BMW M1 (2012) – more news

Is this how the 2012 BMW M1 will look?

A BMW M1 to be launched in 2012, based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept from the Frankfurt Motor Show. Rumour or fact?

Last week we speculated on the likelihood that BMW will produce a new ‘Supercar’ based on the Vision ED Concept we saw at Frankfurt. But it’s not just Cars UK speculating on the chances – the whole Interweb is playing the same game, and coming to very similar conclusions.

We still have doubts about using the M1 moniker and pinning it to an hybrid car pitched at well under £100k. It seems an odd move by BMW, but of course BMW isn’t saying anything, so although all the speculation is probably well-founded, the re-birth of the M1 badge may not be something BMW are even considering.

The latest image we’ve seen has been produced by Edmunds in the US. They too believe that the new M1 will feature the same platform as the Vision ED Concept – a 1.5 litre 3-pot engine coupled to electric motors with 356bhp and a sub-4 second 0-60mph – but dump the glass doors whilst retaining many of the styling cues from the Vison ED, with a splash of BMW M1 Homage thrown in to the mix.

It’s all speculation. But a source at BMW has told us that the powertrain in the Vision ED is completely viable and almost ready to go in to production. Not only that, but BMW are intending to utilise the technology – and variations of it – across many models in the BMW range.

All speculation at this point. But it does look very likely.