Another stunner of a concept from BMW that harkens back to its history of racing homologation.
As BMW’s 100-year anniversary rolls on, the Bavarian auto outfit keeps gifting itself with quirkily beautiful salutes to the past (among other things). The latest in that line is the 2002 Hommage, unveiled at the Villa d’Este concours d’elegance in Italy.
It comes 50 years after the original BMW 2002 Turbo from 1966, being based off an M2 coupe and shares its low, almost squared dimensions but adds some distinct touches such as that new snout with side intakes and apron with the M racing colours, flanked by new flared fenders.
The original 1966 car had a chrome strip that ran the length of the car’s shoulder line. BMW has bestowed the 2002 Hommage with a carbon fibre strip instead that divides the car’s paint finishes – the lower portion of the car below the strip uses gloss paint while panels above it has been given a matte finish in the same colour: Space Race Metal – not the white that the original had and that we we’re initially expecting.
There are, as you have probably noticed, more angular fixtures to the car’s exterior. The car’s flanks have been recessed deeper, accommodating aero intakes behind the front wheel and before the rear. Speaking of which, rear wheel arch has an entirely new design that extends the car’s buttress, extending to the new (and more angular) rear bumper. It certainly is dramatic.
The rear of the car also sports lip spoiler that’s reminiscent of the one seen on the BMW E46 M3 CSL, and some have been entertaining notions that BMW could be previewing an M2 CSL veiled behind this ‘design exercise’.
Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group’s Senior VP of Design said during the unveil: “Exactly 50 years ago, the 02 range kick-started an era of success for BMW. This compact coupe is one of the vehicles which made the brand what it is today. The 2002 sat at the top of the range and was the first series-produced car anywhere in Europe to come with turbo technology. That set the seal on the coupe as a genuine sports car. At the same time, the 2002 turbo was at the technological vanguard of engine development at BMW. The BMW 2002 Hommage is our way of raising a glass to all these achievements.”
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