REPORT: BMW debuting sustainable sports car concept in Frankfurt
BMW M1 Hommage – Click above for high-res image gallery
Busy, busy. BMW starts the day by leaving F1. And it looks like for lunch they're bringing a green sports car to the Frankfurt Auto Show. Maybe. According to Autotelegraf.nl, the new sustainable sports car concept will be inspired by the BMW M1 Hommage concept and will feature all the latest and greatest BMW EfficientDynamics (auto stop/start, regenerative brakes, electric powersteering, etc). But the hits don't stop there -- look for the concept to be built from sustainable materials, too. Big question: will this car be just a concept, or will a sustainable sports car actually make its way to dealers? Dunno. But the Dutch word is that BMW is studying the viability of said project and is planning on a limited release two-door showcasing their best environmental kung fu by 2012. Again, we just don't know, and we're not quite willing to hold our breath yet.
Gallery: BMW M1 Hommage
[Source: Autotelegraf.nl via Motor Authority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Yaroukh 1:10PM (7/29/2009)
We don't want Hommage-inspired! We want Hommage!
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auto.design 1:15PM (7/29/2009)
If BMW decides to make a sustainable sportscar, I'll be first in line. VW's dropped the ball with the Blue Sport, so let's hope this actually sees the light of day.
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zamafir 2:34PM (7/29/2009)
The TT TDI isn't a sports car? The only difference between it and a production blusport is the engine's position in the chassis.
auto.design 8:37PM (7/29/2009)
I'd have a hard time choosing between the TDI TT and whatever BMW throws out there because I'm a huge Audi fan, but unfortunately the TDI isn't available here, so I didn't really consider it. I only mentioned the Bluesport because VW had put out the possibility of it coming to the states
jim 1:26PM (7/29/2009)
Sustainable materials? Are they going to make it of corn syrup?
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AMcA 1:53PM (7/29/2009)
Cars are built from sustainable materials. Steel, aluminum and other metals are quite intensively recycled. Indeed, your car today - at least the metal parts - is probably made to a susbstantial extent of recycled material.
And cars are otherwise one of the most recycled products on the planet.
This is all window dressing. "Look, we're greener than that other guy!"
Farris 3:46PM (7/29/2009)
So, if metals are sustainable, technically they're just saying "We're making a car from metal, not any of that cool carbon fibre stuff that everyone else is using."?
housecor 1:27PM (7/29/2009)
Ugly. Don't care for the dual badges on the rear, hideous wheels, and it looks nothing like a BMW. If it didn't have badges I'd guess it was a kit car.
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Redline 2:33PM (7/29/2009)
I agree, that is one ugly mother, even by BMW styling standards.
Farris 3:43PM (7/29/2009)
History. Learn it.
http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/1981_BMW_M1_Procar_Body_Kit_For_Sale_Rear_1.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GSwBVYXPMs
housecor 3:56PM (7/29/2009)
A piece of history that's clearly not worth repeating. It was ugly in '80 too.
Art 1:33PM (7/29/2009)
purists will e-kill me, but if BMW can make a lambo/ferrari competing sports car ala MB's SLS, it'll easily be worthy of a M1 badge
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IronReda 1:52PM (7/29/2009)
This car looks like a squinting nerd with buck teeth
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Richard 2:20PM (7/29/2009)
Well, in fairness they did pull their headlights from the GM parts bin (labeled "pre-shrunk taillight assembly, camaro)" I believe).
Kevin 2:12PM (7/29/2009)
The concept shows great promise and direction, but to turn it into a production vehicle (as is) would be a mistake.
The front fascia needs work. For starters, the kidney grille is too large. The width is perfect, but the grille needs to be shortened vertically. The front lights and air dam are near perfect, but turn signals need to be incorporated to the fascia (preferably on the body, but under the lights).
Also, small and round fog lights would look nice in the corners of the air dam.
The dual BMW badges on the rear look tacky. Remove both, and relocate one to the center of the rear body, directly above the M1. And can BMW please get rid of the rear windshield treatment? Bleech!
Also, they should consider lengthening the car, as the original M1's were. If you ignore the front and rear, the body looks like a direct knockoff of a Ferrari F430.
After going through the album, the BMW M1 Hommage looks like a CGI rendering and less like a real vehicle. Just my $0.02.
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Kitko 2:20PM (7/29/2009)
Now, what exactly can it sustain? Flames of hell as it's ugly as sin?
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dinnercoat 2:37PM (7/29/2009)
Heh ok that was pretty amusing. And I agree, the car does not look that great. At all.
Venom 2:23PM (7/29/2009)
Why are they making a car they already made?
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twg 3:48PM (7/29/2009)
"BMW M1 Hommage looks like a CGI rendering and less like a real vehicle. "
I assure you it's real. I was in Munich last month. The M1 Hommage was in the lobby of the BMW Museum. The first thing you see when you walk in the door. And except for the insides of the wheels being painted day-glow orange (a call-back to the original BMW 'turbo' show/research car) it looks even better in person.
I like the idea. Make it light by todays standards (under 300lbs). Use a bored and stroked version of the 335i's straight six boosted to maybe 450hp, give it a really long sixth (seventh?) gear, add all of their 'efficient dynamics' goodies, and you could have a supercar that gets low 30's mpg in mixed driving. Maybe better.
Heck, my 335i gets mid 20's mpg in mixed driving - and that's with a heavy foot.
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twg 4:19PM (7/29/2009)
um, that's under 3000 lbs, obviously...
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