BMW M's leadership is seriously considering reviving the M1, the brand's only mid-engine supercar ever built. Frank van Meel, head of BMW M, told Road & Track that he wants to bring back the legendary machine in a modern form.
The original M1 debuted in 1978 as BMW's answer to Ferrari and Porsche supercars. It featured a 3.5-liter inline-six engine producing 277 horsepower and served as the foundation for the M1 Procar racing series. Only 456 units sold before production ended in 1981, cementing its status as a rare collector's item worth millions today.
A modern M1 would face steep challenges. BMW currently lacks a purpose-built supercar platform and would need to develop one from scratch. The company also hasn't built a mid-engine production car since the original M1, so engineering such a machine requires significant R&D investment and manufacturing expertise.
The timing suggests opportunity. Porsche's 911 Turbo and Ferrari's F8 Tributo command six-figure prices, leaving a market gap for an exotic BMW halo car. Van Meel's enthusiasm indicates the project has internal support, though no timeline or funding commitment has been announced.
Building a modern M1 also aligns with BMW's electrification strategy. A hybrid or fully electric mid-engine supercar would differentiate it from combustion-only competitors and showcase M Division's technical prowess. Such a machine could position BMW as a legitimate supercar manufacturer rather than solely a performance tuner of existing models.
Obstacles remain substantial. Capital allocation favors profitable SUVs and electric sedans over limited-production supercars. Racing heritage alone cannot guarantee profitability. Still, van Meel's public interest signals that BMW M is exploring feasibility studies. If