Showing BMW's increasing distance from the Chris Bangle flame-surfacing design language of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the M1 is a smooth, flowing, yet angular wedge with a low brow, high haunches and the signature kidney grille.
Details should accompany the official debut tomorrow at the Concorsa d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, but until then, we can reminisce about the original M1.
Powered by a 277hp (204kW) 3.5L straight-six, the 160mph (260km/h) M1 accelerated to 62mph (100km/h) in just 5.6 seconds. A collaboration between BMW Motorsport and Lamborghini and designed by Giugiaro Italdesign, only 456 examples of the car were made.
For more on the history and lore of the M1 supercar, read our 30th anniversary coverage.
BMW M1 Concept
Reader Comments
Sun Apr 27 2008 7:09 AM
mark says
dame thats hot.
Sun Apr 27 2008 7:23 AM
Robert says
Impressive!!!
Sun Apr 27 2008 9:33 AM
Germandude says
Looks like a transformer
Sun Apr 27 2008 9:56 AM
Jerd says
WOWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is exactly where BMW's design language should be heading. I bet that if BMW had an internal competition whereby half of BMW's cars followed the CS-concept's design language and the other followed this M1's, i reckon this would top the CS any day of the year. That flame surfacing crap cant even be discussed when analyzing this masterpiece. This M1 is everything a BMW should be; sleek, sublte, sexy and aggressive in a not-so-brash way.
Kudos BMW (^_^)
Sun Apr 27 2008 11:11 AM
Raptor says
Is it me or is this car a little... 80's?
Looks like a good car for remake of Back to the Future.
Sun Apr 27 2008 2:23 PM
S.H. says
Looks a lot like the former BMW 8-series.
Sun Apr 27 2008 2:58 PM
Mike says
thats ugly! that front end is horrible! how can you like this?
Sun Apr 27 2008 4:06 PM
Gus says
Me likee very much. But then again, I grew up in the 80s... :)
Sun Apr 27 2008 8:18 PM
Soupie says
not too fond of the rims, but imagine seeing that thing coming up behind you in the fast lane......I think if i saw it in person I would wet my pants
Sun Apr 27 2008 8:22 PM
mlevere1992 says
The front end is a little too much like an Alfa Romeo. Also, they need to change the wheels. Otherwise I like the overall style and side profile.
Sun Apr 27 2008 9:47 PM
Wizards Lore says
the front is a take on the Alfa Zagato..
but did anyone see that cool 80's flick "the Wraith" where Charlie sheen comes back to avenge his death by takign out his killers one by one in car races, the car he drives is an Interceptor, and this car is practically a copy !
Mon Apr 28 2008 4:40 AM
Alex says
I love this concept design study.. this is why BMW are always at the forefront of new, sleek, and sexy designs. They try something NEW mixed in with their history and come up with something unique!!
Mon Apr 28 2008 6:54 AM
ally says
its beautiful......bmw design has taken the m1 and brought it into the future.....
Mon Apr 28 2008 7:27 AM
knb says
this car is so hot...should stick a twin tubo v10 from the next gen m5/6 just for shits and giggles
Mon Apr 28 2008 8:51 AM
Alan says
not sure about the front end, the lights looks very alfa. However the side profile is stunning, truly sleek and beautiful side profile
Mon Apr 28 2008 12:04 PM
cj says
anyone think this is what the z10/m10 is going to be looking like? you know the supercar to compete with the gallardo they were meant to be bringing out in 2010?
Mon Apr 28 2008 1:00 PM
chris says
wow... every one of you except for mike is out of it.
if this were a concept from hyundai or a chinese brand, you'd probably laugh at it and say it is the ugliest thing around.
just about the only thing thats sexy on this car is that blue and white propeller on the hood.
i've used this comment many times before but it looks like what people in 1980 thought we'd be driving around today.. its REDICULOUS.
Mon Apr 28 2008 3:37 PM
Gus says
You're probably right, I mean, 2 people out of 17 must be right...
Mon Apr 28 2008 5:38 PM
chris says
lol. touche.
my point here is that if they were to make this car and style it like that... i really dont see many people buying it for the looks, simply the heritage.
I expect more from BMW than this. ever read stephen king's "the regulators"?? this thing looks like a car that a kid would draw up.
Mon Apr 28 2008 6:01 PM
Alex says
chris you clearly didnt look at the designers sketches.. those drawings dont look as if a kid drew them...
Tue Apr 29 2008 10:59 AM
chris says
i'm not talking about artistic ability here. sure the artist is talented. the design is rediculous. thats what i'm saying.
if a 7 year old were to dream up a fast car; it would look like this in his mind.
Sat May 10 2008 6:28 PM
BMW 4 LYF says
superbly stiled but i think they should have put the the M5 engine in it so it can compete with the Audi R8. its a brilliant car though
Wed Aug 27 2008 5:54 PM
Thomas says
This car is sickass!
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