I really do wish BMW would just get on with it already and build a rival to the Audi R8. It’s so painfully obvious that a mid-engined car like the R8 should have been built by BMW in the first place, rather than by their now stiff competition from Ingolstadt. Remember that beautiful M1 Hommage Concept from 2008? It’s 2011, BMW, what’s holding you up?

Regardless, this new 328 Hommage is a beauty. We’ve got a huge gallery of pics after the jump, as well as a few interesting facts about the original.

I’ve got a stainless steel model of the original at home, and it remains one of my favourite vintage cars. The BMW not only looked the part, but still holds the record for highest average speed at the historic Mille Miglia, which was a sort of cross-country marathon for the rich and famous in the 30s, 40s and 50s.

The original was noted for its technological advances, almost unprecedented in the 30s, namely a tubular space frame and hemispherical combustion cylinders, which would later be adopted by Chrysler and become famous as “Hemi”. Now you know.

Back to drooling over the new one though. Take a good look at that suave gentleman who’s driving, because he’s probably one of the few people who ever will. BMW has no plans to manufacture this car. I imagine the free publicity (hello!) will more than pay for the build.

Now can we have an R8 rival please?

Ciro De Siena – OverdriveTV