BMW celebrates 75th of the 328 with an Hommage model

BMW have released details of the 328 Hommage, a lightweight two-seater designed to commemorate the 75th birthday of the original BMW 328.

The manufacturer decided to start the celebrations near Lake Como in Italy before the 328 Hommage took centre stage at the Villa d’Este Concours, which has become a common showground for BMW’s ‘tribute’ vehicles.

BMW Group Classic CEO Karl Baumer explains that BMW wished to “pay homage to the passion and inventiveness of the fathers of the BMW 328.” The new car is designed to interpret what the same designers might have come up with using today’s technologies."

The concept car is powered by a powerful 3.0-litre straight six, but its real focus is on keeping weight to a minimum. It makes use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic as used by BMW in the M3 and M6. The weave is kept on show lending credence to the light weight ethos. Indeed, the show car weighs a mere 780kg.

The show cars styling apes the original 328 with a strong emphasis on the double kidney grille, a slightly asymmetrical wind screen and 4 wide leather straps over the bonnet. BMW has also chosen to display its green credentials as a number of features echo the Vision ED eco-supercar.

The performance and racing heritage of the 328 is displayed by the lack of doors and twin circular tail pipes.

There are no technical details beyond the engine size and type and no other data regarding performance. It is also unlikely that the car will make it into production. However, it shows the direction of BMW’s new post Bangle styling language and may have influence over the production Vision ED model.