The BMW M1 Homage Concept was one of the most exciting concepts to come out of the German automaker in recent years and, rightfully so, many were enthusiastic about the prospect of an Audi R8 rival from BMW. Following the M1’s unveiling, it was reported that the mid-engine supercar had been green lighted for production, but a new report indicates BMW has reconsidered that plan.
Klaus Draeger, the BMW board member heading the company’s EfficientDynamics program, revealed to AutoTelegraaf that BMW is not moving ahead with its M1 production plans.
Instead, BMW will but a greater focus on the development of green technology. “That is our biggest investment in the coming years,” Draeger said. BMW is slated to launch clean diesels and hybrids in the U.S. in the coming months.
Although car enthusiasts will be disappointed to learn that BMW is not going forward with its R8-rival, the move is probably a smart one by BMW – especially in the wake of $4 gas. The M1 was slated to hit the market in 2012, just one year after more stringent CAFE regulations will take effect. Add in the growing green movement, and BMW might have made a very Honda-esque production decision.
08/25, 1:45 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Good. It was hideous.
Why is the word “smart” linked to nothing? Click it, and it opens a blank page.
08/25, 1:50 PM
posted by:
corvette
good choice. i like the M1 concept but whats better selling 20 of those or another 50,000+ cars because your mpgs are higher than you rivals?
08/25, 1:55 PM
posted by:
neptronix
SIGH. First the supra, now this..
Why not just slap a turbo 4 or inline 6 in there and not throw away $$$$ by ditching this masterpiece to be?
in the wake of $4 gas, i would rather be buying a supra or M1 over a ferrari if i was wiping my ass with one hundred dollar bills.. so now we have less options for high performance cars that get over 20mpg hwy.. great.
08/25, 1:56 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
awww thats sad. i was excited about seeing all the comparisons between the M1 and all the other supers out there
08/25, 2:04 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
I guess BMW’s natural market of soccer moms and trophy wives doesn’t really want a sportscar after all.
08/25, 2:08 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
Fugly. Glad it’s dead.
08/25, 2:13 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
I have to say the second version of the concept they brought out that didn’t have those stupid wheels was pretty good looking but I can’t say I care to much about this while there are a bunch of other cars in its class out right now plus I am not a BMW guy. But what they should do is take whatever money they have floating around this project and work on the GINA, now that is a god damn concept!
08/25, 2:22 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Too bad. I was really looking forward to the crossover version.
08/25, 2:27 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
I guess they’re too busy spending money on craptastical SUVs like the X2, 3, 5, &6. What a waste.
08/25, 3:54 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
Bleh – that sux. I liked the M1 concept. This is starting to look like 1974 all over again. Cool performance cars getting axed, and boring, fuel efficient green cars replacing them. The mid to late 1970’s were a dark period in automotive performance history. I hope its not repeated.
08/25, 6:06 PM
posted by:
ktulu
2 bad.
beautiful car
08/25, 7:34 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
Sad day. In the 70’s BMW canceled 2002 Turbo after short run and now we wont even see modern day ///M1. Great looking concept
I hope Ford wont come up with another Mustang II, in the way of high fuel prices, ’cause it’s freaking UGLY!
08/25, 9:34 PM
posted by:
jeibal02
…wow this group of people are a bunch of idiot followers, u sit up and complain about unique designs, but everytime a new SAME LOOKING assed Audi comes out, u ****tards a happy as daisies…this was a beautiful car, and that why no one here is a designer, just a bunch of fat ****s without jobs
08/25, 10:44 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Yeah it wasn’t that pretty. I’ve seen a chop of a BMW supercar under Google Images and it look sick.
08/26, 12:01 AM
posted by:
olds307
BOUGHT MY WIFE
08/26, 1:30 AM
posted by:
maxcar
the car as a whole was kinda ugly, but it did have some innovative design moves that did look good.
08/26, 2:45 AM
posted by:
brocky
Good job BMW. You saved the world from people with bad taste from buying such an ugly car.
08/26, 5:03 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
This is sad. While the M1 Homage concept did look like flattened roadkill, the design if made to realistic proportions probably would have looked very good.
But no supercar for BMW is truly sad…
08/26, 7:39 PM
posted by:
THawkoo
You would have to be retarded to pick that over the Audi R8.
Audi R8 is a champion of design.
BMW M1 is just junk.
08/27, 7:20 PM
posted by:
wHitE rL
It’s a damn shame. I was looking forward to seeing that on the road. It has a great design.
But at least their trying to go green.