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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 with 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 with 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 in-side 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 de-sign 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 characterize the rear end, giving it a light appearance. The
distinctively horizontal section below the taillights forms a counterpoint to
the intense sculpturing, emphasizing 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 with the
distinctively designed wing shape of the lower air intake edges, underscore the
power of the straight six-cylinder engine.
Clear and Functional
Interior
The interior of the BMW 328 Hommage visualizes the
functional passion the BMW 328 exuded already back then. Thus the design of the
interior is also pure and functional today. The entire interior structure is
made of CFRP, conveying the lightweight construction concept of the BMW 328 into
the inside of the car both visually and functionally. Due to the special
application of materials, openings and freely suspended elements, the surfaces
and different levels create an all-embracing feeling of lightness.
Through the use of CFRP inside the BMW 328, the "layering" design principle,
with which shapes take on clear functions, adopts a completely new form of
expression. Due to its exceptional characteristics, CFRP is in itself robust and
can be shaped into self-supporting structures. Hence, only two large surface
areas - so-called layers - define the interior of the BMW 328 Hommage. Both of
them start at the bonnet and protrude into the interior. One of the layers
extends to-wards the driver, reveals the entire driver's workplace comprising
steering wheel, control elements and scoop, thereby separating the driver and
co-driver areas from each other. This spatial separation is indicated by a
further material: the elegant, brown leather interior extends from the entrance
across the driver's area, over the seats to the scoop, thus becoming an integral
part of the design vocabulary of the first layer. At the same time, the
surrounding graphics comprising material and geometry create a link with the
co-driver. On the driver's scoop, a silver-colored logo bearing the number 75
also gives indication inside the car of the festive occasion in honor of the BMW
328 Hommage.
The second layer begins next to the scoop, making a sweep
towards the co-driver, then to float freely in front of him. This gesture
creates a sporty but light sense of spaciousness, opening out a functional area
in front of the co-driver. Between the driver and co-driver a multitude of
recesses in the instrument panel and centre console create an airy and
harmonious spatial experience, bringing the driver and the co-driver slightly
closer to each other again in a sweeping gesture. The lines of the woven carbon
fibers complement the interior design vocabulary perfectly.
Viewed from
above, a slightly asymmetrical design of the bonnet and windscreen underscores
the driver-orientated construction of the BMW 328 Hommage. The windscreen is
larger within the driver's area, so the lines of the powerdome are of different
length. Behind the windscreen they continue in the inside of the car, so that at
this point both the interior and the exterior appear to be intertwined.
Details Derived from Motor Racing
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 with the high-gloss aluminum
safety buckles, the leather straps provide a touch of class in contrast to the
very technical-looking carbon fiber. 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 trans-parent, cylindrical elements, these being back-lit by
LEDs. Between them, set-back black concave surfaces symbolize the typical tape
cross used on headlights in motor racing. Around the four reflectors an
illuminated ring emphasizes 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 aluminum rim boasts a contrasting
silver-grey cover made of glass fiber. 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.
Lightweight Construction as a Principle
Major parts of the exterior and interior of the BMW 328 Hommage are made of
carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Whilst in the old days they favored the
materials aluminum and magnesium, CFRP is now considered to offer the best ratio
between weight and stability. The high-strength fiber fabric is lighter than
aluminum, but also more stable. Wherever the material has been used on the BMW
328 Hommage, it is also visible. In this way, the BMW 328 Hommage not only
reflects the lightweight construction principle functionally, but also visually.
The BMW Group leads the way in the production and use of CFRP in automotive
construction and already possesses many years of experience in the series
production of CFRP roofs and structural components for the BMW M6 as well as
CFRP roofs for the BMW M3.
Not only do the exterior and interior CFRP
elements of the BMW 328 make an exceptional statement. The up-to-date
implementation of the original vehicle character is also expressed in the choice
of other materials used on the inside and outside of the vehicle. Fine leather,
matt and high-gloss black polished aluminum as well as the CFRP interior
visualize in the BMW 328 Hommage the pure and functional roadster character of
the sports car of that day. Inside the vehicle there are also numerous details
derived from motor racing, offering a hint of the BMW 328's most successful
motor sports career. For instance, the premiere of the vehicle in 1936 did not
take place at a motor show, but on the race-track. In its first race, the BMW
328 declassified the entire higher-powered competition and dominated the
racetracks of Europe during the years that followed.
Instruments and
Tripmaster
The instruments featured in the BMW 328 Hommage are both
sporty and functional to an equal extent. The sparse instrument panel is
dominated by the only round instrument - the prominently designed rev counter.
Like the cockpit of the BMW 328 and typical of a sports car, the instrument
cluster indicates in addition to engine speed only the oil temperature, oil
pressure and water temperature. To the right of the rev counter, control lamps
and a gearshift point indicator complete the instrument cluster. The instrument
surrounds are finished in black chrome and made to the highest standards.
The puristic instrument cluster is complemented by the so-called tripmaster.
The instrument panel of the BMW 328 Hommage is a fitted with two iPhones located
in special holders and which assume additional display functions for the driver
and co-driver. They are integrated into the self-supporting structure of the
co-driver layer and, like the instrument cluster, are accommodated in a
high-grade aluminum housing. The shape of the housing itself imitates the design
of classic stopwatches, the two functions of the tripmaster being accessible
through two further openings. Firstly, the iPhones function as stopwatches for
measuring lap times and secondly as GPS roadbooks. Using two iPhones the driver
and front-seat passenger/co-driver respectively can use both functions at the
same time. After a journey, the iPhones can also be taken away in their holders.
Apart from the instruments and the tripmaster, the BMW 328 Hommage is also
fitted with further features taken from motor racing. In addition to being
equipped with just the bare essentials in order to save weight, the BMW 328
Hommage is also fitted with modern 4-point seat belts, ergonomic seats and the
"bone", a kind of emergency switch-off for the vehicle electronics, which is
located between the two seats. The brushed aluminum belt retainers located next
to the headrests ensure optimal guidance of the belts. These high-class,
functional details are concealed behind the headrests, blending in harmoniously
with the overall concept.
BMW 328 Hommage Concept: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications