aluminium bonnet, boot lid and wings, plexiglass windows and a stripped-back interior. This new Hommage utilises carbon fibre reinforced plastic. The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage makes generous use of the high-tech composite, reinterpreting the concept of lightweight design for the modern age, BMW said.

BMW design boss, Karim Habib, said: “For BMW designers like us, the BMW 3.0 CSL is a style icon. Its combination of racing genes and elegance generates an engaging aesthetic that continues to win hearts even today. The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage celebrates many of those characteristic features, but without copying them. Indeed, some of the parallels are not immediately obvious. We wanted people to sense the family resemblance rather than see it straight off.”

Here’s how BMW describes the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage: “the elongated body is set off by distinctive air deflectors, powerful wheel arches and prominent spoilers to the roof and tail. Despite its size, the aerodynamic elements are key in enabling air to flow optimally along the sides of the vehicle. The front air deflector serves to vent the engine compartment, while wings over the rear wheels ensure optimum airflow around the vehicle. Small rear-view cameras serve to further reduce aerodynamic drag. The large rear spoiler increases downforce on the driven rear axle and in so doing improves power transmission. The Air Curtain and Air Breather systems guarantee optimum ventilation of the wheel housings. And the sheer self-confidence and sporting prowess of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage are perfectly summed up in the original colour of its spiritual predecessor – Golf Yellow”. We say it looks cool but not as cool as the original. Sorry.

Inside, the minimalist and functional design continues with the 3.0 CSL Hommage getting two bucket seats with six-point racing harnesses, nozzles for “extinguishing foam”, a central eBoost charging display set into a wood-look panel.

BMW didn’t talk about the engine, saying on that it’s a “powerful six-cylinder in-line engine with eBoost technology”.

What do you think, does it do the original car justice?