Posted on Sunday 27 April 2008
Snapped a day ahead of its official debut, the M1 Concept shows BMW can reinterpret its classics in a modern and daring way. Sharing the essential core of the original M1’s design, yet thoroughly up-to-date, the new concept arrives just a month past its predecessor’s 30th birthday.
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
dame thats hot.
Impressive!!!
Looks like a transformer
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 (^_^)
Is it me or is this car a little… 80’s?
Looks like a good car for remake of Back to the Future.
Looks a lot like the former BMW 8-series.
thats ugly! that front end is horrible! how can you like this?
Me likee very much. But then again, I grew up in the 80s…
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
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.
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 !
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!!
its beautiful……bmw design has taken the m1 and brought it into the future…..
this car is so hot…should stick a twin tubo v10 from the next gen m5/6 just for shits and giggles
not sure about the front end, the lights looks very alfa. However the side profile is stunning, truly sleek and beautiful side profile
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?
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.
You’re probably right, I mean, 2 people out of 17 must be right…
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.
chris you clearly didnt look at the designers sketches.. those drawings dont look as if a kid drew them…
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.
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