BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R concept revealed - new pictures

BMW has revealed a racing version of its 3.0 CSL Hommage concept car at the Pebble Beach Concours event.

Almost identical to the concept unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in May, this updated version sports BMW’s racing colour scheme.

New improvements include a race suit that can display information to the driver. The driver’s helmet can display speed and engine information, while special piping in the sleeves illuminates when both the driver’s hands are on the wheel.

BMW Group design chief Adrian van Hooydonk said: "With the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R we're aiming to show how much closer the driver and car can grow in the future."

The minimalist steering wheel display provides the driver with information on the current track and race position. Other racing additions to the interior include a fire extinguisher system and an emergency shut-off.

The car revealed at Villa d'Este was described as a one-off recreation of the classic 3.0 CSL from the early 1970s, racing versions of which were nicknamed 'Batmobile' after their extreme aero packs were added.

While BMW insists the concept is a one-off creation with no production future, Autocar understands that the concept does still hold some significance for BMW’s future production models.

Senior sources have revealed that the concept is a statement of intent for BMW M division to build more extreme, lightweight models, which would be pitched as M’s answer to its great rival Mercedes-AMG’s Black Series versions.

This strategy is said to have the strong backing of new BMW M boss Frank van Meel, who joined the company from Audi’s RS division earlier this year.

The first model built to this strategy is set to be the M4 GTS, which has also been revealed ahead of a launch in the summer of 2016.

“The 3.0 CSL Hommage is a show car to test out some design features," van Meel told Autocar at the Nürburgring 24 Hours race earlier this year. "We are looking into a response to the show car but for us it’s always to get the feedback on whether people think it’s really cool. It’s not an overall concept we are thinking to make.”

The 3.0 CSL Hommage is the third Hommage car from BMW in recent years, following on from the M1 Hommage from 2008 and the 328 Hommage, which celebrated the 75th anniversary of the 328 racer in 2011. Like the 3.0 CSL Hommage, both the previous Hommage concepts were revealed at Villa d’Este.

The latest concept car is marginally bigger than an M6. It is 4997mm long, 2018mm wide and 1302mm high, with a wheelbase of 3190mm. For comparison, the M6 is 4898mm long, 1899mm wide and 1374mm high, with a wheelbase of 2851mm.