Technical interpretation

Important criteria, which were highlighted in the requirements for the project E26 – the BMW M1 – were:

• Cerb weight: lowest possible, to have overhead available for conforming with several racing regulations concerning minimum weight
• Weight balance: traction-optimised, in order to comply with the 800 hp in racetrim (ideal 50% weight on the front axle)
• Aerodynamics: smallest possible up-force together with smallest possible front area and favourable cw-coefficient
• CG-height: low (Racing) for superior road-holding
• Body: modular and fast assembly
• Engine: Basis should be the series six-cylinder block
• Suspension: adjustable with largest possible variability

Viewed in the light of the requirements above, it becomes clear why the M1 became and still is the one and only mid-engine coupé by BMW. The requirement “weight balance” was very important to development. In the meantime BMW has shown that an optimised weight balance can also be realised with a conventional arrangement. In a racing car where you have the freedom of arranging the aggregates the way you want to, mid-engine concepts clearly are advantageous.