BMW M1 Homage (Canceled; Greener Technology the priority)

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30 years ago, BMW introduced the M1, a car projected with Lamborghini and sporting a 273Hp, 3.5 liter Inline-6 known today as the M88/1. The car was never a racing success, but magazines raved about it being a supercar built in true BMW fashion.

In 2008, BMW has now unveiled a homage to the car, putting to rest all other M1 rumors. There appear to be no plans for production, but to me, she looks amazing.

Autoblog: BMW M1 Homage
BMW's supercar icon, the M1, blew out the candles at the Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este this weekend. In honor of the car's thirtieth birthday, BMW rolled out the new BMW M1 Homage, a concept/design study that pays tribute to the original M1 and shows what could be possible if BMW were to produce a new mid-engined sports car. Follow the jump for the breakdown.

Gallery: BMW M1 Homage
BMW M1 Family Tree

[Source: BMW]
The BMW M1 Homage blends a wide, aggressive stance with intentionally retro/modern twists on the key visual elements that defined Paul Bracq's original BMW Turbo concept and the Giugiaro-designed M1 homologation special that followed. It is instantly recognizable as an M1, particularly in profile, where the M1 Homage's basic shape clearly mimics that of its forebear. BMW's stylists also incorporated similar nods the particulars of the original, such as the louvered rear window; the badge placement in back; the line extending aft from the side glass; and even the wheel design, which is an exaggerated take on the ones you'll find on the original road car. Poring over the details of the Homage is akin to going on an Easter Egg hunt.

The greatest departure is seen in front, where BMW has given the M1 Homage a sinister, imposing face. Naturally, BMW's prominent double-kidney grille is front and center. Its joined by outboard intakes and a trapezoidal lower opening designed to swallow and direct air for both cooling purposes and aerodynamic effect. The car's four round headlights lurk behind thin slits in the front fascia, remaining essentially invisible until they're illuminated -- a tip of the cap to the hideaway nature of the classic M1's flip-up lamps.

There appears to be no interior, and BMW doesn't even bother mentioning specific powertrain possibilities. The M1 Homage is strictly a design exercise meant to celebrate an icon, but it also reminds us that Munich can do the supercar thing, too. Maybe one day it will again.
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It's official.
The M1 Homage is going into production under a different name.
BMW resurrected the spirit of its M1 with the recent unveiling of the M1 Hommage concept, and it looks as though the Bavarian supercar is once again headed to production, a new report finds. A time frame for the reborn M1 has yet to be announced, but a few other details have been revealed.

In an interview with Car magazine, BMW board member Herbert Diess revealed that the M1 Hommage concept will indeed make production. "We have the know-how, we have the right engine, we even have the infrastructure to build such a car," he said.

Despite Diess spilling the beans to Car, the British magazine is saving the goods for its July 2008 issue. However, Car's online site did reveal a little bit about the upcoming model.

Although the M1 Hommage concept has a strong connection to the M1 BMW produced between 1978 and 1981, the road-going version of the concept will not wear the M1 nameplate. A mid-engine setup will be part of the equation but, unlike the original, three engine choices will be available — presumably of the six, eight and ten-cylinder variety.

The production car will also sport ‘heron-wing’ doors and a driver-focused interior.

The July issue should hit newsstands in the U.S. later this week.
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http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-m1-hommage-concept-headed-for-production.html
I'm not crazy about the 6 cylinder, but I'm guessing the V8 will be from the M3, and V10 from the M5 and M6.

Plans canceled.
The BMW M1 Hommage Concept was one of the most exciting concepts to come out of the German automaker in recent years and, rightfully so, many were enthusiastic about the prospect of an Audi R8 rival from BMW. Following the M1’s unveiling, it was reported that the mid-engine supercar had been green lighted for production, but a new report indicates BMW has reconsidered that plan.

Klaus Draeger, the BMW board member heading the company’s EfficientDynamics program, revealed to AutoTelegraaf that BMW is not moving ahead with its M1 production plans.

Instead, BMW will but a greater focus on the development of green technology. “That is our biggest investment in the coming years,” Draeger said. BMW is slated to launch clean diesels and hybrids in the U.S. in the coming months.
Although car enthusiasts will be disappointed to learn that BMW is not going forward with its R8-rival, the move is probably a smart one by BMW – especially in the wake of $4 gas. The M1 was slated to hit the market in 2012, just one year after more stringent CAFE regulations will take effect. Add in the growing green movement, and BMW might have made a very Honda-esque production decision.
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http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-bmw-cancels-m1-production-plans.html

Oh well....
 
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It's a little too pinched for my tastes...

((And that, ladies and gentlemen, is probably going to be the only deroggatory comment in the entire thread.))
 
I love it! stays mostly true to the original and the 80's styling in general... I love the modern interpretation of the wheels.. Pity BMW probably wont be doing a new supercar any time soon...

Robin
 
What a beast! I really the design at the rear. Very 80s yet very stylish.
That sleepy eyes are awesome too. I bet most bimmer fans will love it.
 
The double roundels on the back looks stupid. Other than that though, I like it, natty old-style wheels included. It's how I would expect a modern M1 to look 👍
 
Meh, I'll have the origional, thanks. I generally am a sucker for vintage-style cars, but this one just ends up failing on too many levels.

...Too bad really...
 
Doh, forgot all about that. Fair game then... I didn't like it on the original either ;).

Brad; yeah, I'd rather have the original too, but this is better in my mind than say, the Miura concept from 2006. Although the more I look at it from the front dead-on... the more it looks like it's snorting at me.
 
It's a better job, IMHO, than the Miura... also... for the reasons I posted in that thread. The Miura concept is too slavish.

This one looks great in places... but the kidney grille? c'mon... do a po-mo interpretation of that, instead... and the wheels are positively 80's. Still, an 8/10.
 
It's the 1980s' modern interpretation.

The M1 looks sharp, while reflecting the current design philosophies of BMW. That suspended grille is cool, too. The new rounded shape puts a new spin on the style of the M1 today.
 
It looks like a squinting bull that was unfortunate to have an anvil dropped on its head.

The side profile however is quite menacing, though minus the wheels and with the front correlating with the back abit more.
 
Looks more like some generic Pontiac concept car from the 1990s (probably with a made up, 90s style name like "'Noxious") than anything BMW should put the practically sacred M1 moniker on.
 
Toronado
Looks more like some generic Pontiac concept car from the 1990s (probably with a made up, 90s style name like "'Noxious") than anything BMW should put the practically sacred M1 moniker on.
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Just my thoughts. It reminds me of the 135tii. looks nothing like original 2002tii's, and the tii was for the fuel injection it had, not a body kit package. I love the 3 and the 1 even more but the latest BMW concepts look like Crhis Bangle took a turd on a wind tunnel and drew wheels on them. :yuck:
 
-> I kinda like its aggressive stace, it really pays homage to the Homage. :sly:

-> Both the Miura and the M1 Homage are in the same league on each other. But the M1-H is much less retro unlike the the Miura concept.

~> I say its 4% FAIL. I normally dislike concept cars, but oh well.
 
Hmmm..

Does it remind anyone else of a Lancia, or am I off my rocker?

I hate it now, but I'll probably love it in 3 years... remember when the Murcielago came out, everyone thought it was ugly?
 
Well it does look stylish, but it looks horrible to me!!! :yuck: I don't get how the car just looks too "extreme" compared to the humble M1. A modern representation of the M1 yeah, but tone down on the styling and concentrate more on the inside..... ;) But if the M1 ever goes back to production, only if I could imagine........ :drool:
 
What's all this '80s talk when the M1 was born in the '70s?

Anyway, this looks amazing; along with the Mille Miglia concept, it's one of the best designs modern BMW has come up with. I hope we'll at least get to drive it in a videogame or two, if BMW sticks to leaving it as a concept. If not, it'd be great with the M3's V8.
 

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