Echo of a Supercar: The 2008 BMW M1 Hommage

Unveiled at the prestigious Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in 2008, the BMW M1 Hommage was a spectacular concept car created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the original M1—BMW's first and only true supercar. Conceived under the direction of then-design chief Chris Bangle, the project's mandate was not to create a simple retro copy, but a modern reinterpretation that captured the spirit of its legendary predecessor while showcasing contemporary design. The Hommage also served as a strategic reminder of BMW's supercar heritage at a time when its rival, Audi, was enjoying immense success with the R8.  

The creation of the Hommage was a remarkable feat of speed and focus. An internal design contest was won by a young designer, Benoit Jacob, who would later lead the design for BMW's revolutionary "i" brand. A dedicated team of 25 people then had a mere four months to transform Jacob's winning sketch into a fully realized show car, a process that typically takes years. This compressed timeline fostered a raw, undiluted design that was a direct translation of the initial artistic vision.  

The resulting vehicle was a masterclass in retro-futurism. Presented in a bespoke "Liquid Orange" paint, a nod to the original's classic color, the Hommage retained the iconic low-slung, mid-engine proportions of the 1978 M1. Its design skillfully blended past and present. Key heritage cues included the slatted rear engine cover, vents in the bonnet, and, most symbolically, the twin BMW roundels placed on the outer edges of the tail—a signature of the mid-engined M1 that was the first design element approved for the project. These were fused with modern elements, such as the complex "flame surfacing" along the flanks, characteristic of the Bangle design era, and a clever solution for the headlights. With pop-up units forbidden by modern safety regulations, the designers recessed the headlamps deep within a black cutline, making them virtually "invisible" until switched on.  

One of the most compelling aspects of the M1 Hommage is the story of its intended powertrain. Officially, BMW has always maintained that the concept was purely a design study, a non-functional styling buck for which an engine was "never envisaged". However, persistent and credible reports from insiders claim that there were concrete plans to equip a production version with the formidable S85 V10 engine from the E60 M5. The concept itself was built on the axles of an E63 6 Series, a car designed to house that very engine, lending mechanical plausibility to the claim. The most likely truth is that the V10 was planned for a production supercar project for which the Hommage was a test balloon. This dream was ultimately shattered by the global financial crisis of late 2008, which made an expensive, gas-guzzling supercar financially and culturally unviable almost overnight.  

The Hommage's debut was met with a wave of excitement. The automotive press and public lauded the "stunning" design, and the internet "exploded" with fervent calls for BMW to put the car into production as a rival to the Audi R8. However, the reception was also polarizing. Some critics found the complex surfacing "fussy" and "too Bangle-esque," a departure from the clean lines of the original, with one publication famously calling it the "Ugliest Concept Car Ever".  

Despite never reaching production, the M1 Hommage has a profound and enduring legacy. Its primary influence is seen in the production BMW i8, which inherited numerous design cues, including its low stance, squinty headlights, and the aerodynamic channel formed by the C-pillar. The Hommage effectively served as the design bridge that made the i8's radical technology and futuristic aesthetic palatable to the public. Furthermore, the M1 Hommage inaugurated a successful series of "Hommage" concepts for BMW, including tributes to the 3.0 CSL and 2002 Turbo, establishing a tradition of celebrating brand heritage at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. It remains one of BMW's most captivating "what ifs"—a beautiful echo of an unfulfilled supercar dream.