New BMW M1 - the Green Supercar

BMW are planning a new Supercar - a 'Green' M1. BMW M1 Hommage pictured.

BMW are planning a new M1 Supercar based on the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show by 2012.

It’s been on the cards for years – a range topping Supercar from BMW. The last was the M1 from the late ’70s (actually conceived as a joint project between BMW and Lamborghini), which is an oft forgotten and much underrated Supercar. Still immensely capable – and feeling like a much more modern car than it is – it was BMW’s first real foray in to Supercar territory.

Earlier this year BMW took the M1 Homage (or Hommage, if you’re German) to the Melbourne motor show, a concept designed to show what BMW thought a new M1 for the 21st century would look like. And in truth it seemed like nothing more than what it purported to be – an homage to the original M1. But the reveal of the BMW Vision ED Concept at Frankfurt last week has put a whole new slant on the possibilities.

It now seems pretty clear that BMW intend launching a new M1, but a very ‘Green’ version based on the Vision ED Concept. It will feature the 1.5 litre, 3-pot engine featured in the Vision Ed together with the electric motors which together will give performance that is at least equivalent of a current M3. Which is none too shoddy.

The BMW M1 Homage and Vision ED Concept

The technology in the Vision ED is almost production ready. The new M1 may not be a Supercar in the profligate sense we know it – and BMW will probably aim the M1 in the sites of cars like the R8 and 911 rather than the real Supercar heights – but it’s still an enticing prospect.

So what will it look like, this new BMW M1? We’re pretty sure it will take its design cues not only from the Vision Ed but also from the M1 Homage. And in truth, they’re not that different.

Take away the glass doors on the Vision – which would probably never pass side-impact regulations anyway – and round off the corners of the M1 Homage and you’re not a million miles apart. The same stubby tail; the same flowing lines at the side rising to the rear wheel arches. It doesn’t take a great leap of imagination to morph the two.

It will certainly be an interesting addition to BMW’s range. And score a ‘Greenie’ point or two in the process.