You Guys Know The BMW M1 Hommage Concept Is The BMW i8, Right?

"Michael Ballaban" (ballaban)
10/02/2014 at 17:36 • Filed to: BMW M1 Hommage, BMW M1, BMW i8

Back in 2008, BMW came out with its !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! concept, which looked a bit liked a futuristic M1 and was very awesome indeed. Then BMW said they wouldn't make it, and everyone sighed. But no one seems to realize that the i8 is the M1 Hommage, just in production form.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Maybe this just sort of seemed obvious to me when I remembered the concept a few weeks ago, but the two share major design cues, from the mid-engined layout, to the squinty headlights, to the wings just behind the doors. Legit, it's pretty much the same car, just one that's made the transition from concept to production. Here's the M1 Hommage again:

And here's the production version of the i8:

Alright, so there are definitely a few differences. But this is one of the first instances that I can remember that the production car was even wilder than the original concept, and it looks even better. And yes, we can definitely be cynics about that. At the time the M1 Hommage came out, we even said:

So if history is to repeat itself, perhaps this Homage is a predecessor to a toned-down limited-production version, but don't hold your breath.

So while BMW hasn't made another M1, I dare say we might have got an even sweeter deal in the end.

Note: I'm posting this to Oppo because one MATT HARDIGREE disagrees with me. But this is truth . At least as a styling exercise.

Photos credit: BMW

DISCUSSION (100)

Matt Hardigree > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 17:39

THIS IS BULLSHIT. Yes, they're both BMWs. Otherwise. Bullshit.

carcrasher88 > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 17:40

Actually, the i8 is a production version of the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, not the M1 Hommage.

http://www.netcarshow.com/bmw/2009-effic…

Michael Ballaban > carcrasher88
10/02/2014 at 17:43

Hommage came first I win.

phenotyp > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 17:45

Ha, I've said the same thing. One MATT HARDIGREE is wrong this time.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 17:46

Meh, either way it will be as outdated as a Razor flip phone in about 4 years.

The real M1 had staying power.

Cé hé sin > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
10/02/2014 at 17:54

...and has turned out to be a rather good investment if you bought one a few years ago.

Neutral President > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 17:57

Homage. Not hommage.

ZeGermanPwa > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 17:59

Weren't there rumors about a V10 sport coupe? With the recent rumors about the next-gen M5/M6 going back to V10, this seems like that could actually happen.

DiscoTReK > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 17:59

Kinja'd!!!

This. This badge location was the hook!

DasWauto > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 18:00

I have to agree. The i8 has styling elements that have carried over from the M1 homage and those create a resemblance but by nature they'd have a hard time being any more different.

Eli's Got 2 > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:00

They *cough* don't look anything alike to me... But I know nothing and winter is coming.

LongbowMk2 > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
10/02/2014 at 18:01

the M1 was out dated when it left the factory...

aimawayfromface3 > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:02

Too bad. The i8 styling makes me go "Eh." and the M1 Hommage Concept makes me feel kinda funny. But good funny, like when I used to climb the rope in gym class.

ApolloAudio > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:03

Actually, the i8 is based off the BMW VED from 2009. This knowledge comes from having been to BMW Welt and the BMW Museum, where they said so.

350zzy > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:03

I went to the BMW Museum in Munich last month. I got to see the M1 Hommage and the Vision Dynamics concept on the same day. I must agree that the Vision dynamics does look much like a successor to the M1 hommage, and the I8 the production version that came from both. I gotta say though aside from the glass doors, I love the look of the i8 more than the vision dynamics.

Battery Tender Unnecessary > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:03

The C-pillar especially, where the "air tunnel is."

Kinja'd!!!

I hoon, therefore I am > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:04

BMW truther

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > LongbowMk2
10/02/2014 at 18:04

...but that didn't make it any less charming. :)

/Midenginestraightsixforthewin

SO-Nata-Racecar > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:04

The specifications of the car have not been released to the public. BMW has not confirmed if these will be released, although the upcoming i8 model, which is based on the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics concept, draws influence from the M1 Homage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M1

It's all on the wiki! Must be true... not poking fun, just sayin it's there

ApolloAudio > Neutral President
10/02/2014 at 18:06

No.

BMW called it the M1 Hommage, not homage.

Gary Yogurt > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:06

I thought this was always the case.

Matt Hardigree > DasWauto
10/02/2014 at 18:07

Yeah, they're the only two mid-engined BMWs essentially. Of course they look similar.

Rollk1 > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:07

...wasn't this kind of obvious? I always assumed. They're nearly identical

Patrick George > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:08

It is known.

350zzy > 350zzy
10/02/2014 at 18:10

Kinja'd!!!

PS9 > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 18:10

Can you elaborate a little bit more on that?

Sullivanish > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:14

Say "hommage" again. I dare you. I double dare you, motherfucker.

ringrat > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:14

Kinja'd!!!

But this is one of the first instances that I can remember that the production car was even wilder than the original concept, and it looks even better.

Erm, sorry but the concept is wilder than the production car in this case too.

Trailbroken > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:15

But the M1 didn't swallow a 911!

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:19

Kinja'd!!!

Can they make mine instead, and call it the "M1"?

Pdexter > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 18:20

That c-pillar cavity forming those winglets is not something you exactly see on every other mid-engined car. Same goes for that bulgy roof line continuing from the winglets. One continues winglet shape cut below the back window on i8, so you can actually see behind(?), that also shaped the headlights to connect to the winglet line on the i8.

There's certainly quite a bit of design elements going when you just scale it to simple lines and shapes, and it's not all just from M1, but also from this concept car only.

Not to say they are exact same cars, but something typical you would see from a design study carried out to production car. In this case the production car just happens to be as crazy, if not crazier looking than the design study.

ThatbastardKurtis > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
10/02/2014 at 18:22

Another BMW that has staying power and a certain lust factor, was another M1 homage, the 8 series

Kinja'd!!!

Blondude > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:23

*waits for M1-inspired i8 bodykit*

miniman88 > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 18:25

Are you serious? They're definitely cut from the same cloth. The first time I saw the i8 I immediately thought back to the M1 concept. Paint an i8 orange and you'd barely be able to tell the difference!

ThatbastardKurtis > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
10/02/2014 at 18:25

Why does it have an air intake on top, but apparently no tunnel or indication of going to the obvious mid engine design?

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > ThatbastardKurtis
10/02/2014 at 18:27

To cool the driver. I was drawing a race version (note the fender vents above the front wheels).

miniman88 > carcrasher88
10/02/2014 at 18:28

It's like the M1 and the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept got together...rubbed exhaust tips...found a battery donor...and 1 gestation period later the world was introduced to the artificial whine of a new born i8.

Der Sportwagoner > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:34

Kinja'd!!!

But the concept didn't have the 911 protuberance.

crankaholic > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:35

You know what died along with the M1 concept, besides handsome angular styling... the prospect of another great high-revving NA I6 BMW supercar :(

Kookanoodles > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 18:37

Come on, man! The wing thingies! They're the same! And also the... and all the... OK, just the wing thingies.

porschephile463 > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:43

the first word of an I8M (or MI8, or M8 or what ever BMW decides to call it) I will be headed to the nearest BMW dealer. I love the idea of a hybrid sports car, but I would love it even more if it was just a hair more performance.

SPNKiX > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:45

ok, fine.

blackhawk > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:45

Kinja'd!!!

This one is eating more Porsche

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 18:46

That line flowing from the windows along the rear quarter is undoubtedly the same. Definitely some shared inspiration.

ThatbastardKurtis > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
10/02/2014 at 18:47

Ah, I was thinking that, but I was thinking, it's mid engined.

I don't know if you remember, but back when the GT-1 class was all the rage, and everybody was going with the Mclaren F1 style air intakes, many of the magazines would do artist renders of rumored "supercars", and there were a few artist renderings of supercars with two roof mounted air intakes—-one on each side of the roof.

Hifrequency > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:54

Just in case anyone has the $ laying around an M1 just popped up on Ebay the other day, apparently only 10 were made in this configuration.
http://dcmotorcars.com/index.php/vehi…

GreenN_Gold > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:55

I would say you are spot on, definite relation there.

AWESOM-O > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:56

Can we all agree that 2-tone/black paneling is among the worst modern automotive design trends? A genuinely good looking car should look the part in any single color.

neverwander > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 18:57

As a whole, I love the i8. But every time I see the back end, I can't help but feel sorry for the poor 911 they shoved up it's ass...

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 19:01

You can see it on the C-pillars, and in the little line to the left (in the photo, 2D speaking), and the shape around the rear wheel arch is very similar.

Audistein > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:03

Kinja'd!!!

Having the two BMW badges is an awesome touch from the original M1. They should have put that on the i8.

TommyK154 > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:03

wait, this isn't common knowledge? I bet if you took the time to look up the designers of both it would be the same person/team. I can't believe that this isn't even official. Like it's the same car but BMW said "let's take this into the future" then put an electric engine in it boom i8

coolhandluke > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:07

It looks like a 911 is coming out of the rear bumper

635BMW270 > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:08

Anyone who says the i8 looks better than the M1 (concept or original) is simply wrong.

TheBucketOfTruth > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:09

They both have styling elements that have found their way to the production car. These things weren't all designed in isolation chambers. Design cues from concepts and show cars will typically show in the final product (unless you're an American car company).

SOCdriver > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:15

I have to agree with Hardigree on this, they are so close it has to be based on the same platform. What that means is that if you got and i8 then you could build the M1 Hommage yourself if you have the body work chops to do it.

WhoYouCallinCurvy > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:24

I think they're both as ugly as sin, the i8 especially so. Such great technology but wow, what an overabundance of design. So. Ugly. Blech!

marc1220 > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:25

I knew when it came out it reminded me of something.

titsinmymitts > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:33

Kinja'd!!!

All I can think of when I see that front end:

canBitmap > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:33

And they both have a Hofmeister kink!

Definite arguing point.

Fjord > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:41

This definitely proves that the i8 should have optional rear louvers, and be available in that orange colour.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:50

Duh.

http://bmwblog.kinja.com/isnt-it-great-…

Tony Markovich > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:50

Looks-wise, I fully agree.

dmcspeedy > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 19:59

Kinja'd!!!

The i8 came out of the "Vision ED" concept of 2009, which actually looks less like the M1 Hommage than the i8 does, to me. Clearly some shared ideas though.

http://jalopnik.com/5359581/bmw-vi…

shirosake > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 20:00

One very big difference is that the i8 SWALLOWED A 911!

irisfailsafe5000 > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 20:03

In the development process the i8 came upon a Porsche 911 on the Autobahn and ate it therefore the differences.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 20:10

I mean, you could see it that way I guess. Certainly there are similarities. But the i8 is in no way an M vehicle nor a real M1 successor. In addition, there are heavy amounts of rumors that they are going to make a real M1 successor based off the i8 platform, so that in fact would ostensibly be the new M1.

JaVon McCabe > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 20:19

They need to stuff a detuned 918 setup in an i8, lighten it like a Porsche GT3 and call it the M1

472CID > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 20:23

I've got like a dozen posts where I bitch about the i8 not living up to the idea of a M1 homage. Nobody cares so I stopped commenting on i8 posts (truestory.jpg)

blerglemon > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 20:30

Kinja'd!!!

Oh wow that's ugly

Valensiakol > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 21:10

Tell us how you really feel!

weetstraw > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 21:21

Shouldn't the M1 Hommage be built by Lamborghini?

Kate's Dirty Sister > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 21:31

damn...

Neutral President > ApolloAudio
10/02/2014 at 21:38

Well, that's just stupid.

lawrenceb > Pdexter
10/02/2014 at 21:49

Going to disagree. This isn't the XJ220 concept vs the production car. Sure, they took styling cues from a concept, but that is pretty far removed from it being a production form of said concept.

dr861 > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 21:51

What a shame. I was starting to like the i8 as its own thing, but if it's trying to be an M1... ultimate fail. ULTIMATE FAIL I SAY!

RelentlessSlacker > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 21:59

Yeah, when the M1 Homage came out in the list of awesome concept cars that never got built, I was like...clearly it did!

Ravey Mayvey Slurpee Surprise > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 22:09

Honestly, it's probably half-way between both of you. There are design elements in the M1 Hommage that made it into the Vision EfficientDynamics concept that came a year later; the headlights and the front fascia shape, the gap between the rear quarter panels and the engine cover, the roof line. It also seems like BMW is marketing the i8 as a spiritual M1 successor; the i8 is the future, according to all the advertising, and little features are already trickling down to plebian BMWs. On the other hand, it is likely that they didn't repurpose the M1 Hommage exclusively for the i8, but rather they took distinct elements that made the M1 and M1 Hommage Concept beautiful and gave them to the i8 because, well, the i8 had to stand out.

SP23 > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 22:12

Yeah but the M1 Hommage isn't shitting a 911.

V8 Vortec > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 22:21

Kinja'd!!!

That explains where this came from.

Splitwire

Why can't we have more real Hot Wheels cars?

Mockngbrd > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 22:24

The only reason they are similar is because both the i8 and M1 hommage take design references and elements from the M1. But imo both branch out in different directions thereon.

Howie > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 22:57

Pretty cool homage I guess in a crappy modern take sort of way.

Patrick Frawley > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 23:14

Kinja'd!!!

Hmm. Add the Concept EfficientDynamics car as a bridge and I think Ballaban might be onto something here. Noses are totally different - the Hommage adopts its father's flat plane, the Concept is almost R8ish and the prod i8 is its own thing - but the rear half is definitely a development of a single idea.

86it > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 23:15

Kinja'd!!!

I'm pretty sure the i8 is the production version of this...................

Mers > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 23:16

Kinja'd!!!

Who gives a shit when you can still buy this....

Patrick Frawley > Patrick Frawley
10/02/2014 at 23:20

The vents on the hood show the same family resemblance as well.

Snarky > Michael Ballaban
10/02/2014 at 23:28

Having seen both fairly side by side in Munich recently, I'd have to disagree. Similar-ish design, but so is 75% of what is displayed in their welt/showroom/museum/factory/coffee shop...either way both are awesome in person.

FromCanadaWithLove > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 23:36

If you made a non-electric version of the i8; keeping the same chassis, dimensions, and proportions, you'd definitely call it an M1.

LeadfootYT > Matt Hardigree
10/02/2014 at 23:56

As interesting as this hypothesis is, I'm going to put my vote with you on this one. The i8 alludes to the styling cues of the M1 itself, not the concept that also alludes to said styling cues. To phrase it another way, the i8 and M1 Hommage are siblings. And if we compare the parent (the M1) a famous musician, the Hommage is the kid who's reasonably talented, but just still goes off the parent's surname and style; the i8 is the younger son who saw where that would lead and got his Master's in engineering and had a real career making a name for himself with innovation, and who quietly acknowledges his parent when people at award banquets point out that he really looks like said musician.

Or that's how it makes sense at 11:56pm, at least. Now let's see if it makes sense in the morning!

meatatarian > Michael Ballaban
10/03/2014 at 00:16

Homage. One 'm'. Pronounced o-mahzh.

Nate4641 > Michael Ballaban
10/03/2014 at 01:05

Kinja'd!!!

No Porsche back here

GrauGeist > Michael Ballaban
10/03/2014 at 01:09

In your opinion.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWdd6_ZxX8c

I see it as a horribly butchered EfficientDynamics

Kinja'd!!!

Because that M1 homage really isn't very attractive, even though it is broadly similar in shape.

But then, a lot of things are similar, given that these are coupes from the same company from roughly the same timeframe.

d3v > Michael Ballaban
10/03/2014 at 01:10

Yep, pretty much agree with you here Michael, and you can give Matt a nice swift kick in the butt for disagreeing as well.

GrauGeist > Patrick Frawley
10/03/2014 at 01:14

Most of this is women's hemlines.

The M1 has the pop-up headlights and square bumpers that were so popular at the time.

The Hommage updates things to the headlights and vents / ducts that were in vogue.

The VED goes full modern Aero with the swept-back lights and flame surfacing

The i8 turns up the flame surfacing.

The only missing item is the 850CSi.

GrauGeist > titsinmymitts
10/03/2014 at 01:16

You call that a sharknose?

THIS is a sharknose.

Kinja'd!!!