Rumormill: twin-turbo V10 BMW supercar coming in 2012
Mercedes has the SLR McLaren. Audi has the R8. Porsche has the 911 Turbo and GT2. Only BMW is lacking a range-topping supercar, so how does the Bavarian automaker carry the mantle of "the Ultimate Driving Machine"? If the latest reports are to be believed, BMW may finally be coming around and producing a successor to the long gone but not forgotten M1 supercar.Unlike its predecessor, the anticipated BMW sports car would be more nose-heavy than tail-happy, with a twin-turbo version of the M5's glorious V10 producing an estimated 625 hp from its position up front and, of course, driving the rear wheels. The chassis would draw on BMW's success with the Sauber team in Formula One and feature full carbon-fiber construction, as well as such high-end performance components as carbon-ceramic brakes and Kevlar bucket seats, substantially cutting down weight compared with the gargantuan M6 coupe. Sticker price would be an appropriately exotic €300,000, although a (relatively) lower-end version with a twin-turbo V8 could also be considered for substantially less.
[Source: Auto Zeitung via Motor Authority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Freestyle4x4f150 7:00PM (3/19/2008)
Sweet, looks badass!
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Chase 9:18PM (3/19/2008)
You know, for all how awesome it is, I've never seen a lot of BMW's best cars as truly following BMW's historic spirit. Though it would probably be far less effective as a halo car, I truly lust to see a street legal race car based on the 1-series.
While I'm dreaming, super-strip/lighten it to 2400 lbs, give it a 400 hp version of the 3.0L biturbo, add DTM-without-the-fins bodywork, and bring back that wonderful white with blue and red stripe paint. Ironically, something like that could be sold for about 70k, but it wouldn't be a halo-car without a halo-car price...
It would be a classic before it even hit showrooms. /sigh
united316 9:40PM (3/19/2008)
living near the greer sc plant, they have this engine in a red bmw x6 right now. I have seen it in person and the person that was driving it let me take a look at the engine bay. it was massive i was leaving work at the same time behind him as we got on to I-85 and merged he was GONE!!!!!!!!!!! that thing sure could freekin move....... it is what they will use in a version of the M for the x5
willis 7:03PM (3/19/2008)
I think in the time of a near, if not imminent, oil crisis, a company releasing a car such as this is nothing short of socially irresponsible. Why is BMW investing their resources in cars such as these? It makes no sense anymore - maybe five to ten years ago, but not anymore. Any the world looks at the Americans when they think waste....jeez!
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Scorch 7:17PM (3/19/2008)
How many of these do you think they'll really sell? Not enough to make a speck of difference on global oil consumption.
willis 7:26PM (3/19/2008)
It's the principle Scorch....the principle, man. They could have funneled that money into R&D, instead they're irresponsible for the sake of turning a huge profit.....and why again aren't they bring the 1-series as a diesel to the US? Right....the euro....it's a money thing...so let's bring a V10 monster twin-turbo where they still turn a profit immediately rather than recoup over time. It's all about greed versus economic patience and social responsibility ....good job BMW.
DIRETTORE 8:33PM (3/19/2008)
* WILs gota good point. But dont think that manufacturers make instant profit on halo cars. The extensive R&D, etc. More often than not, they loose. Every Porsche 959 was sold at a loss. Even the Bugatti at > $1Million is sold at a loss as well.
Having said that, the M1 was the most purest & truest BMW ever. Dont forget, it was originally designed to be a Lambo, but they were having trouble at the time so it was done by BMW.
So, yes, socially irresponsible, guilty as charged. But you know what? Even vegetarians need Tabasco sauce! Amen! ;)
Chase 8:56PM (3/19/2008)
Super cars from high-volume sellers like BMW are created purely for marketing reasons. When considering that BMW is a pioneer in hydrogen fuel, wouldn't it be socially irresponsible for them not to make a car that brings mass-market attention to their amazing technology?
And anyway, what exactly is socially irresponsible in using more fuel than the next car? Using fuel doesn't cause problems, its emissions that cause problems. Considering this car would meet the amazing emissions regulations of tomorrow, its affects on the environment would be lower than a Honda Fit of today.
Will Design for Food 12:57AM (3/21/2008)
@ DIRETTORE
Actually, the M1 was never meant for production at all. The story goes like this...they wanted to develop a car specifically for racing. However, back then one of the rules was at least 400 cars needed to be produced and sold to the public in order to qualify to race. They were cash strapped back then and weren't able to develop the car in house. So they had Lamborghini design the car. However, halfway through the project Lamborghini ran out of money, and BMW literally had to take the molds for the body back from Lamborghini. BMW ended up finishing the car, sold their 400 and the rest was history. To this day, the M1 is the only mid-engine car BMW has ever produced.
Nick 7:03PM (3/19/2008)
If they're going to do it, they should do it right and just make it mid-engined (that is, rear-mid-engined). There's already the M6 for FR V10 Coupe thrills, I see no point in using the same formula yet again.
PS. The F1 team is Sauber in name only, simply out of respect for the founder. The entire operation is pure BMW nowadays.
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hashiryu 8:19PM (3/19/2008)
In Sauber's factory, using Sauber's windtunnel with Sauber's personnel etc etc.
Shawn 10:36AM (3/20/2008)
Absolutely right about the Sauber. I like that BMW has kept Sauber's name on it, his team did a great job. But BMW owns all that now, none of it is owned by Sauber anymore.
3seriesisking 7:05PM (3/19/2008)
Please, oh please, oh please!!!!
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Franz 7:07PM (3/19/2008)
Ditto.
meshies 7:31PM (3/19/2008)
Yes. I have been saying this for years. BMW should bring back the 8 series in a super car version. Its the only thing they are missing.
tristan590@tradeyourpics.com 7:09PM (3/19/2008)
niiiiicee ;-)
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HotRodzNKustoms 7:16PM (3/19/2008)
I think BMW already proved they can't sell supercars.
The Z8 which was certainly on the same level as any 911 of the time was a total flop. In my eyes at least
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Carlos 7:25PM (3/19/2008)
That wasn't a true super car though. It was more GT car than anything.
HotRodzNKustoms 7:27PM (3/19/2008)
It was a super car as much as a 911 Turbo or (if they made) a R8-esque car.
Fooman 5:48AM (3/20/2008)
umm...
As a BMW nut, the z8 was nto a super car, any more then a Bentley. It was an expensive 2 seat GT car.
e46 MS CSL or GTR... that is a supercar.