The BMW M1 – A BMW Motorsport Legend Super Car
Posted by in BMW on June 27, 2011
Back in the early 1970′s BMW decided that it was high time that it took on the established supercar elite of Porsche and Ferrari and that the best way to achieve this aim was to design and build a car that could compete in the popular Group 5 race series.
Homologation rules stated that BMW would also have to build 400 of these cars for road use and so the BMW M1 was born. Sadly however, the BMW M1 race car had a troubled gestation period and its story is now regarded by many as an important lesson on how not to build a supercar.
Initially the BMW motorsport department turned to Lamborghini to use their experience to help design and build their new racer. The result was a sleek, low slung, mid engine supercar with body work designed by Ital Design and a 3.5 litre engine that could be turbocharged to produce 850 bhp in Group 5 racing spec.
Unfortunately Lamborghini was in dire financial circumstances at the time, which meant that the project suffered frequent delays and in the end the whole project had to be moved to the BMW motorsport department in Baur, Germany. However, by the time the M1 was ready to be launched in 1978, two years after its initial conception, Group 5 racing rules had changed meaning that the M1 was no longer practical.
In an effort to save the project from total disaster the head of BMW motorsport devised a one make race series called the Procar BMW M1 Championship. The series was very successful as it ran as a support race for the Formula 1 world championship, and pitted many past and present F1 stars, including Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet and Nikki Lauda, against each other in identical machinery.
Whilst the race series was a success the road car BMW M1 never really took off, even though in standard trim it produced 277 bhp, could reach sixty in 5.6 seconds and top out at 162 mph. Eventually just 456 models were built making it one of BMW’s rarest models and one that is highly sought after by enthusiastic collectors.
As a road car the BMW M1 was superb, featuring genuine supercar performance wrapped up with BMW’s legendary build quality, and considerably lower running costs than other supercars of the era. Externally the M1 was striking with its twin kidney shaped front grill, pop up BMW headlight bulbs and the heavy black slats over the rear windscreen. Read the rest of this entry »
BMW M6 Convertible Review Part 2 of 3
Posted by in BMW on June 27, 2011
Some people complain about the shifting woes of the SMG gearbox. Other complaints are how poor the BMW M6 is off the line. Maybe so, but lets see any other car fly through sharp turns at 80+ mph. The devil is in the details. The handling of the BMW M6 is tremendous to say the least. In tight traffic the car can weave in an out like it sewing a quilt. It does that without the M button engaged. To tell the truth, the M button isn’t even necessary in M6. 500 hp is Lambo and Ferrari speed. Although I must note as well it does surprise a Lamborghini or Ferrari driver that a BMW can keep pace with their car. But that is the reason that the M6 is so highly respected. Go test drive an M6 or rent one. Take it out to Pacific Coast Highway as it stretches through Laguna Beach, CA. Watch how other people in top end super cars respect you as well. It is a bargain super car to say the least.
One of the great things about the M6 are it’s styling. Gone are the square mirrors that are present on a typical 6 series BMW. The M6 has curvaceous, ovular mirrors which, besides looking better are more aerodynamic. The M6 has a full body kit and a magnificent quad exhaust. Plus the M6 badge is emblazoned on the front fenders of the vehicle. The front air scoops devour air to keep the engine as well as the brakes from over heating. Read the rest of this entry »