| 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.
Similar and related vehicles:
BMW Vision ConnectedDrive
BMW Mille Miglia
|
|
