After much success in racing during the 70’s, BMW needed a car to replace the aging 3.0 CSL. BMW decided to scrap their previous front-engine, rear-wheel drive platforms and instead use the more sophisticated mid-engine layout.

The M1 was a costly project that was set to put BMW on top of the supercar world. They did this by employing the best people the industry. The design was handed over to Giorgio Giugiaro of Ital Design while construction and manufacturing was headed by Lamborghini.

Racing of the M1 was hindered due to the massive amounts of cars required for homologation (400). To solve this problem, BMW started their own Procar league in which F1 drivers completed in races which followed the F1 schedule. The Procar league was the answer to BMW’s slumping sales and race history.

engine	Inline-6
position	Mid Longitudinal
valvetrain	DOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl
displacement	3498 cc / 213.5 in³
bore	84 mm / 3.31 in
stroke	93.4 mm / 3.68 in
compression	9.0:1
power	350.5 kw / 470.0 bhp @ 9000 rpm
specific output	134.36 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	bhp per tonne
torque	382.34 nm / 282.0 ft lbs @ 7000 rpm
body / frame	Fibre-Glass Boady over Box-Section Steel Frame
driven wheels	RWD
f brake size	mm / in
r brake size	mm / in
front wheels	F 40.6 x 17.8 cm / 16.0 x 7.0 in
rear wheels	R 40.6 x 20.3 cm / 16.0 x 8.0 in
steering	Rack & PInion
curb weight	1020 kg / 2249 lbs
wheelbase	2560 mm / 100.8 in
front track	1550 mm / 61.0 in
rear track	1576 mm / 62.0 in
length	4360 mm / 171.7 in
width	1824 mm / 71.8 in
transmission	5-Speed Manual
gear ratios	2.42:1, 1.61:1, 1.14:1, 0.846:1, 0.704:1, :1
final drive	4.22:1
top speed	~309.0 kph / 192.0 mph
0 – 60 mph	~4.4 second