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We’ve been debating whether or not this is a real photo or an expert rendering, but if it is a photoshopped image of a BMW M1 prototype, then it is very convincing. According to FreshTarmac.com, this photo was taken in a hangar in Spain. It shows a sleek two-door, probably mid-engined coupe with attributes of the new M3 incorporated into its design, especially the front fenders and hood. With BMW introducing the M1 Hommage Concept at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este last week, we hope this means that is already considering a production version. Come on BMW, build it! Thanks for the tip, John!
[Source: FreshTarmac.com]

Truth be told, the Autoblog team is split on whether or not we like the M1 Hommage Concept that was unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este this past weekend. Some of us claim that it’s genius baked in a car-shaped pan, while the rest would rather stare at flame surfacing, Chris Bangle’s ignominious contribution to automotive design, until their eyes start bleeding. Regardless, it creates discussion, and to facilitate the talk we have BMW Design Director Adrian van Hooydonk on camera after the jump talking about the car and its inspiration, the original M1.

Though the video after the jump is over eight minutes long, you’ll want to watch it all the way through to catch footage of the original M1 that was used for the photo shoot being thrashed on-track.
[Source: BMW]

BMW talks about the M1 Hommage Concept

BMW’s supercar icon, the M1, blew out the candles at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este this weekend. In honor of the car’s thirtieth birthday, BMW rolled out the new BMW M1 Homage, a concept/design study that pays tribute to the original M1 and shows what could be possible if BMW were to produce a new mid-engined sports car. Follow the jump for the breakdown.The BMW M1 Homage blends a wide, aggressive stance with intentionally retro/modern twists on the key visual elements that defined Paul Bracq’s original BMW Turbo concept and the Giugiaro-designed M1 homologation special that followed. It is instantly recognizable as an M1, particularly in profile,

 where the M1 Homage’s basic shape clearly mimics that of its forebear. BMW’s stylists also incorporated similar nods the particulars of the original,

 such as the louvered rear window; the badge placement in back; the line extending aft from the side glass; and even the wheel design, which is an exaggerated take on the ones you’ll find on the original road car. Poring over the details of the Homage is akin to going on an Easter Egg hunt.

The greatest departure is seen in front, where BMW has given the M1 Homage a sinister, imposing face. Naturally, BMW’s prominent double-kidney grille is front and center. Its joined by outboard intakes and a trapezoidal lower opening designed to swallow and direct air for both cooling purposes and aerodynamic effect. The car’s four round headlights lurk behind thin slits in the front fascia, remaining essentially invisible until they’re illuminated — a tip of the cap to the hideaway nature of the classic M1’s flip-up lamps.

There appears to be no interior, and BMW doesn’t even bother mentioning specific powertrain possibilities. The M1 Homage is strictly a design exercise meant to celebrate an icon, but it also reminds us that Munich can do the supercar thing, too. Maybe one day it will again.

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This year’s Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este has its public day tomorrow, which is when the world will presumably get its first look at the new BMW M1 concept, a stunning, modern take on Munich’s original supercar that is part of Bimmer’s 30th anniversary celebration of the classic machine. The private exhibition took place today, however, and the guys at Asphalte.ch — they were the first with live shots of the Lamborghini LP560-4 earlier this year — have once again scored a coup, snapping the new, copper-colored M1 concept in all its glory, both alone and alongside its forebears. We expect to have a lot more on this car tomorrow (assuming a press kit will be released sometime overnight), but for now, head to Asphalte.ch to see more shots of the car under the lights. Hey BMW, just pull the trigger and greenlight a production version already, because this thing is awesome.

UPDATE: Rear view (plus more photos) at Supercars.net.

[Source & Photo: Asphalte.ch]