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BMW insider reveals details about ‘green’ supercar based on M1 Homage

 
9 7,422 views Nov 21, 2008
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New supercar model would be used to showcase BMW’s most sophisticated environmental technology

New supercar model would be used to showcase BMW’s most sophisticated environmental technology

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Despite BMW not having built a true supercar for 30 years since its original, limited-edition M1 model, a "high ranking insider" at the firm insists management is trying to reinvent its performance image with a new 'green' supercar based on the wild M1 Homage concept revealed earlier this year.

BMW is reportedly studying the viability of the project, with the ultimate goal to create a two-seater sports car that showcases all of firm’s most sophisticated environmental technology. A limited production run would be timed for release at the end of 2012.

Speaking with AutoWeek, the insider said that "the idea is to take the supercar to a whole new level of environmental compatibility using technology and materials already in wide use today", presumably referring to lightweight materials and BMW's already in-use technologies such as stop-start systems, regenerative braking systems and direct injection, as well as other possible technologies such as cylinder deactivation.

Rumors of a possible return of the M1 supercar have been coming since late September, and bringing a flagship sports model to market will help BMW compete against the likes of the Audi R8 and upcoming Mercedes Benz SLC Gullwing.

While the R8 and SLC Gullwing rely on big cube displacement, the insider stated that BMW may be more inclined to use a tweaked version of the twin-turbo 3.0L straight-six currently found in the 335i, although there is always the possibility of using the V8 from the BMW M3 or the 5.0L V10 from the M5 and M6, or even a new hybrid engine system.

Developing an environmentally friendly supercar is not BMW's number one priority right now, but reportedly the project is moving at a reasonable pace - hopefully news of a green light for production will be forthcoming in the next few months.
BMW M1 Homage

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Comments (9)

  1. ma_skylinealx avatar skylinealx Posted: 11/21/2008 7:52am PST

    BMW should be focusing on making something to face Lambos and Ferraris...not to face Pruises
     
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  2. ma_danDAN avatar danDAN Posted: 11/21/2008 9:03am PST

    A green supercar? Hmm. Personally I think this will get a twin-turbo V10. But then that's just wishful thinking. Haivng said that a hybrid would be good for instantaneous torque just a matter of keeping the weight down
     
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  3. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 11/21/2008 2:26pm PST

    Probably get the twin turbo inline six and the twin turbo V8
     
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  4. ma_Michael D avatar Michael D Posted: 11/21/2008 2:46pm PST

    This is a great idea and project and I hope it moves forward, a supercar is a sweet machine, green or not!

    I still am hoping that BMW has a change of heart with the CS/8-Series, I was looking forward to that greatly, and BMW's peers are moving ahead with some serious 4-door coupes, from the VW CC all the way to a reported top-tier and exclusive Bugatti Royale sedan/saloon.

    •*The CS is far along the line with development and would be based upon a new 7-Series chassis - could the project be on hold for now, to perhaps be picked up later?

    • Another idea is (this is my own take, not inside information) possibly to re-develop the CS into a Rolls-Royce 4-door coupe, being the upcoming RR4 is based upon new-generation 7-Series underpinnings. The CS could be redesigned to be more bespoke, using the chassis and hard-points, with a higher hood-line for the signature grill, and be a modern take on the Camague coupe, which ran from mid 70s through the mid 80s.

    Sorry if this is off-topic slightly, but still has to do with a BMW supercar. I want to see the "green" M1-type successor materialize!
     
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  5. ma_crazychicken avatar crazychicken Posted: 11/22/2008 7:11pm PST

    This doesn't make sense to me. Green and supercar are almost contradictory adjectives. A green car emphasizes having little environmental impact, i.e. good fuel efficiency. A supercar emphasizes performance, performance, performance to the extreme, which inevitably leads to poor fuel efficiency. So the goals are contradictory and the consumers for each market are totally different. Why even do this? Lame idea.
     
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  6. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 11/22/2008 7:22pm PST

    Actually Porsche cars all get great milage and so does the Corevtte, so it is not contradictory
     
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  7. ma_danDAN avatar danDAN Posted: 11/23/2008 5:12am PST

    CrazyChicken - I think by green supercar they are talking in relative terms. And implement green technology, like low resistance run flat tyres, weight savig materials, stop start technology, battery regeneration and possibility a hybrid function
     
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  8. ma_azlan avatar azlan Posted: 11/23/2008 2:44pm PST

    i dont car if its green or not as log as it goes fast, but i would like it to sound good and i dont know how they would pull that off. but bmw are ones to challenge things so i think they should go for it.
     
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  9. ma_SuperSkyline89 avatar SuperSkyline89 Posted: 11/24/2008 10:52am PST

    Sounds cool, Lamborghini's look awesome in lime green, maybe BMW can make one look good in that colour too.
     
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