It’s always seemed unlikely that the outlandish BMW’s M1 Homage concept would ever go into production, but recent reports suggest the Munich-based manufacturer is indeed planning to join rivals Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche in the supercar league.
Not much information about the production version has been released, but according to , BMW board member Herbert Diess claims BMW has “the know-how, the right engine, and the infrastructure to build such a car.” However, BMW will not name its new supercar after the original M1, which was built from 1978 to 1981.
The M1 Homage Concept demonstrates BMW’s modern interpretation of what have become classic supercar design cues. It has an elaborate rear diffuser and purposeful air-ducts integrated with the flanks, small door mirrors, a crouched stance, blunt, short front end and cheese grater-aping alloys that make it look every bit an attention-grabbing supercar.
Could this be a thinly-veiled prototype of BMW’s upcoming supercar – Munich’s reposte to Audi’s R8, which has proven to be a huge success for the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer? Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz have remained rather quiet about an R8 rival since the launch of the Audi supercar – until now, that is.
And, the biggest question on the minds of BMW aficionados is this… If Munich’s supercar sees the light of day, which engine will it offer? Possible units include a fettled version of the 4,0-litre V8 unit that lurks under the bonnet of the M3 (the R8 is powered by the M3-rivalling RS4 unit, come to think of it…). Another option would be a beefed-up version of the 5,0-litre V10 that currently powers the M5 and M6. In the M6, this unit has a maximum output of 373 kW. If the V10 is the option that BMW is leaning towards, then it seems that the Munich-based company is after the recently confirmed upcoming turbocharged 5,0-litre V10-powered R8.
If the V8 is the unit that will find its way under the bonnet of “the next M1”, then BMW will have its work cut out. The much-lauded Audi R8, which is powered by a 309 kW 4,0-litre V8 unit that is mated with six-speed manual transmission, dashes from zero to 100 km/h in 4,7 seconds and has a top speed of 301 km/h. It’s highly unlikely that BMW will go the quattro (all-wheel drive) route as Audi did for its R8, however.
It seems that the R8 better bask in its glory as much as it can for now – a new supercar contender is on the way. The original M1 was not a success; The first and only mid-engined BMW was powered by a twin-cam M88/1 3,5-litre six-cylinder powerplant that made use of Kugelfischer injection. This unit developed approximately 204 kW in the road-going version, while the turbocharged racing versions were able to produce about 634 kW. It’s fair to say that BMW will be aching to get the recipe right this time!