Wild BMW concept coming to Melbourne

After making its global debut at the ultra-ritzy Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in mid-August, the spectacular BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R concept is now coming to Melbourne.

The stunning Hommage show car, which could preview a new supercar from BMW, will make only its second public appearance – anywhere in the world – at this weekend's Motorclassica exhibition, which runs from this Friday to Sunday (October 23-25).

BMW Group Australia's CEO Marc Werner made the bombshell announcement last night, when he confirmed the 'rockstar' car will be airfreighted to Australia, accompanied by two dedicated bodyguards from Munich.

"We're very excited about it. It's really fantastic," enthused the BMW Australia CEO.

The concept car, nicknamed 'Sophie', provides big clues as to the prestige car maker's future design direction – particularly its M cars – and was inspired by one of the brand's most famous sports cars, the 1971 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile'. That vehicle will also be on show.

Stealing Mercedes-Benz' thunder, which has been a major drawcard marque for the last couple of years at Motorclassica, BMW will also show the brand-new M4 GTS – which customers can order then and there at the event.

BMW is still negotiating pricing for the M4 GTS, but motoring.com.au understands it's likely to be more than $250,000.

"As you know, Motorclassica opens in Melbourne on Friday morning and for the first time BMW will be the headline manufacturer at this event with sensational vehicles," he announced.

As well as showing the MINI Clubman and a special BMW Deus Ex Machina R90 motorcycle, Werner said the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R was the "perfect opportunity for us not only to engage with the heritage when it comes to our vehicles but also to show the transition towards what is happening at the moment.

"It will be standing next to the 1975 3.0 CSL in order to really leverage on the BMW heritage on the one side, but more importantly I think there is growing demand, or appreciation, from Australian customers engaging with vintage cars," the BMW Australia boss told motoring.com.au.

Some of the other stars at the show will include the McLaren F1, Pagani Zonda, Ferrari F40 and 288GTO, not to mention a trio of Lamborghinis – Diablo, Countach Miura – and the Jaguar XJ220.

Ferrari, Lotus, Maserati, Morgan, Caterham, and several other marques will show modern-day cars at the event too.

Werner posited that because there are no other major motor shows in Australia "there's certainly a gap at the moment".

He sees the Australian Motoring Festival as "another opportunity" that was being studied but said "Motorclassica in particular is a perfect opportunity for us to engage with very affluent motorists, if you want to call them that."

Werner also revealed that a huge contingent of BMW clubs from around the globe will be attending the Melbourne event at the Royal Exhibition Centre, keen to get a glimpse of 'Sophie'.

"With all the activities going on now, I have to tell you all the BMW clubs worldwide are actually gathering in Melbourne as we speak. They'll be present at Motorclasica as well.

"[They're coming from] all over the world. It's a perfect fit. We could not not be there," he enthused.

And just how difficult was it to get the 3.0 CSL Hommage R concept to Melbourne for a brief three-day event?

"It was an intensive dialogue with our Board of Management, let's put it like that!" smiled Werner, adding that the importance of the Australian market is growing in Munich.