BMW M1 Protoype Spied?

BMW M1 Protoype Artists Rendering

Or maybe just a great Photoshop?

A completely undisguised photo from a hangar in Spain of what appears to be a prototype for the BMW M1 has turned up on freshtarmac.com, the debatable question we now need to resolve is, is this real? Or is it just a damn good photoshop? Either way, we are united in the WCF office that the styling of the M1 shown above destroys the best efforts of the BMW designers with the M1 Homage. The front fascia design borrows a number of elements from the M3 on this prototype, while the overall body profile looks strikingly similar to the Audi R8.

Our message to BMW can now be put simply - BUILD IT!!!!

Source: Freshtarmac via Autoblog

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antony

good

May 5, 2008 4:26 am

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Skulinex

Photoshop, if it's supposed to be the replacement of the M1, it would be a mid engine vehicle, and that picture shows all the traits of a front mounted engine

May 5, 2008 4:39 am

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1 reply

NardoW12

It does look like a front engine from that pic,but for the vented hood, it may not be functional on a mid engine car, I wouldn't mind if they put it there, looks great I think

May 5, 2008 4:49 am

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NardoW12

I like the design of this M1...master design if it's real. but the reflection on it's wheels honestly look like a CG+Photoshop to me, and the red-ish part around the rear side window also look suspicious... Anyways, BMW's designer should take a look at this. If they are proud of their M1 Homage design, this will definitely inspire them, to design a much better looking BMW supercar

May 5, 2008 4:45 am

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wolff

it looks done up.. if its original, then please do change some designs.. it looks like an M3.. :P

May 5, 2008 4:48 am

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2 replies

NardoW12

I'd rather see a M1 look like M3 than the M1 Homage :P

May 5, 2008 4:50 am

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Kaamraan

Yeah and I'd rather see it look like an actual M1 than the Homage or an M3. Or whatever this thing is.

May 6, 2008 2:17 pm

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si1982

looks a lot like Audi R8...

May 5, 2008 4:52 am

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autoque

Before reading the article, just looking at the picture, kind of thought it looked sort of bit like Audi R8.

May 5, 2008 4:53 am

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Looks like an Audi R8 and an early 90's Fairlady Z had illegitimate relations...And got the M3 nose job.

May 5, 2008 5:25 am

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SZQ

The transition between the front half and the back half of the car looks weird. It looks like they got the back half of a M3 and just pasted it on. Also the shape of the window and just the overall proportions seem weird.

May 5, 2008 5:30 am

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catch22

Apart from the kidneys, nothing much to label it as a BMW, let alone as an M1. It's most probably a fantastic photoshop job, however if that isn't the case, I would expect some more details to be reminiscent of the legendary M1..

May 5, 2008 5:31 am

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zdenda20

If anyone remembers, there was a vid on youtube of a fat chick being transformed into a model in PS a while back...the same tool was used on this M3...front bonnet has a V8 under it, CF roof, M3 rear, M3 vents behind the front wheels, M3 mirrors (im sure at least THOSE would be different on an M1 without any camo)...if that doesnt give this away, take a look at the front bonnet a bit closer...because of the "bulging" tool that was used in PS to make this look a lot wider and smaller at the same time, the lines on the front (on top of the front wheel) does not correspond with the actual shape of the bonnet...nevertheless this was a good job and I hope that the hype this picture will get will make BMW re-make a mid-engined M1:)

May 5, 2008 5:32 am

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worldcarfan87

i dont think its real, but really nice photoshopping. M1 would surely be mid mounted engine and this car has a power dome on the bonnet, so doesnt make much sense.

May 5, 2008 6:10 am

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BabyMilo

this is better than the m1 concept thing (the red/ornage object) it does remind me of the r8 with m3 grill and m3 rear end

May 5, 2008 6:11 am

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badis

com-on its obvious- FAKE!!!!100% Just point focus on the front spoiler versus the ground, its pretty clear differense. But its a pretty good done job.

May 5, 2008 6:34 am

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The_woo_factor

This car looks like the end product of an Audi R8 combined with an M3.

May 5, 2008 6:41 am

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The_woo_factor

An R8 copycat. Face it.

May 5, 2008 6:46 am

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Menbal

This Photoshop used the Audi R8 and the mitsubishi coupe concept car as the basis of the design. Its fake if you look at all the mentioned thing above and that orange front quarter bumper lights looks real fake.

May 5, 2008 6:46 am

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deltaboxx

I'll take two! Its the nicest thing I've ever seen "from" BMW. Who made sure is a genius ;) Thumbs up..

May 5, 2008 7:02 am

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2 replies

AG4

Its a Photoshop edited image of the new BMW M3. The nearly untouched M3 hood and the M3 bumper with USDM side marker lights is an obvious give away that its a Photoshop edited image of an M3.

May 5, 2008 7:25 am

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carcrazy1234

nonetheless it still looks good... bmw should go on here and take a look i must say... sweet design... unique just like the R8

May 6, 2008 3:07 am

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ceven

I like the fact that the fuel filler cap was left untouched. Original Audi R8 style, integrated in the original Audi sideblade. :D It may not be all properly done in PS, but the overall style, imo, is way better than the M1 hommage which - frankly speaking - just looks damn weird.

May 5, 2008 7:28 am

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Faya

what are red parts in front of front headlight...and behind front wheel...parts from photoshoped M3?

May 5, 2008 7:37 am

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this is an audi r8 with plastic panels mounted that make it look like a modern bmw m1... a fake!

May 5, 2008 8:30 am

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