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.
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We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
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Sections: //M1\\, Video Apr 30th, 2008 5 Comments 
