BMW M1 Protoype Spied?

Or maybe just a great Photoshop?
by Clinton Deacon
May 5, 2008 8:22 AM
Filed Under: Artist Renderings, BMW, German, Spy Photos

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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good

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by antony | May 5, 2008 8:26 AM
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

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by skulinex | May 5, 2008 8:39 AM
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

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by nardow12 | May 5, 2008 8:49 AM
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

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by nardow12 | May 5, 2008 8:45 AM
it looks done up.. if its original, then please do change some designs.. it looks like an M3.. :P

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by wolff | May 5, 2008 8:48 AM
I'd rather see a M1 look like M3 than the M1 Homage :P

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by nardow12 | May 5, 2008 8:50 AM
Yeah and I'd rather see it look like an actual M1 than the Homage or an M3. Or whatever this thing is.

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by Kaamraan | May 6, 2008 6:17 PM
looks a lot like Audi R8...

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by si1982 | May 5, 2008 8:52 AM
Before reading the article, just looking at the picture, kind of thought it looked sort of bit like Audi R8.

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by autoque | May 5, 2008 8:53 AM
Looks like an Audi R8 and an early 90's Fairlady Z had illegitimate relations...And got the M3 nose job.

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by mustang5507 | May 5, 2008 9:25 AM
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.

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by ShAwNeX | May 5, 2008 9:30 AM
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..

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by catch22 | May 5, 2008 9:31 AM
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:)

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by zdenda20 | May 5, 2008 9:32 AM
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.

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by worldcarfan87 | May 5, 2008 10:10 AM
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

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by BabyMilo | May 5, 2008 10:11 AM
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.

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by badis | May 5, 2008 10:34 AM
This car looks like the end product of an Audi R8 combined with an M3.

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by The_woo_factor | May 5, 2008 10:41 AM
An R8 copycat. Face it.

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by The_woo_factor | May 5, 2008 10:46 AM
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.

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by Menbal | May 5, 2008 10:46 AM
I'll take two! Its the nicest thing I've ever seen "from" BMW. Who made sure is a genius ;) Thumbs up..

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by deltaboxx | May 5, 2008 11:02 AM
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.

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by AG4 | May 5, 2008 11:25 AM
nonetheless it still looks good... bmw should go on here and take a look i must say... sweet design... unique just like the R8

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by carcrazy1234 | May 6, 2008 7:07 AM
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.

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by ceven | May 5, 2008 11:28 AM
what are red parts in front of front headlight...and behind front wheel...parts from photoshoped M3?

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by faya | May 5, 2008 11:37 AM
this is an audi r8 with plastic panels mounted that make it look like a modern bmw m1... a fake!

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by smokeonit | May 5, 2008 12:30 PM
looks exactly like a mixture of the 3 and 6 series, def. a photoshop one.

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by catchmyshadow | May 5, 2008 12:43 PM
yeah, too bad, somebody at the CSS already found the background orginaly comes from a GT40 pic, and the rims are from the Mazda Kabura Concept. Too bad, because whoever did this, he made it far better than the guys from BMW designing the M1 Homage. Even if this would be a front engined car, it would be great as a 6er replacement or something.

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by afterace2 | May 5, 2008 1:13 PM
Spectacular! looks a lot great than the m1 homage...I like it very much! It's prettyer than the R8 and SLR too!!

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by RCarvalho | May 5, 2008 2:03 PM
oy my god...it's great..!

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by Pentium | May 5, 2008 2:50 PM
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, BUILD IT!!!!! MASTERPIECE

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by X5M | May 5, 2008 2:57 PM
It might be a Photoshop, but I've got wood

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by v1p3r | May 5, 2008 3:18 PM
the gas cap pretty much gives it away. looks like it was chopped from an R8 sideblade. good photoshopping though. car looks awesome :D

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by motoriety27 | May 5, 2008 3:28 PM
It is photoshop. That is why its says RENDERING.

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by vadizzel | May 5, 2008 5:02 PM
Oho ho ho ho ha ha! yeah baby! you got them talking now - let the games begin, I certainly do not care if this cars front looks like an M3 coz last time i checked the R8 borrowed it's grill from what? an A4 being the pioneer of Audi and the rest of Audi and VW followed suit. so why should this be any different from BMW - All you have to do is raise your hands to BMW for such a good job done. This is a good job and not untill we see it in the flesh or until after it's launched can pipo then criticise it. I say so far so good an it's a damn good job. Well done boys and thank you so much for continuing with the M3's DNA, i love it.

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by Wisp | May 5, 2008 5:08 PM
It is a M3 with new proportions made with photoshow. That might be clear. And that's why I think, it's not a good choise for a new BMW. every car should be unique, even in details and overall lines. And I see very less equalities with R8 by Audi!

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by xlumino | May 5, 2008 5:22 PM
I can't see an R8 in this car, it has the Evo X headlights and M3 hood, front bumper ...

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by Speedoholic | May 5, 2008 5:24 PM
I have tried to see the R8 DNA there and the only bells that i hear are R8 on this car are" damn! here comes a rival". Pipo there is no R8 DNA on this car, face it R8 has Lamborghini DNA so why not say that this car has a bit of everything, Ferrari, BMW and class. If this is a fake then Audi had better hire this guy and fast coz if BMW get him, he will definatley give BMW a stunning rebirth. This car definatley looks better than an R8. It doesn't have that tupper ware black plastic the R8 wears so proudly.

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by Wisp | May 5, 2008 5:41 PM
Photoshop. Next!

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by Penner | May 5, 2008 5:45 PM
its just a M3 streched with photoshop... M1 looks nothing like this...and if it dose, My massege to BMW is: "wtf r u doing??? u make fantastic concept then u ruin it when makeing it?!"

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by shaahinMT | May 5, 2008 6:09 PM
fantastic? please..

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by Bernardo | May 5, 2008 6:30 PM
evo 10 headlights

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by saint_dracula | May 5, 2008 8:14 PM
8 series?

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by shanntheday | May 5, 2008 8:29 PM
Wow! It looks almost as lame as the first Homage Renderings! It looks like a squashed up M3 with, yes, Evo X headlights. I'll take a 1980 M1 in White please

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by Kaamraan | May 5, 2008 9:28 PM
This is a photochop...but its a very highquality one...if you ask me, this would make for a VERY nice 8series replacement, the long front hood would support a M5/M6 V10 or possibly all new V12. I know its fake, but i'ld hope this render/photoshop was done by a BMW designer.

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by Xanavi23 | May 5, 2008 10:02 PM
Hey guys, whatever photochop or no photochop i like this car. i like the head lights alot - they too seem to have the day light running (this is not an R8 copy please well at least we all know the RS4 started this sh.t and it's good). As for the engine, i'd bet they'd think of ugrading the engine that propelled the Mclaren to top of the 'quick food'chain - This car is lekker mi broer!!!!

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by Wisp | May 5, 2008 10:19 PM
I'm a pro graphic designer (15yrs). I really know photoshop and I believe this may be photoshop for one reason, the crack in the pavement just underneath the passenger door is a repeat of the crack closest to it. Take a close look, the ridges and contours have too many shared edges and properties for this to be coincidence. That would be my only reason for this assumption, otherwise this is flawless and a great design.

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by mechamat | May 5, 2008 10:36 PM
Yep i too am a graphic designer and its definitely a photoshop job, but not a bad looking car

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by mortz | May 6, 2008 12:18 AM
Im sorry you guys but this is just one AMAZING photoshoped picture... It looks like an Audi r8 and bmw m3 had a baby. Not to mention when has a spy photo EVER came out as clear as this?

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by wjaprep | May 5, 2008 11:00 PM
WELL-DONE Photoshoped picture!!

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by ahmadation | May 5, 2008 11:20 PM
It's all on Flickr. http://flickr.com/photos/rom1mag/with/2468689396/

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by stillthewhizz | May 5, 2008 11:39 PM
sorry guys but it isnt real, here is a post from the guy who made it with his work in progress and showing how he made it http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=slv-tyc7&lp=xx_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.forocoches.com%2fforo%2fshowthread.php%3ft%3d883560

and here is the background that was just fliped

http://www.dieselstation.com/pictures/view/Ford/GT40/Ford-GT-wallpaper-ds104-i244.html

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by janobr | May 6, 2008 1:10 AM
zooooom on C-PILAR.....IT'S FAKE...for sure it's been done on photoshop....but think about it as bmw m3 new CSL.. MMMMMMM.WHAT DO YOU THINK????????

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by bassam | May 6, 2008 1:18 AM
of course it's a photoshop job lol , not bad indeed...im just happy to see that there is some kind of resurected interest in a bmw's supercar lol..even thought the photoshop one looks good i rather like they build something close to the m1 hommage lol, the m1 hommage has more authenticity lol...but they need to stop the Bullcrap with the CS and the m1 hommage,come on bmw, lift the veil off the mysteries lol

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by moko | May 6, 2008 3:34 AM
Thats excellent photoshop work!

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by kevoluetion | May 6, 2008 6:58 AM
Please BUILD IT !!!

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by driv3r | May 6, 2008 9:08 AM
lets face it its actually an R8 with M3 bodykit.. audi still better for being original..

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by sdman | May 6, 2008 9:30 AM
it's a great photoshop :)

Original:

http://up.autotitre.com/forum/up/d04225ac77.jpg

After:

http://up.autotitre.com/forum/up/4db953cfde.jpg

Final:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080505.001/photo1/bmw-m1-protoype-spied

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by simK | May 6, 2008 11:01 AM
Well, there is no Hoffmesiter kink and around the rear window it looks too much like an R8...Must be a fake!

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by schagtai | May 6, 2008 11:22 AM
So these are Alfa Romeo 159 Headlights with M3 bodykit, he's very talented ...

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by Speedoholic | May 6, 2008 11:28 AM
awesome photoshop. bit obvious though, if you think R8 with alfa headlights. still, someone should drop a copy of this on bangle's desk.

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by Lucifa | May 6, 2008 12:30 PM
BMW should hire You man!!

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by afterace2 | May 6, 2008 1:56 PM
Photoshop or not photoshop it´s an awsome car! Very good design! Looks perfect

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by Paulds | May 6, 2008 6:00 PM
Looks like an M10 not an M1. M1 will be the M line of the 1 series. Also, this is 100% photoshop because of the side reflector's, which is desgin by USA photoshoper. I got some photos of the Z10 and it looks like the M1 which posted in this site.

My opinion, might be wrong might be correct. Good Luck BMW which you all the best.. ;)

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by aalreziza | May 6, 2008 6:36 PM
BMW is under the pressure of illustration makers The design to make is far too hard. But look at number of comments, Jss...

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by alessandro | May 6, 2008 7:38 PM
I think doesn't look too bad although isn't better than M1 homage. Besides i don't think that always exclusive BMW will imitate R8 body profile

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by driver | May 6, 2008 11:06 PM
oh my god! they changed the wheels like i wanted tttoooo :D. ooohh, how sweet of BMW ;). tanx guys! have to say it looks much better than in the previous photos

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by norther | May 7, 2008 1:02 AM
fake the background is B&W

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by spamme | May 7, 2008 3:19 AM
Ok so, I'm a spy and I actualy get to the new M1. Instead of taking multiple pictures quickly from various angles I take my time and simply take one picture from an angle which would be most suiting for a front cover of a magazine. Right...

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by mps | May 7, 2008 11:14 AM
All you guys who said R8 imitation, how wrong and obseessed you are with the R8 coz some guy there has posted the websites where it clearly shows that it was an Alfa and an M3 used in this photshop. So stop with this R8 imitation crap is bollocks and should stop now b4 a Fiat 500 is accused of looking like an R8.

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by Wisp | May 7, 2008 1:14 PM
BMW did say that they're planning to build a supercar called M10. It's an absolute scorcher; 0-60mph in 3.3 secs.

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by BMWdude | May 13, 2008 1:17 PM
YESSS!!!! That's the car with a 5.0l V10 quad-turbo right??? I'm sick of people thinking BMW has accepted defeated by Audi and Merc!!! It's bout time BMW does something to show their superiority!

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by Decypha | May 22, 2008 11:57 AM
It looks more like a nissan 300zx.

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by mwsdr | June 18, 2008 10:20 AM

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