40 YEARS OF BMW M1.

The shape of the BMW M1 goes back to the 1972 study of the BMW Turbo designed by Paul Bracq and was created by renowned vehicle designer Giorgio Giugiaro. With the BMW M1, the Italian produced a timeless design, and its dynamic body type helped cement its place in automotive history. Thanks to its striking wedge shape, Giugiaro succeeded in impressively combining sportiness and aesthetics.

Among the key characteristics of the M1’s distinctive look are its folding headlights, flat kidney at the front, and black slats over the rear window. Above all, however, is its low height of only 1.14 metres – a fundamental design feature that allowed it to achieve a low centre of gravity for maximum cornering speeds. At first glance, it is clear that pure racing DNA lies underneath this brilliant body.

The pure performance data of the M1 engine remains evident today. The 6-cylinder in-line petrol engine of the road version delivers 204 kW (277 hp) and generates a maximum torque of 330 Nm. It draws this power from 3.5 litres of displacement. Its four valves per cylinder, which work together with mechanical injection were far ahead of their time, while its impressive top speed of around 265 km/h made the BMW M1 the fastest German road sports car of the era.

Meanwhile, it featured the typical M1 sound of the high-revving in-line 6-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. Thanks to this, owners and racing drivers continue to drive the wedge-shaped BMW with great enthusiasm to this day.