40 years of BMW M1

All sorts of anniversaries shape the action at Techno Classica 2018 in Essen. The world’s most popular classic car exhibition is providing the meeting point for the international classic scene for the 30th time. From 21 to 25 March 2018, it offers the ideal frame to celebrate the landmark birthdays of some outstandingly fascinating models. At Essen, BMW Group Classic is looking back on the debut of the BMW M1 40 years ago. The mid-engined sports car with its timeless design and motor-sport history is one of the milestones in the company’s heritage. Ten years previously, the BMW 2800 CS had already ushered in the era of “large coupés”. These models were similarly the defining representative of their era both on the road and on the race track. BMW M1: Italian styling, Bavarian engine-building artistry. The common feature of the BMW M1 and the brand’s large coupés is their characteristic harmony combining aesthetics and sportiness. The body styling masterminded by Italian designer Giorgio Giugiaro gave the BMW M1 – only 1.14 metres in height – an Italian profile. The car’s inline six-cylinder engine was by contrast a masterpiece from Munich. Just like the vehicle concept, the drive technology was conceived to master the challenges on the race track and meet the requirements for being licensed as a road-going vehicle.