BMW 328 Hommage unveiled
Specification | Reviews | Photos | Latest Price
| Make | BMW |
| Model | 328 Hommage |
| Concept year | 2011 |
| Production year | - |
| Engine | 3.0 litre inline 6-cylinder |
Just days after BMW celebrated the 328's 75th anniversary, the company has unveiled a commemorative concept car which is one of the most stylish and original concepts of the past couple of years. It looks like what we'd imagine the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive concept would look like were it a classic race car.
About the only thing which isn't original is the car's name. Called the 328 Hommage, the concept features a very clever blend of retro-chic details, and the latest materials and engineering. In that way, it's a little bit like the BMW Mille Miglia concept from 2006.
The BMW 328 Hommage is a purist driver's dream machine. It's light, very light, weighing in at a mere 780 kgs (1,720 lbs). Functional, thanks to its minimalist details and stripped-down racer inspired design. And fast, courtesy of a 3.0 litre inline 6-cylinder engine.
BMW's engineers were able to keep the 328 Hommage's weight to a minimum by using carbon fiber throughout the body and chassis - drawing on BMW's years of experience in using the stuff. BMW have left the carbon fiber weave exposed to underscore the construction method, and also provide a contemporary twist to the design.
The interior of the BMW 328 Hommage concept is much more futuristic than the exterior. Judging from the outside, you might expect a simple wood-rimmed steering wheel, plain aluminium dash and conventional gear stick, instead there is a cozy wraparound center console which houses a highly stylised gear selector and iDrive control knob. The steering wheel too looks modern, although it isn't cluttered with the usual array of switches and buttons often found in today's vehicles.
On the passenger side, a couple of prominent clocks and chronographs remind you of the original 328's racing past. However they're not actually clocks, they are in fact a pair of iPhones dressed up in retro clothing.
Apart from exposed carbon fiber, leather and aluminium, the designers intentionally used very few other materials. In addition, every material that has been used is also visible. Especially nice is the contrast between the technical-looking carbon fibre and the antique-finish, warm brown leather.
Overall, the design of the BMW 328 Hommage concept is one of the most evocative and exciting we've seen for a number of years. Unfortunately the chances of it going into production are just about zero. About the best you can hope for is that some of the styling details make it into the generation Z4.
ON ROAD PRICE
BMW 328 Hommage Price Is Not Available
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