BMW doesn't really do flights of fancy, so upon seeing the company's Vision EfficientDynamics concept with our own eyes at the Frankfurt Auto Show, we knew all these strange curves had to be leading up to something very interesting and production-ready. Today, we got an answer in the form of the 2012 BMW M1.
It's an interesting time for BMW to revive the M1 nameplate (last heard from in 1981), as Mercedes-Benz is readying the reborn gullwing, the 2010 SLS AMG. And coincidentally enough, Benz is working on an electric version of the SLS that would use four electric motors and two transmissions to achieve a 3.8-second 0-to-60-mph time and a 150-mph top speed.
In contrast to the all-electric SLS and the R8-inspired Audi E-tron, the BMW M1 will be a plug-in hybrid. Drivetrain components will apparently come straight out of the EfficientDynamics concept, which had a "mid-mounted" 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbodiesel despite a 2+2 seating arrangement.
The concept also had two electric motors -- one packaged between the diesel inline-3 and a rear transaxle version of BMW's M DCT dual-clutch gearbox, and the other up front driving the front wheels through a single-speed gearbox. Ninety-eight lithium polymer cells provide the power for the electric motors. Peak output of all power sources, according to BMW, would be 356 hp, along with 590 pound-feet of torque.
Another photo and more information after the jump.
Though everything's preliminary at this point, the M1 would evidently be a little slower than Benz's SLS Electric, as BMW claims a 4.8-second 0-60, along with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
Look for aerodynamics to play a huge role on the 2012 M1, as BMW is likely to apply many of the lessons it has learned Formula One racing. Various ducts and folds in the bodywork will be used to smooth air flow and create downforce. If BMW can do all this and come up with a car that looks as stunning as the original Giugiaro-penned M1, that would really be a feat of design.
estreka says:
05:18 PM, 09/28/09
The M namesake is really being diluted. Nice car, though.
firstwagon says:
05:40 PM, 09/28/09
They really have to get rid of all those ugly creases and lines in the bodyworks.
hondacura4 says:
07:58 PM, 09/28/09
Cool concept as I really like out of the box thinking. However, calling it an M is a bit of a stretch.
mrbacon says:
09:41 PM, 09/28/09
No.
BMW, please listen.
Bring back the M1, but not like this. Not anything like this.
jkp1187 says:
02:40 AM, 09/29/09
It's fast, aerodynamic, and light - how in the hell is this a 'dilution' of the ///M brand?
dougtheeng says:
06:00 AM, 09/29/09
What an awful looking front end.
blueguydotcom says:
07:02 AM, 09/29/09
No problems with this car. Much better than the X6 or X5 M models.
hondacura4 says:
08:46 AM, 09/29/09
"Bring back the M1, but not like this. Not anything like this."
Mrbacon, ordinarily I would agree. However, with the push for significant change of the automotive landscape I have to say this car is very, very interesting in terms of increased efficiency and performance.
notabigdeal says:
10:02 AM, 09/29/09
Very interesting indeed. This car will surely have a place in the market. Not sure it will come across as a competitor for the R8. Perhaps people looking for a high revving v8/10 won't really care much about hybrid engines. I think it will have a segment of its own.
jeremy0818 says:
11:47 AM, 09/29/09
It seems like a great car but it seems to have totally different mission than the original M1. The original M1 was built in order for BMW to get really involved in racing. Compared to supercars of its time, such as Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer, Lamborghini Countach, DeTomaso Pantera and so on, power to weight ratio wasn't anything spectacular, it wasn't particularly light, or had the fanciest design, nor had the highest top speed, but it achieved what it was suppose to achieve: to win the Group B, although it happened quite a bit after its production. It is the one that started BMW M = high revving, not so high torque, high performing car, and probably had more impact on BMW = performance image than 2002tii. The engine was bulletproof and went on to E24 M6 and E28 M5, which subsequently led to building E30 M3 and so on.
Both the M1 and this concept car are quite revolutionary and have/had technological breakthrough, but at the same time both have quite a different aim. I don't think BMW should call this an M1, and probably the reason why Mercedes-Benz called the new car SLS rather than 300SL, as the new car has nothing to do with racing and many of the technology are carry-over rather than the first in production cars, as 300SL had.
greenpony says:
01:27 PM, 09/29/09
I thought BMW had recently mentioned that they were NOT going resurrect the M1. Or was that US-only?
chopperx says:
12:09 PM, 11/ 2/09
more like an M6 than an M1.... this car will probably be the next 6-series.