BMW Unveils The 3.0 CSL Hommage R

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R (Credit: BMW)

BMW used the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach to show off its latest crazy concept vehicle, called the 3.0 CSL Hommage R. According to the German automaker, the vehicle was created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of BMW operating in North America. The car also commemorates the successful motorsports career of the BMW 3.0 CSL back in 1975.

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R (Credit: BMW)

Just a few months ago, BMW rolled out the 3.0 CSL Hommage. While some loved the imaginative design of the car, others found it repulsive and over-the-top. Still, plenty of people are holding onto the hope that BMW will take the concept and turn it into a production model, injecting some pizazz into the company’s vehicle lineup.

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R driver’s view (Credit: BMW)

With the 3.0 CSL Hommage R, one of the big changes has to do with the interior. Interestingly enough, BMW’s designers started off with creating the helmet, race suit and seat. As a result, the visor on the helmet has a type of heads-up display, projecting vital information into the driver’s view.

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R interior (Credit: BMW)

With the suit, BMW introduced a Tron-inspired feature. If the driver has both hands on the steering wheel, piping in the sleeves light up, visually representing the transfer of information from the steering column all the way to the helmet visor. The seats were designed to not only support the driver and provide protection, but also to increase the structural rigidity of the car.

There are plenty of other high-tech features in the concept racer. For example, the roll cage is made of carbon fiber and is integrated into the vehicle structure in the roof and sides. In fact, almost everything in the interior is made of carbon fiber, a material that BMW has been embracing in a huge way lately.

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R (Credit: BMW)

The wood-like trim on the instrument panel area not only warms up the interior and hearkens back to the original 3.0 CSL, it also serves an important function. Information like a track’s layout and the braking points shine through the surface. It means a traditional touchscreen display isn’t necessary.

One small exterior detail some might not catch are the little “X” that illuminates inside each light. It’s a homage to the headlight tape that was used on endurance cars back in the day.

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R headlights (Credit: BMW)