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BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

BMW is to debut the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R at The Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach.

The car that celebrates both the 40th anniversary of BMW in North America and the racing success of the original 3.0 CSL in the 1975 IMSA series where BMW recorded its first win at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

This was followed by a succession of victories, culminating in the white 3.0 CSL securing the manufacturers' championship at the first attempt.

The Hommage designers focused their attention on the driver and his immediate surroundings. This new approach led them first to the
driver's helmet, race suit and seat before moving onto the lines and surfaces of the interior. 

As the layer of interaction closest to the driver, the helmet visor assumes the functions of the head up display and projects situation-
based information such as the car's speed, gear engaged and engine revs into the driver's direct field of view. 

The driver's race suit (a classical design by Puma) expresses the connection between the driver and the car so that If both the driver's hands are on the wheel, illuminated piping integrated into the sleeves shows the progress of information - from the shift impulse display, for example - out of the steering column over the driver's arms and into his visor. 

The side-section design of the large carbon-fibre seat shells reflects the anatomy of the seated driver for maximum support. 
A carbon-fibre roll cage integrated into the structure of the car's roof and side sections forms the basis for the interior's singularly minimalist geometry. 

The only "comfort" functions are the two vents on the sides of the steering column, which supply the driver with fresh air at ambient temperature. A small display provides the driver with secondary information such as lap times, overall race time and the car's current track position, as required. 

Other racing elements in the interior include red anodised safety features, such as the outlet nozzles for the fire extinguishing foam, the extinguisher itself, and the two switches on the centre console for the emergency shut-off and fire extinguishing mechanism. 

The exterior design of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R is framed by distinctive air deflectors, powerful wheel arches and a prominent rear spoiler, which reference the IMSA racing version of the original 3.0 CSL. 

The colours and graphics used and details such as the "Bavarian Motor Works" decals on the windscreen and rear window are also a nod to the 1975 racer.

The low, wide front end features a large version of the signature BMW kidney grille, while the surfaces and graphic accents in the front apron showcase the wheels and emphasise its broad, powerful stance. 

The long wheelbase and sweeping bonnet stretch the silhouette visually, while dark carbon-fibre surfaces contrast with the Brilliant White metallic paintwork.

At the rear a huge spoiler and carbon-fibre double diffuser combine with a contoured rear apron which draws the eye to the matt gold 21-inch light-alloy wheels with black inlays.

A strip of LEDs extend along the spoiler to link the two lights and provide a stylistic border for the rear end.