Rendered Speculation: M Concept evisions BMW's future R8 fighter
BMW M Design Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery
We never tire of seeing unobtanium rendered by talented Photoshop jocks, and the BMW M Concept is yet another example of an adept artist bringing his vision to the small screen.
Penned by Idries Noah, the M Concept was designed as BMW's answer to the R8, packing a 540 hp 5.0-liter V10 mounted amidships and drawing inspiration from the Ferrari Dino, 250GTO and, of course, BMW's own M1 Homage. According to Noah, many of the Concept's elements were pulled from nature, particularly the sides, "where the wave is hollow when it breaks." Rhetorical flourishes aside, we're partial to the rear and side views, while the front end is more than a bit overwrought for a modern Bimmer. Still, it's better than we could do and judging by some of the Homage's detractors, Noah might be more gifted than BMW's own design studio.
Gallery: BMW M Concept Design
[Source: idi3d via Serious Wheels]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
catchmyshadow 10:07AM (6/18/2009)
looks very nice and think it is a bad sign for BMW that some artists actually design prettier BMWs than BMW itself.
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adam1drift 11:07AM (6/18/2009)
I think the M1 concept was better looking than this... the sad part is that the direction of BMW and other euro car companies (well all car companies at that) I just dont see them building one any time soon...
zamafir 11:28AM (6/18/2009)
@adam1drift: It's important to recognize BMW's shortcomings aren't the same as Mercedes and Audi. Mercedes has quite a few riots in the form of their AMG and AMG Black cars, and the SLR (Vs say just two cars, M3/M5) and Audi has a number of entertaining prospects (TT-S, TT-RS, RS4, RS6, R8, S8, etc) and both companies have even more cars coming online (RS5, etc etc). At the same time BMW is badgering their employees who aren't driving BMW cars to work.
Yes, you're partially correct, this will have a hard time being built right now given BMW's current financial situation and the amount of R&D they've been spending on cars like the X6, et-al, but that situation isn't playing out equally across the German brands, as Audi's push towards a staggering (and a bit worrisome) 40 models and Mercedes' ever increasing AMG/Black portfolio suggest.
It's just very poor timing on BMW's part (the R8 and SLR having been completed during more profitable times allowing for variants to be released now, and similar models to be planned soon if the R4 speculation is to be believed).
jon 10:10AM (6/18/2009)
No.
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audi_arena 1:00PM (6/18/2009)
Call me crazy, but I absolutely love this design. I feel like they incorperated all the cool agressive cues from the current M3 into the nasty mid engine supercar look, and kept it very original looking (which is a challenge these days considering the competition). Of course, the chances of a real-life example being built with the same proportions are slim to none, but I'm not seeing the Pontiac references here.
pickles 10:13AM (6/18/2009)
Compared to the restrained, masculine Audi, this looks like a Pontiac concept from 10 years ago. Grotesque and tacky. Did a 9-year old draw it up?
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homunculus 10:46AM (6/18/2009)
the way things are going, bmw will just release a big M with wheels.
zamafir 11:05AM (6/18/2009)
Meh, it's the norm for BMW now. I hope they do it, and use this halo car to return the brand to ligther, more driver focused cars. Just ape audi again, drop the M3's powerplant in it, make it super light, and remind all the E30/et-al owners that the magic is still there.
It shouldn’t be difficult for a company like BMW to pull this off, the M3’s already a little slower than the R8 in a straight line, dropping that 4.2 in a light mid engine chassis should allow it to handily beat the R8 on paper if not on track and bring relevance back to the brand (which has been lacking in damn near every model save the wonderful M3 and to some extent the 335i).
nzo 10:17AM (6/18/2009)
Looks pretty cool but a bit too busy with all the creases and holes and woah!
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Coolio 11:10AM (6/18/2009)
The BMW Grand Am....
futurama 12:03PM (6/18/2009)
haha... BMW Grand Am... .that sums it up nice... YUK!
DayShifter 12:37PM (6/18/2009)
Yes, this is waaaaayy over the top. And the proportions look off also....
And stop dissing Pontiac!!! LOL...........
Neil 10:19AM (6/18/2009)
Yuck....just yuck.
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Mr.Oak 10:20AM (6/18/2009)
I like the profile, but it has waaay too many scoops, vents, holes etc. Too Boy Racer, Ricer, Hot Wheels like for a BMW.
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J Who 10:30AM (6/18/2009)
Agreed! BMW should start with this guys profile and pick up the design from there. I'd like to see how that would turn out, but unfortunately we all know that would NEVER happen!
JD 10:29AM (6/18/2009)
My first reaction was: Pontiac G8 - BMW M3 fused.
I agree with you Pickles.
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DCragtop 10:25AM (6/18/2009)
i'd hate to have to wash/wax that thing
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Breakbread 10:25AM (6/18/2009)
The front section isn't consistent with the rest. In fact, it looks like a Veyron up front.
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Ersin 2:49PM (6/18/2009)
it doesn't look like a BWM
no
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Juggernaut 4:42PM (6/18/2009)
yup... i have never seen a BWM so i'll just take your word for it...
This car on the other hand... looks like a wild bodykit on the McLaren F1