BMW pays tribute to the iconic 3.0 CSL

BMW Group has just shown us its new BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage. This is the model by the BMW Design Team’s tribute to the 3.0 CSL from the 1970s, but we feel it is not a good effort. The term “CSL” stands for “Coupe Sport Leichtbau” (coupe, sport, lightweight). If you want to pay tribute to a great car, at least design it the part. However looks aside it does stand up to its name.

The bonnet, boot and wings are made of aluminium and the equipment has been stripped down to bare basics. When the old BMW 3.0 CSL came out, it was nearly 200kg lighter than the BMW 3.0 CS. The old car used a lot of aluminium to stay light. But now the use of carbon fibre or carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) enables engineers to shave off further more fat and stronger weight-to-strength ratio. These high-strength fibres are even lighter and stronger than aluminium.

“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,” states Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President, BMW Group Design. “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 says, summarising the approach the design team took with the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage. 

As for styling, BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage has an elongated body set off by distinctive air deflectors, powerful wheel arches and prominent spoilers to the roof and tail. But as far as appeal is concerned, it’s just too much styling for something that is based on lightness and simplicity. And joy of joy the famous baby diarrhoea colour is back on the new CSL, which BMW calls Golf Yellow. If you don’t believe me, just look at its predecessor standing alongside!