In a parallel universe, BMW would have followed a few super sports cars on the M1. Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini start a new every decade. However, BMW is not an exotic brand. It is a massive vehicle conglomerate with dozens of models that can be managed and a conclusion to protect at the end of the business day.
Over the decades, there have been attempts to introduce another flagship machine. The nearest BMW, which ever came, was next in 2019 with the Vision M. However, the hybrid super sports car with medium engine was left on the proverbial cutting room floor. As journalists and enthusiasts, we never miss the opportunity to ask BMW’s top brass whether something is in the works in the sense of a reborn M1.
BMWblog Organized a panel in the Concorso d’Elaza Villa d’Este at the weekend. Of course we brought the topic with none other than the M -boss. Frank van Meel told us that in the past there was “some ideas” about an M1-like model and that BMW “constantly examined” the possibility of a new super sports car. However, the reality is that there are larger priorities. The company has already been stretched thinly between the electrification and the arrival of new M cars.
“We do not want to lose the focus on our high-performance cars because we do a super sports car. I have to be honest. We always dream of it. And maybe one day we will find the right window of the opportunity to work in such a car. And the company, the BMW group, also says:” We never give up, I can not yet promise you. “
The thing with supercars is that they are undoubtedly exciting, but products with low volume. These products are usually almost completely tailor -made and require thousands of unique parts. BMW has probably not forgotten how much headache it was to develop the M1 in the 1970s, so it is understandable to follow a successor. On the other hand, the success of its latest coachbuilt models can encourage the company to rethink.
Although never officially confirmed, the price of the 3.0 csl price sign was around € 750,000. Nevertheless, BMW had no problems finding buyers for all 50 units. The Skytop Targa with 50 units, which is said to have a 500,000 euro sticker, was also a resounding success. His coupé siblings, the Speedtop, has an even larger production run of 70 cars. Nevertheless, all of these models are based on existing platforms.
The 3.0 CSL was an M4-CSL under its Batmobile retro skin. BMW created the Speedtop and Skytop models based on the M8 platform. A real super sports car would almost completely differ from the regular installation, apart from possibly parts of the drive train. The logic suggests that profitability would only be feasible if the car were rated in the millions. Would people pay seven numbers for a BMW super sports car?
Oliver Heilmer, Head of M Design, admitted that he was also enthusiastic about the idea of a Halo car to complete the extensive portfolio of BMW M. Together with Frank van Meel, you have examined the concept of a super sports car, although so far nothing has developed with production potential.
While a new M1 is a “no” for the time being, it will remain a “maybe” for the future.
