Yesterday BMW released a short video of Adrian Van Hooydonk talking about the new M1 Homage Concept. While we could have simple grabbed the file from the BMW press site and posted on Youtube like any other automotive site, we thought we’d try something a little different. In an effort to give you a better appreciation for what the M1 (in both road and racing form) we’ve edited together a handful of related clips (including quite a bit of vintage M1 footage) throughout the talk. Enjoy.
Official BMW AG Press Release: The effects from the international financial crisis resulted in the recognition of exceptional expenses in the first quarter. Thanks to the strong operating performance, the BMW Group nevertheless remains on course towards achieving its ambitious targets for the full year. “Adjusted for the exceptional gain on the settlement of the exchangeable bond on shares in Rolls Royce in 2007, we are still aiming to post higher pre-tax earnings than last year” stated Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG on Tuesday in Munich. The BMW Group is still heading towards sales volume records for all three brands in 2008.
First it was 460 hp AMG. Then there was the 500 hp M5. Then Ingolstadt rolled out it’s 600+ hp RS6 Wagon. Okay that may be simplifying it a bit but there has been an escalation in power out of the Germany manufacturers (and the Americans to some degree) over the last five years that has raised a few eyebrows. And now, it seems to be coming to an end. Car Magazine interviewed Wolf Zimmerman, R&D boss of Mercedes AMG and he had these comments:
“We’re almost a the top in terms of power now. There’s something in the pipeline, but we’re nearly at the top. Then cars will become less powerful.”
Those are (excuse the pun) powerful words. The quote is followed up by a description of how AMG will be going green, presumably along with the other German makes as well.
Official BMW AG Press Release: To mark the 30th anniversary of the BMW M1 super sports car, BMW Group Design is presenting a homage to this legendary model as part of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2008. The BMW M1 designed by Giorgio Giugiaro was a car of superlatives and a highly emotive vehicle that was uncompromisingly primed for the race track. Spawning this development was the BMW Turbo by Paul Bracq, a revolutionary concept car which, in addition to its groundbreaking functional design, also boasted a raft of technical innovations. It is from these two unique vehicles that the BMW M1 Homage takes its cue - a design study that pays tribute to its forerunner models and an embodiment of the competence, creativity and potential of the BMW Group Design team.
“For BMW, heritage is always also a living heritage. Drawing inspiration from your own past and thereby reinventing yourself - that is exactly what the BMW M1 Homage demonstrates in impressive style.”
Dr Klaus Draeger, BMW Group Board Member, Development
While details continue to emerge out of Germany on the next generation 7 it is apparent that this car is being designed to out drive and out tech the competition. The latest spy photos have shown a vast majority of the side profile and the overall massive size of this vehicle.
The latest photos come via Ebay of Germany; anyone need a front bumper for their F01 7er? (Our sources have made it clear to us that this color will not be offered!)
We have come to learn that the official press release will be in July (07.07 we have been told), production will indeed start in September. The “official” world premiere will be Paris 2008 in October. It will hit showrooms in very late October early November.
Another solid article by the folks at Edmunds. Instead of focusing on trying to find a competitor to the 135i they simply matched it up with it’s big brother the 335i and the previous generation M3. All cars I might add that are on my 2009 shopping list. Here’s an excerpt:
Considered by most editors to be the best-of-both-worlds compromise between the larger 335i and the harsher M3, the 135i is the perfect package in many ways. On the tightest, twistiest roads, the 135i is unquestionably the car to have. Offering the perfect combination of nimbleness, suspension compliance and tractable power delivery, it is easily the most rapid car over mountain roads.
Photos of the new BMW M1 concept have hit the web. The concept car is intended to pay homage to the M1 and (if rumors are to be believed) generate interest in a potential production model. Does this mean that what you see to your right may actually point towards the long rumored mid-engined super-car? We’re doubtful but it’s certainly fun to speculate. And speaking of super-cars, Supercars.net has the entire scoop. Here’s an excerpt:
At the Villa d’Este Concours, BMW ignited passion for its heritage by reincarnating the seminal M1. The new design was shown at a private party over the weekend to generate interest in the program. It was placed alongside an original M1 as well as the 1972 Turbo Concept.
Acoustics and aesthetics blend harmoniously in the new premium Klipsch® Palladium P-3(TM) 9F floorstanding speaker designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA. This collaboration resulted in a compelling design and enhanced concert-quality sound for the company”s flagship speaker series, and audio industry authorities have seen and heard the difference.
Earlier this year, the innovative P-39F garnered a top-ten spot on Germany’s Audio magazine ranking of speaker reviews in recent years. Also, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) TechHome Division recognized the speaker as one of three finalists for the 2008 Mark of Excellence Awards in the “Best Speaker - Floorstanding Speaker” category.
As you can see in the photo the controller features the same button configuration seen in recent photos of the E90 and F01 with the updated iDrive. The idea behind the change is to allow for the driver or passenger to access data in a more efficient manner by creating shortcut buttons to common tasks and even a back button. Also seen in a recent picture of the new F01 7 Series is a thumb scroll wheel meant to allow the driver easier access to long lists of data. It’s interesting to note that we do not see that feature in the E60. From that can we expect any current generation car with the update won’t be getting that handy addition? Or is this feature only there on cars equipped with navigation (remember the E60 doesn’t come standard with the option). We’ll hopefully have more on this soon.
As we’re previously reported, the current 3 Series sedan and wagon (internally dubbed the E90 and E91) will be undergoing the usual mid-cycle refresh next year. Expect several key changes to the exterior of the car. Notably the front and rear fascia will be tweaked. Also outside, look for the rear lights to incorporate LEDs similar to the X6 design and for the addition of upgraded halo daytime driving lights.
Inside the car BMW will likely offer an updated iDrive system (pictured) complete with a vastly improved input system that will allow for quicker access to information. As previously reported on BF, the new design will be a little closer to what Audi has had for several years with it’s MMI interface. Also inside look for some of the interior trim to be slightly tweaked.
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Sections: //M1\\, Video Apr 30th, 2008 5 Comments 
