This week the International Automobile Festival made the BMW 3 Series most beautiful car of 2011. There is also, part of the exhibition concept cars (26-29 January), the Tribute 328. The opportunity to return to mancelles great stories, with Jean-Michel Juchet, Communications Director of BMW France.

Originally launched in June 1936, 328 sealed the reputation of the Bavarian manufacturer permanently on road and track, a company that formerly specialized in aircraft engines. Thus, in 1939, three 328 were entered for the 24 Hours of Le Mans finishing fifth, seventh and ninth. The 328 concept car carries subtle allusions to its inspiration, like the leather straps on the bonnet, while still remaining within the modern style.

Jean-Michel Juchet: "The idea is to combine a tribute to the 328 with the latest technologies. We also wanted to foreshadow possible stylistic and technological developments (such as the use of carbon fibre) for the years to come, and also demonstrate that automotive passion is alive and well. The interior evokes a principle dear to BMW, of driving pleasure of the wind, driving a vehicle that is sculpture as much as the automobile."

Does the use of carbon fibre imply the desire to deveop a competition version in the near future?
"It's too early to tell. However, a foreshadow of the future sports coupe also said to prefigure the style of a racing car. It might be (that said the conditional, without prejudging the future) retrieve items from the 328 Homage a prototype or a GT racing. But for now, it's a dream! "

The original 328 also marked the first significant results of BMW in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1939. The beginning of a great story ...
"With more recently, a BMW engine in the McLaren F1 that won at Le Mans in 1995. Even today, we are very proud of the victory of our prototype V12 LMR in 1999. I was at 24 Hours circuit that year, and I vividly remember a beautiful grid with Ferrari, Mercedes, Porsche, Toyota, Audi ... and we hope that this continues to the future. "

In your view, a variation of the road 328 Tribute Could have the same impact as highly stylized coupe as the generation of BMW Z3 and Z8?
"Why not? Nothing has been decided yet, but the response to a concept car like the 328 Tribute was so positive that, as always, it can be used to influence the Executive Board of BMW and result in a small series. But, again, it's still conditional! "

Click here to learn more about the exhibition of concept cars of International Automobile Festival..
HERE You can also find the original BMW 328, HERE  winning the Grid 1 (reserved for cars that raced at Le Mans 24 Hours from 1923 to 1939) in Le Mans Classic 2010.

Jean-Philippe Doret

Photo: Celebrating the 328 heralts a vibrant chapter in the history of BMW on road and track.