BMW paid homage to one of its greatest race cars by building this gorgeous concept

In 1975, BMW arrived on American shores and immediately went racing in the ultra-competitive IMSA racing series. They didn't just compete, they won. Early and often. The car responsible for this incredible turn of performance is the BMW 3.0 CSL. In just its the first year of IMSA competition, the 3.0 CSL took home the 1975 constructors championship for the German automaker.

To commemorate its stellar rookie season and 40 years of selling cars in the US, BMW has unveiled a modern interpretation of the legendary racer - the aptly-named 3.0 CSL Hommage R.

"Motor racing is all about the ability of cars to mesmerize, about the unbridled joy of driving,"BMW Group Design senior vice president Adrian van Hooydonk said in a statement. "And as such it represents the heartbeat of BMW."

"Back in 1975, as today, winning races came down to how man and machine could work together. Technical innovations have taken the effectiveness of this partnership to ever great heights," van Hooydonk said. "And with the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R we're aiming to show how much closer the driver and car can grow in the future."