Again in early 2008, BMW had an concept to rejoice considered one of its most iconic automobiles: the M1. This supercar from the late Nineteen Seventies was and nonetheless is BMW’s solely supercar ever made, with an thrilling racing historical past behind it as properly. On the thirtieth anniversary of its debut, Chris Bangle, former BMW’s Head of Design, and the workforce at BMW Traditional wished to create a automobile that honored the M1’s legacy for the upcoming Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
Six designers had been invited to pitch concepts for what would turn into the BMW M1 Hommage. Even Joji Nagashima, well-known for designing the Z3, E39 5 Collection and E90 3 Collection, joined the hassle. Alongside him had been rising stars like Christopher Weil (former head of BMW Exterior Design) and Anders Warming (previous and present boss of a number of manufacturers at BMW). As we speak, Weil and Warming lead BMW’s idea and superior design groups. However ultimately, it was Benoit Jacob’s design that stood out. Jacob, who would later lead the design of the futuristic i3 and i8, created a automobile that was each a tribute to the unique M1 and a imaginative and prescient of what a contemporary BMW supercar may appear to be.
A Tight Deadline
A few of you may recall from our earlier tales how the design course of works: there are a number of rounds of sketches being submitted, and ultimately, one prevails. The method often takes years, however on this case, time was of the essence. Jacbob gained the competition in February, a month after the temporary was handed out. As soon as the design was chosen, the true problem started. The workforce had simply 4 months to show the M1 Hommage into an actual automobile for its debut on the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the distinguished automobile present on the shores of Lake Como in Italy. The strain was monumental, with a workforce of 25 individuals working across the clock to make it occur. The schedule was so tight that a few of BMW’s board members didn’t even see the automobile till hours earlier than it was unveiled.
However they pulled it off. When the M1 Hommage was revealed, it was gorgeous. Its Liquid Orange paint, a nod to the M1’s iconic coloration and the Porsche Ruby Purple and DayGlo Orange of the Turbo Idea, appeared vibrant in opposition to the blue waves. The automobile blended traditional M1 design cues, just like the slatted rear window and slim and futuristic headlights, with fashionable options. Constructed on the axles of the E63 6 Collection, the M1 Hommage appeared so full that many thought it was prepared for manufacturing.
The Greatest Half? A V10 Engine Below The Hood
Right here comes the very best half: BMW deliberate to equip the M1 Hommage with the S85 V10 engine, the identical 5.0-liter powerhouse from the E60 M5. This is able to have made it a real efficiency monster and a worthy successor to the unique M1, and for sure, a extremely sought-after automobile. However regardless of its near-production readiness, the M1 Hommage confronted as soon as once more a serious roadblock: timing. In 2008, the automotive world was shifting towards smaller, extra environment friendly engines. Huge, gas-guzzling supercars had been falling out of favor, particularly in Germany, the place there was rising political strain in opposition to them, in keeping with Steve Saxty, the creator of the BMW Behind The Scenes books.
In the long run, BMW determined to not produce the M1 Hommage. As a substitute, they turned their focus towards a brand new form of sports activities automobile: the BMW i8. The i8 carried a number of the Hommage’s futuristic design parts however featured a plug-in hybrid system with a three-cylinder engine. Whereas revolutionary, the i8 didn’t have the uncooked, emotional enchantment of a V10-powered supercar.
The Legacy of the M1 Hommage
Regardless that it by no means went into manufacturing, the M1 Hommage left its mark. Its Liquid Orange paint impressed the creation of Valencia Orange, which appeared on the 1 Collection M Coupe. Its design influenced different BMW fashions, together with the i8. In the long run, the M1 Hommage stays considered one of BMW’s most fascinating “what ifs.”
