As everyone expected, BMW has also brought an updated version of the CSL Hommage Concept to Pebble Beach, alongside the Concept M4 GTS. Called the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R, the new study celebrates both the 40th anniversary of BMW in North America and the racing success of the BMW 3.0 CSL in 1975.

Compared to the 3.0 CSL Hommage study unveiled earlier this year at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza, the new iteration stands out due to its BMW Motorsport livery, a nod to the BMW 3.0 CSL’s livery from 1975 when it won the IMSA manufacturers’ championship at the first attempt.

The colors and graphics used remind of the classic racer, with the study also featuring the same racing number (25). The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R also revives details such as the “Bavarian Motor Works” decals on the windscreen and rear window. Other changes compared to the original Hommage 3.0 study are the matt gold 21-inch light-alloy wheels with black inlays.

Shaped by aerodynamics, the 3.0 CSL Hommage R study features a stretched body framed by distinctive air deflectors, powerful wheel arches and a prominent rear spoiler. The concept features laser lighting and LED technology, with a stylized, blue-lit “X” inside the lights separating the light functions from one another while also recalling the X-shaped headlight taping used for endurance races.

Inside, the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R is completely focused on the driver, with BMW saying that designers first penned the driver’s helmet, race suit and seat before moving onto the lines and surfaces of the interior. The helmet visor assumes the functions of a 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 – an interesting reinterpretation of the Head-Up Display.

In addition, the driver’s race suit (designed by Puma) visually expresses the connection between the driver and the car. When both the driver’s hands are on the steering wheel, illuminated piping integrated into the sleeves of the suit shows the progress of information out of the steering column over the driver’s arms and into his visor.

The seat shells follow a rising diagonal path rearwards, a line extended behind the seats into the rear by a structural carbon-fiber element that increases the torsional rigidity of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R. The white seat surfaces with fanned-out quilting mimic the design of the driver’s race suit, while BMW Motorsport’s signature stripes on the six-point safety harness add an extra splash of color.

I guess all we can do now is hope BMW will one day launch a limited-series model based on this study.

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