The debut of the BMW M1 Hommage concept caught the auto industry by surprise, and most of us assumed it was a one-off experiment in retro-modern cross-breeding. But BMW executives have indicated they might actually put the car (or something similar) into production. So how might a production 2012 M1 look?
As reported last week, BMW board member Herbert Diess revealed in an interview with Car magazine that the M1 Hommage concept will indeed make production. “We have the know-how, we have the right engine, we even have the infrastructure to build such a car,” he said.
Our two new illustrations show how the sports car might look when it reaches production. We’ve given the M1 a normal rear window, some more modern wheels, a revised front fascia (to meet regulations), and a few less complicated lines.
Although the M1 Hommage concept has a strong connection to the M1 BMW produced between 1978 and 1981, the road-going version of the concept will probably not wear the M1 nameplate. A mid-engine setup will be part of the equation but, unlike the original, three engine choices will be available — presumably of the six, eight and ten-cylinder variety.
Powered by an up-rated version of the company’s popular 5.0 liter V10 engine, the top-of-the-line model would take on the Audi R8 and Porsche 911. So far, development has been handled exclusively by BMW’s M division, the sources say.
When exactly the car will enter production remains to be seen. But as BMW design boss Chris Bangle recently said, “a good concept realizes itself in a short amount of time.”
