In Europe, BMW is one of the most advanced brands in terms of electric. In addition to the mainstream models we already know, and the Neue Klasse range that is coming, the German company almost launched a 1,300 hp all-electric hypercar. But the board of directors preferred to end the project.
It has been 36 years since the iconic BMW M1 left the production line. Since then, BMW has been looking for a way to launch a spiritual successor to this car. According to Steve Saxty, a connoisseur of the Munich firm, “every day at BMW, someone designs a new M1”. Many ideas have come to light over the last thirty years. But they have all remained at the project stage.
BMW Wants Its New M1
The BMW Blog media outlet reports that a fully electric hypercar almost saw the light of day recently. The car even reached the clay model stage, but it was not approved for production. Indeed, the board of directors decided to put the project on hold due to profitability and feasibility issues. Management was not convinced that the market was ready for such a vehicle.
Notably because of “the slowdown in the growth of electric car sales for a large part of 2024,” according to our German colleagues. But the project has been so far in its development that it is not impossible that BMW will pull this out of a barely dusty box before long. To reassure itself, the manufacturer may opt for a hybrid engine? Who knows.
The question is whether fans who have been clamoring for a new M1 since the 1980s are ready to go electric. In the meantime, BMW is moving forward with the upcoming arrival of an entirely new family of vehicles. The first model in the Neue Klasse range is expected in 2025. It will be the successor to the iX3. Then we will be treated to an electric M3 with 4 motors and 1,000 hp.
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