The BMW 327-2 Hommage Is An Independent Design Study Merging The Past With The Future

This is an independent study for a modern BMW 327 conceived by automotive designers Geoffrey Decembry and Pierre Senelet that is neither related to nor endorsed by BMW.

BMW’s current design language can be described as polarizing, but the German automaker sure has plenty of heritage from its past that it could tap into if it so wished. Inspired by the aerodynamic lines of the classic BMW 327 that was introduced back in 1937, automotive designers Geoffrey Decembry (exterior) and Pierre Senelet (interior) came together to create a modern version of the touring coupe.

According to the designers, the purpose of this project was “to revisit the BMW of the 1930-1950 era” and not to criticize or propose an alternative to what BMW Design is doing today.

The end result is a four-seat grand tourer pictured in coupe and cabriolet bodystyles, as a luxurious and sporty model that could position itself between a Porsche 911 and a Bentley Continental GT. The BMW 327-2 Hommage is measuring 4,475 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,330 mm in height. This makes it 43 mm (1.7 inches) longer than the current BMW 2-Series Coupe, even though its proportions are dynamic thanks to the large-diameter wheels, the very short front overhang, and a “coachbuilding” scent.

At the front, the tall and narrow kidney grille is joined by large intakes and thin high-mounted LED headlights which are visually extended to the profile as a nod to the shut lines of the original. The license plate is moved to the side of the bumper like in Alfa Romeo models, in order to leave the grille unobstructed. The A-pillar is also a retro touch while the profile of the coupe features the famous Hofmeister kink and a front fender graphic that is similar to modern BMWs.

The rear end is quite interesting since it has a completely different design on the coupe and cabriolet models. The fixed top variant features thin LED taillights mounted on the sides of the rear hatch and additional units on the beautiful “Coda Tronca” tail. The topless model incorporates horizontally arranged taillights similar to the current BMW Z4 and earlier roadster concepts from the Bavarian automaker.

For the interior, the designers wanted to “build a bridge between the legacy and the audacity as a transition between the past and future of the brand”. A digital cockpit behind the futuristic steering wheel is clearly driver-focused without large screens or fancy graphics. The central tunnel looks like it is floating thanks to a transparent shell, while the front passenger section is more minimal.

The four-seater cabin is full of leather-style upholstery with touches of brushed aluminum and carbon fiber, while the mood lighting is changing accordingly to the driving style. The lightweight seats are designed after the furniture pieces of the 20th century but integrate sporty details and come with movable headrests.

The BMW 327-2 Hommage is, off course, nothing more than a design study in the digital world but it shows how automotive designers are infusing retro elements into future vehicles inspired by the past but without copying it. It also incorporates a different example of BMW’s vertical grille which sparked a controversy when it reappeared on the latest generation M3/M4.