In the late 1970s, Italian manufacturer Lamborghini entered into an agreement with BMW to build a production racing car in sufficient quantity for homologation, but conflicts arose that prompted BMW to produce the car themselves.
The result was sold to the public, from 1978 to 1981, as the BMW M1. It is the first mid-engined BMW to be mass-produced, the second is the BMW i8. It employs a twin-cam M88/1 3.5 L six-cylinder petrol engine with Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection.
BMW M1 evolution
| BMW M1 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Production | 1978–1981 457 built |
| Designer | Giorgetto Giugiaro |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3,453 cc M88/1 DOHC I6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm (102.4 in) |
| Length | 4,361 mm (171.7 in) |
| Width | 1,824 mm (71.8 in) |
| Height | 1,140 mm (44.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,300 kg (2,866 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | None |
The BMW M1 Procar Championship, sometimes known simply as Procar, was a one-make auto racing series created by Jochen Neerpasch.
The series pitted professional drivers from the Formula One World Championship, World Sportscar Championship, European Touring Car Championship, and other international series against one another using identically modified BMW M1 sports cars.
