A few BF readers may have seen a life-like image of what appears to be a low-slung BMW supercar all over the web this weekend. As most of you probably guessed, that image has nothing to do with BMW and is certainly not a uber secret product that BMW has been developing. Instead it’s a rendering based off of an old Ford GT press shot (flipped horizontally). The wheels are from the recent Mazda Kabrua Concept and the details and ripped from the new E90 M3 and even the Audi R8.
We’re not going to even bother posting an image here but you can find it all over the automotive web if you look hard enough.
Yesterday BMW released a short video of Adrian Van Hooydonk talking about the new M1 Homage Concept. While we could have simple grabbed the file from the BMW press site and posted on Youtube like any other automotive site, we thought we’d try something a little different. In an effort to give you a better appreciation for what the M1 (in both road and racing form) we’ve edited together a handful of related clips (including quite a bit of vintage M1 footage) throughout the talk. Enjoy.
Official BMW AG Press Release: To mark the 30th anniversary of the BMW M1 super sports car, BMW Group Design is presenting a homage to this legendary model as part of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2008. The BMW M1 designed by Giorgio Giugiaro was a car of superlatives and a highly emotive vehicle that was uncompromisingly primed for the race track. Spawning this development was the BMW Turbo by Paul Bracq, a revolutionary concept car which, in addition to its groundbreaking functional design, also boasted a raft of technical innovations. It is from these two unique vehicles that the BMW M1 Homage takes its cue - a design study that pays tribute to its forerunner models and an embodiment of the competence, creativity and potential of the BMW Group Design team.
“For BMW, heritage is always also a living heritage. Drawing inspiration from your own past and thereby reinventing yourself - that is exactly what the BMW M1 Homage demonstrates in impressive style.”
Dr Klaus Draeger, BMW Group Board Member, Development
Photos of the new BMW M1 concept have hit the web. The concept car is intended to pay homage to the M1 and (if rumors are to be believed) generate interest in a potential production model. Does this mean that what you see to your right may actually point towards the long rumored mid-engined super-car? We’re doubtful but it’s certainly fun to speculate. And speaking of super-cars, Supercars.net has the entire scoop. Here’s an excerpt:
At the Villa d’Este Concours, BMW ignited passion for its heritage by reincarnating the seminal M1. The new design was shown at a private party over the weekend to generate interest in the program. It was placed alongside an original M1 as well as the 1972 Turbo Concept.
Official BMW AG Press Release: The star came in pure white: When the 64th Paris Motor Show opened its gates in autumn 1978, sports car fans and lovers had only one destination - the stand of BMW Motorsport GmbH. There they were able to admire a super-low, dynamic new model which made it clear at very first sight that this was Germany’s fastest road-going sports car: the BMW M1, 1,140 millimeters (44.9″ ) high, 204 kW (277 bhp) strong, and well over 260 km/h (160 mph) fast. “Everybody was crowding around BMW’s new mid-engined sports car”, wrote the press. And: “The list of orders coming in exceeds even the wildest expectations - an American fan of BMW, just to mention one example, has already put in an order for three M1s.”
That was quite something, considering that BMW’s super-sports car had a price-tag back then in 1978 of exactly DM 100,000, enough for four BMW 323is plus a couple of optional extras. It is fair to say that few cars have ever been expected with such excitement and anticipation as the BMW M1 which represented all of BMW’s know-how in motor racing. Project E 26, as the then still nameless M1 was initially called within the Company, had started in 1976. This was to be the first really unique car built by BMW Motorsport GmbH, BMW’s motor racing subsidiary established in 1972. The racing company, having already made a great name for itself in the international racing scene with the fast BMW 2002 and the highly successful BMW 3.0 CSI, now planned to lift this success to an even higher level with a competition car specially built and prepared for the Group four and five racing series.
Official BMW Press Release: BMW Group Mobile Tradition stands on the threshold of an eventful year. In June the BMW Museum in Munich will reopen its doors; the legendary BMW M1 sports car celebrates its 30th anniversary this year; and BMW Group Mobile Tradition models will again be lining up at a wide range of major events. As ever, Mobile Tradition will be attending the traditional start of the classic calendar - Techno Classica, held from 26th to 30th March 2008. At this, the world’s largest classic car show, visitors to Hall 12 will once again find an array of classic models sporting the BMW and MINI badges. This year’s novelty is that practically all the cars and motorcycles displayed on the BMW stand will be the property of club members. “I am delighted that we have gone down a route with the clubs that will convey to visitors the fascination and enthusiasm generated by our products,” says Karl Baumer, Director of BMW Group Mobile Tradition.
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.
We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: //M1\\ May 5th, 2008 2 Comments 
