:O New M1 Concept

[YoTa_BoX]

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.

Thirty years ago BMW boldly entered the supercar market with the M1. Being a production racing car, it was a huge leap forward in both engineering and style. Thus, the M1 became an icon of BMW performance in the seventies. But it also became a singularity, since the cars relatively poor performance in motor sport hindered the prospects for a successor.

Reviving names of past models and modernizing them for the current market is a delicate balance. Considerations have to be made for safety, increased performance and retro styling as well as keeping the dedicated enthusiasts onboard. BMW are no strangers to retro design, their revival of the Mini has been a large success. This is contrasted by the new one-series and their romantic comparison to the 2002. The latest name that faces BMW designers is the M1.

The scope of the new M1 project is uncertain, but BMW are dedicated enough to champion the new visual design. At the Villa d’Este Concours they showed a non-functional styling buck, with no engine and interior, but with working lights and steering.

Like the original, the new M1 project is sleek, wide and ahead of its time. The car is painted a brilliant hue of metallic bronze, just like the first M1 prototype of 1972.

The 2008 M1’s styling is a new direction for BMW and a departure from Chris Bangle’s flame surfacing that changed the entire BMW line. Now we have more purposeful lines, a void of extraneous curves and a more purposeful stance. BMW said this was a new direction that would trickle down to all BMW models.

When revealed to our photographer, Matteo TT Schucchi, his first impression was that “pictures can't really show the real presence, but it really is amazing, with some incredible lines, and definitely a great modern interpretation of the M1.”

Next week the car will be officially unveiled by Auto Bild and BMW themselves.

[YoTa_BoX]

Look at that HOT ass!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Revmaynard]

I like it, it's so tacky it's nice! Like a lot of things from the 80's! Lol.

[yogi08]

looks like the new maro

[atlxpat]

so how functional would those headlights be? lol
i doubt this will go into productions, just like the first one. its still very sexy though

[Alan®]

so how functional would those headlights be? lol
i doubt this will go into productions, just like the first one. its still very sexy though

I thought they put the M1 into production?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl86V4kJJVE

[atlxpat]

I thought they put the M1 into production?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl86V4kJJVE

ah you're right, but in my defense only 456 were made
fun fact: it was a result of an agreement between lamborghini and bmw

[87 Turbo II]

ah you're right, but in my defense only 456 were made
fun fact: it was a result of an agreement between lamborghini and bmw

more correct fun fact: BMW created the M1 to compete with Porsche 911s in the mid engined Le Mans racing class and teamed with Lamborghini to make the car. Halway through the project, Lamborghini almost got shut down and filed for bankrupcy. BMW had to start over with a HUGE loss in funding. They picked p the project on their own and had to rush it with a lower-than-expected budget making the car quite mediocre. They produced the required 450(plus a random 6 more) needed to compete with the Porsche and then the rules/requirements for the class the Porsche was in changed, pushing the M1 out into an awkward "classless" position. BMW then (in a hilariously desperate attempt) created their OWN M1 racing series that featured only M1s for a few years until they stopped due to loss of interest.

[RUFFIAN]

that is nice. I'd drive it.

[Footefan52]

Way way way too computer generated. The actual concept model won't even look anything like this.

Cool looking car though

[TehHakingS14]

thats a sick ass b-dub

[tron]

fugly....!!!!??!!!!
older m1 looks way better

[nreggie454]

I think it looks terrible. I really can't find a thing I like about it.

[Brown Man]

holy crap!!!

[man]

It will probably fail just like the first one too. I'll take the M3...

[Ran]

It will probably fail just like the first one too. I'll take the M3...