BMW 328 Hommage Concept

To give the car a more retro look while keeping its futuristic feel, BMW’s designers took certain elements of the original 328 adapted them to their new roadster study. These include the slim and dare we say, much missed from BMW fans, vertically positioned double kidney grille, the leather straps across the bonnet, the styling of the wheels, and the double windscreen with a recess in the middle. The doors were also removed to imitate the styling of the 328.

In keeping with the original roadster’s lightweight philosophy, most major parts of the exterior and interior of the 328 Hommage are made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), which BMW says is lighter but also more stable than aluminum.

The two seater interior has far fewer retro touches than the exterior with BMW’s designers going for a minimalistic look. The materials used inside include carbon fiber, leather and aluminum, all of which are purposely visible.

The concept model is powered by a 3.0-liter straight-six engine, but that’s all the technical specifications we get about the car from BMW.

BMW M3 ALMS

bmw rahal letterman racing alms

BMW chose the Chicago Auto Show to announce its re-entry into American Le Mans Series racing. The German automaker revealed a race-prepared M3 coupe, festooned with a large rear spoiler, aggressive fender flares around the wheels and a stripped interior complete with built-in roll cage. The M3's V8 has been up-rated to 485 horsepower.

bmw rahal letterman racing alms

bmw rahal letterman racing alms

bmw rahal letterman racing alms

bmw rahal letterman racing alms

bmw rahal letterman racing alms

bmw rahal letterman racing alms

bmw rahal letterman racing alms

bmw rahal letterman racing alms

bmw rahal letterman racing alms

BMW M3 Race Version 2009

BMW-M3_Race_Version_2009

Chicago, IL/Woodcliff Lake, NJ - February 6, 2008... BMW presented the racing version of the new BMW M3 at the Chicago Auto Show. Powered by a 485 bhp eight cylinder engine, this impressive race car has been designed to compete in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) beginning in 2009. The car is based on the fourth generation of the BMW M3, the high-performance sports car produced by BMW M GmbH.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen says: "With the sporting genes of the production BMW M3 being clearly evident, developing a racing version of the car was the next logical step. The fact that the road-going vehicle is fitted with a V8 engine as standard provided us with an ideal base. However, the BMW M3 is more than a race car, it has achieved legendary status amongst race fans across the globe. I am convinced that this unique story of the BMW M3 racing cars will now be expanded upon by the addition of further chapters."

BMW's 2009 entry into the American Le Mans Series will be driven by a partnership between BMW of North America, LLC and Rahal Letterman Racing, co-owned by US motorsport legend Bobby Rahal.
"We are very pleased to be returning to the American Le Mans Series with our latest generation BMW M3," states Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO, BMW of North America. "Sports car racing has been part of BMW of North America's history practically from day one. Just two weeks after the company was incorporated in March 1975, a BMW CSL won the Twelve Hours of Sebring. We are confident that the fourth generation M3 will continue the legacy of its two predecessors which combined to win six manufacturer's championships over nine seasons in US sports car racing. As it has been in the past we believe the ALMS is the ideal venue to showcase the potential of the newest BMW M3."
Echoing that sentiment Bobby Rahal adds, "BMW has an illustrious racing heritage. Rahal Letterman Racing is eagerly anticipating, not only becoming part of that heritage, but helping to enhance it. Our dedication to this project will be without equal and we look forward to racing at the front of the grid with BMW in the years to come."
Martin Birkmann, Motorsports Manager, BMW of North America, adds: "We are very excited to announce our return to the American Le Mans Series with the 4th generation M3 at the same time as the road car hits the BMW showrooms. We are also excited about our partnership with Rahal Letterman Racing. The ALMS offers racing where we can compete against the finest and most renowned automotive brands from Europe and the US. Motorsport is deeply ingrained in the BMW DNA and we are pleased to partner with an organization which shares that same heritage. Rahal Letterman Racing is the perfect partner to be behind the wheel of our new BMW M3 racing effort."

BMW-M3_Race_Version_2009

BMW-M3_Race_Version_2009

BMW-M3_Race_Version_2009

BMW-M3_Race_Version_2009