BMW has unveiled a 2002 Hommage concept at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este.

Paying tribute the BMW 2002 turbo first seen 50 years ago, the Hommage concept celebrates ‘the extraordinary feats of engineering’ behind the classic - re-imagining them as a modern design study, marking its 50th birthday.

The sporting silhouette of the 2002 Hommage lies low against the road and features compact proportions, complete with a long wheelbase, short overhangs and a prominent “shark nose”. Aerodynamic details include the large spoilers at the front and rear, which team up with the air intakes to optimise airflow around the car and maximise downforce in every driving situation.

Inspired by the signature chrome strip that ringed the 02 in its day, a horizontal carbon band wraps itself around the shoulderline of the design study and splits the body visually into separate sections. The upper half of roof, bonnet and boot lid has matt paintwork to prevent reflection of the sun’s rays – in a reference to racing cars of yore. The lower section contrasts, with its high-gloss paintwork, bold, sculptural surfaces and ‘distinctive lines’ that draw the eye to the driven rear wheels. The Space Race Metal paintwork is described by BMW as ‘like liquid metal’ in both its matt and gloss form, the light metallic blue finish changes in appearance from a brightly fluorescent blue to grey, depending on the incidence of light.

The moulded wheel arches, which frame the body like four brackets and add stature, recall the homologated version of the BMW 2002 turbo, which needed broad extensions bolted onto its body to accommodate a significantly wider track. The Hommage car integrates this detail into its flanks while 20-inch light-alloy wheels in bi-colour design round off the styling.

At the front end is the familiar BMW kidney grille, featuring sculpted, black double-bars and, like the classic 2002, the Hommage model also has two single headlights, bordered by reflectors, whose gold colouring is a pointer to the “golden” 50th anniversary of the BMW 2002’s launch. Those with a keen eye will also notice the indicators, which – like those of the car’s forebear – are located separately from the headlights and embedded into a full-width strip (in carbon on the Hommage car) above them. The BMW Motorsport livery of the front apron and its “turbo” lettering in mirror writing once more harks back to the original decals of the 2002 turbo, as does the exterior mirror cap on the driver’s side.

At the rear, the lights are inspired by the same historical blueprint - almost rectangular, the glass covers have a contemporary black-panel look while the muscular wheel arches ‘bookend the rear section’ and accentuate the wide track. A spoiler lips bring a modern edge to the car’s detailing while the carbon diffuser integrates twin exhaust tailpipes and wraps up the rear styling with a sporting flourish, says BMW.

Watch the two together here: