BMW M1 Homage

The BMW M1 Homage is modelled on the lines that defined the M1 designed by Giorgio Giugiaro and produced between 1978 and 1981. His body retains some measures similar to those of its predecessor, albeit with greater wheelbase.

This exercise in style, which may not be produced, aired on the "Concorso d'eleganza Villa d'Este 2008, which also could contemplate models as the Bugatti Veyron Fbg Hermès, the Lexus LF-A, the Bentley Continental GTZ Zagato The Mercedes-Benz F700 or Maserati Quattroporte Bellagio fastback.

The body has a very sharp silhouette, and is defined by straight lines and angles very marked. On the sides of the rear wings are two large gills which hypothetically would improve aerodynamics and cooling the engine, which would be located in central position. BMW has not provided any information about the characteristics of the engine.

BMW has used for the exterior a mixture of colors orange and black colours of the first reinterpret the M1. It has a small grill in a very similar to that of recent BMW and a few lighthouses that are practically only visible if they are turned on (picture).

The BMW M1 Homage has some tire design very similar to those assembled that pays homage to the M1 and a moon "enrejada, whose openings are often small and prevent spoilers see the engine from the outside (contrary to what occurs, for example, in an Audi R8, image). In the rear also highlights the two insignia of the mark, located at both ends of the body, like the M1 in 1978.

The BMW M1 1,978

The first BMW M1 was presented during the 64 edition of the Paris Motor Show in autumn 1978, as an evolution of the prototype made six years before by Paul Bracq, BMW Turbo (among other characteristics had a turbocharged engine and two-door type "Gull wings' image).

In the four years that was the M1 in the market between 1978 and 1981, there were just over 450 units, as the price they had to pay for it, 100,000 German marks at the time, was the equivalent of four BMW 323is with a couple of options.

Measures of this coupe two places were: 4.36 meters long, 1.82 wide and only 1.14 high. A Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe has the same length, but is slightly wider (1.9 m) and highest (1.17 m).

The M1 had a six-cylinder engine in line 3.5 litre engine capacity placed in longitudinal position back (behind the seats, but in front of the rear axle and parallel to the march). He had 277 hp and a power-weight ratio of 4.7 kg / hp, was able to lead the M1 to 264 kph, with an acceleration of 0 to 100 in 5.6 seconds. The manual gearbox was five marches and double disc clutch dry. The traction was to the rear wheels and had a limited slip differential.

The butt was two pieces, the bottom formed combustion chambers and cooling, while the top was the bearings of camshafts and taqués. The dry sump lubrication was by and gasoline was stored in two tanks to the left and right in front of the rear axle, each with a capacity of 58 litres.

It had some great tyres for the time (but small for what is now), measures 205/50 VR 16 in the front axle and 225/50 VR 16 in the rear. The suspension was parallelogram deformable in the two axes.

The driver and passenger were protected by a steel framework of rectangular section, a rigid plastic coated riveting. Being a sports car, its equipment was not luxurious, but among the options highlighted the air conditioning. The trunk, located under the bonnet, could host the luggage of two people for a weekend.

The M1 was designed and built from the outset as a motor car for the competition. Specifically, the project "E26", as he knew when it had not yet been named as M1, started in 1976 as the first truly exclusive car built by BMW Motorsport GmbH, a subsidiary founded by competition for the signing of Munich in 1972.

According to current regulations by then, in order to participate in the races of the "Group of Four Gran Turismo (GT), manufacturers must produce at least 400 units in 24 consecutive months of street vehicle. In addition, the model for the competition had to really resemble that of mass production.

At the beginning of their manufacture, Lamborghini could not take over the assembly as originally planned, so that "Baur, a company specialising in coach, took over the assembly of systems and mechanical components of the car. Marchesi built the chassis, bodywork TIR plastic reinforced with fiberglass and Italdesign (the company of Giorgio Giugiaro) mounted these two essential parts and added equipment and interior linings. There began the short life of M1 and his career path.

This BMW has been led by stars of Formula 1 as Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet in the "M1 proc", a competition which belongs to Group 4 GT created in 1979 by BMW Motorsport GmbH with the support of Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley. The aim was to expedite the arrival of M1a circuits, albeit through a championship itself.

This competition, in which M1 had prepared engines capable of reaching the 470 hp, was being held just before the majority of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Europe and was won by Lauda in 1979 and Piquet in 1980. The M1 also came to compete in the category of "Group 5 GT", in 1981, with a naturally aspirated engine that reached a maximum power of almost 500 hp.

That same year he was part of the grill of the championship U.S. 'IMSA GTO', in which pilots Dave Cowart and Kenpo Millar achieved victory en12 of the 16 races. In addition, the BMW sports participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1979, where he finished in sixth place with a decoration done by Andy Warhol.