BMW USA will be participating in the 2015 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion later this month and has come up trumps with a few photos of its past motorsport icons.
We liked the pics of the 3.0 CSL aka the Batmobile and the mid-engined M1. And because we’re nice folks here at AUSmotive we sharing these pics with you now. Check them out below and remember to click on the images to load the 2560px mega image sizing.
UPDATE 18 August: New image added above.
Another possible ‘M1’ prototype has been spotted in testing, this time at the Nürburgring. Devlopment of the widebody 1 Series seems well underway and this sighting follows last week’s ‘M1’ appearance.
The prototype captured in the images here were taken during an industry testing session at the Ring, so we can be fairly certain this is a BMW test mule, and not some crazy guy who has stuck a few bits of plastic on his car to be cool.
The fact the widebody kit only appears on the rear of the car tends to indicate BMW’s M engineers are developing the rear axle components, which are expected to be sourced from the current M3.
Apparently the test driver was pushing pretty hard and with thanks to Bridge to Gantry you can see another pic and brief video after the break.
[Source: Bridge to Gantry]
The thought of an ‘M’ badged 1 Series is one that will make most enthusiasts go weak at the knees. Talk of a baby ‘M1’ has been around for a while, but speculation has generally been a bit wishy-washy in terms of will they, or won’t they make it. BMW specialist website BimmerFile have been quite firmly placed in the yes they will build it camp and these spy shots justify their position.
So what are we seeing here? Try as it might the BMW trademark swirl disguise cannot hide the car’s flared guards (see second pic after the jump). Those guards are probably hiding some very tasty hardware, too. Namely drivetrain components from the M3, such as an adapted rear axle, including mechanical rear diff.
Wider bodywork would also allow for an increased track. Couple that with the 18″ wheels from the new M3 Competition Package and cornering stability should be improved.
Also note that the rear exhaust is dual-tipped on the left side only. No quad-tipped exhaust as on the M3. Sure, this may be part of the development process, but a single exit exhaust would allow for a less complex arrangement for a 1 Series that is already tightly packed at the rear. It’s also a bit old skool, too, which is nice.
Will this car be badged as the ‘M1’? That is not yet certain, perhaps BMW will extend its nomenclature from the X5 M and call this car the 1 M. If you’re dead against the ‘M1’ nameplate being revived, then click here to re-live the grand old days.
There’s more info, speculation and inside word on the ‘M1’ across at BimmerFile, so make sure you follow the link below to be kept up to date.
[Source: BimmerFile, via 1addicts]
If the M1 Homage has whet your appetite to learn more about the BMW M1, then I trust you will enjoy this clip from BMW-web.tv. The three minute clip gives a brief history of the car and you will also see iconic racer Hans-Joachim Stuck give his thoughts on the M1 Procar series.
Related reading
AUSringers – BMW M1 on the Nordschleife
autoblog – BMW M1 Procar race celebrates 30th Anniversary of the M1
USautoparts – BMW M1—the original M car
BMW’s stunning tribute to their 1970s supercar, the BMW M1, will make its Australian debut at the Melbourne International Motor Show in February. The BMW M1 Homage was revealed last year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original M1.
“We are delighted to be able to announce the BMW M1 Homage show car will be arriving in Australia for the Melbourne International Motor Show,” said BMW Group Australia Managing Director Guenther Seemann.
“The BMW M1 Homage is a sensational looking car that highlights both the strong dynamic Motorsport heritage of BMW, but also the talent and skill of our current designers, who created a 21st century look at how a new generation BMW M1 could look. There is no doubt the BMW M1 Homage will be a draw card for the visitors to the Melbourne show, joining with our new Twin Turbo V8-powered BMW 7 Series and X6 Sports Activity Coupé,” he said.
In 1979 the M1, powered by a 3.5 litre inline six cylinder, was Germany’s fastest production sports car. The car was immortalised, in part, by Andy Warhol’s Art Car that terrorised race tracks in the single make Procar series, which has F1 drivers Nelson Piquet and Niki Lauda among its alumni.
More pictures, including the M1 racers at Hockenheim at the Nürburgring, along with extensive press material are available after the jump.