2011 BMW 328 Hommage news, pictures, and information

The expressive exterior design of the BMW 328 Hommage depicts the modern interpretation of a highly emotional and dynamic two-seater Roadster – just like the BMW 328 75 years ago. 'Hommage cars have a long tradition in the BMW Group. Based on our design philosophy 'Rooted in history, moving forward in design', they demonstrate the significance of history for the present.

Even 75 years ago, the BMW 328 stood for sportiness and agility through light-weight construction. The BMW 328 Hommage Car pays tribute to this past and shows how BMW lightweight construction will develop. Carbon is the material of the future.' (Adrian van Hooydonk) In keeping wîth its role model, the BMW 328 Hommage has a streamlined design and is clearly recognisable as a sports car. Precise lines run across all of the car body's taut surfaces. As a result, a subtle contrast between the tense surfaces and the sharp edges is created within the flat, dynamic silhouette. The strong wedge shape accelerates the vehicle even when it is at a standstill, the scoops behind the seats take up the lines coming from the bonnet, guiding them dynamically into the rear end. The structure of the CFRP mats gives the vehicle an appearance of depth, the diagonal lines of the woven CFRP additionally underscoring the dynamic design vocabulary of the roadster. Thanks to concise weaving, the carbon structure is clearly visible, optically emphasising the lightweight construction principle. Like the first BMW 328 test vehicles, wîth which the model celebrated its triumphant debut on the racetrack in 1938, then going on to gain a number of further successes, the BMW 328 Hommage has no doors. Then as now, deep recesses allow access to the inside of the car. The extremely wide and flat front end is strongly three-dimensional, generous surfaces and concise lines give the front end a powerful appearance. Viewed from the front, the CFRP bonnet appears to encompass the vehicle from above. It embraces the vehicle, framing the slightly set back front end in a very distinctive downward sweep. Due to the almost vertical, low-reaching sidewalls, it simultaneously emphasises the BMW 328 Hommage's excellent stability on the road. As a result, the vehicle appears to be even flatter and more dynamic as a whole. Únder the bonnet, further surfaces rise to embed the top and bottom of the distinctive kidney grille, whilst folding themselves around it to shape the adjacent air intakes.

Openings and large air intakes create visual lightness at the front, simultaneously demonstrating the high air requirement of the powerful three-litre, six-cylinder engine. Three-dimensionally designed lattices inside the front vents form a connection between the headlamps and the kidney grille, wîth the three-dimensional lattice structure acting as an accentuating feature.

Characteristic kidney shape.

The vertically positioned double kidney grille imitates the slim, vertical kidney design of the early BMW models. In those days, the BMW 328 was one of the first BMWs to feature it, after which it became further established wîth later BMW models. On the BMW 328 Hommage, the vertically mounted kidney grille is dynamically incorporated into the flat silhouette. It slants back roughly in the middle, thus blending in wîth the bonnet and the dynamic silhouette when viewed from the side. On the other hand, from the front it appears to be standing upright. The kidney grille bars are more prominently curved than the kidney grille surround itself. The vehicle displays the extremely round and appealing design of the original BMW 328 kidney grille when viewed from the side. The kidney grille surround is also distinctively three-dimensional, appearing to continue inside the vehicle. Its front surface is finished in polished high-gloss, whilst the side surfaces have a matt finish. This detail gives the kidney grille a very high-class and up-to-date appearance. Behind the kidney grille bars, black horizontal fins obstruct the view into the engine compartment – just like on the 328 of 75 years ago.

Athletic rear end.

The rear end takes on the design vocabulary featured on the front of the vehicle. Similar to the front end, sections of the sidewall form the framework for the design elements that appear to protrude from the rear end. Between them, located far to the outside, are two clearly and concisely designed taillights sporting the characteristic BMW L shape. Two filigree luminous elements reflect a strongly curved interpretation of the typical BMW L shape, whilst a concisely constructed bar fitted to the outside of the lamp is directed vertically downward, separating
the lamps towards the outside. The modern functional design of the taillights underlines the technical appeal of the vehicle.

The powerful sculpturing of the rear end also visually conveys the BMW 328 Hommage's lightness. Large vents and openings characterise the rear end, giving it a light appearance. The distinctively horizontal section below the taillights forms a counterpoint to the intense sculpturing, emphasising the width of the vehicle. Below that, the rear of the car is strongly arched, a concise line partitions the surface, thereby providing an air of lightness. This large sculptural element adopts the form language of the front-end design surrounding the kidney grille.

The wing-shaped element tapers both upward and downward, thus revealing two large latticed air outlets. The circular tailpipes are located inside these two openings. They protrude prominently out of the lattice and, combined wîth the distinctively designed wing shape of the lower air intake edges, underscore the power of the straight six-cylinder engine.

Details derived from motor racing.

	Vital Stats

The interior design of the BMW 328 Hommage comprises a number of details that are reminiscent of the successful motor racing history of the BMW 328. For example, the slightly asymmetrically designed windscreen has a recess in the middle, similar to the windscreen design of earlier racing cars. Simultaneously, it marks the areas in which the driver and co-driver sit. Moreover, four wide leather straps run across the bonnet, which appear to dive under the side shoulder surfaces to be continued on the side. This detail, which used to be considered an extremely sporty attribute, is also featured on the BMW 328 Hommage. Combined wîth the high-gloss aluminium safety buckles, the leather straps provide a touch of class in contrast to the very technical-lòòking carbon fibre. The modern quick-release fasteners for securing the bonnet bring racing of the past into the present. On the driver's scoop a large silver '75' as well as a small logo below it signify the reason for the BMW 328 Hommage. Next to it, the integrated tank filler neck protruding from the right-hand side is a striking detail. Whilst it protrudes prominently from the body of the BMW 328, the BMW 328 Hommage features a version that is integrated slightly more into the bodywork.

The large, prominently designed individual round headlights of the BMW 328 Hommage are reminiscent of the headlamps featured on the BMW 328, which were integrated into the wings for the first time. The three-dimensional interpretation of these round headlights is divided into four transparent, cylindrical elements, these being back-lit by LEDs. Between them, set-back black concave surfaces symbolise the typical tape cross used on headlights in motor racing.

Around the four reflectors an illuminated ring emphasises the circular design of each individual headlamp.

The two-part light alloy wheels featured on the BMW 328 Hommage are a very special interpretation of the characteristic hole pattern of the original rims. The extremely concave high-gloss black aluminium rim boasts a contrasting silver-grey cover made of glass fibre. The insides of the angular milled holes have a high-gloss finish and are distinctively accentuated by a matt overlay. A black chrome butterfly nut bearing the BMW emblem completes the contemporary version of the wheel.

Clear and functional – the interior.