| Every motor show must have a wow factor.
A car, or cars, that stand apart from the crowd.
Vehicles that stop people in their tracks. They then circle the car like a prowling wolf, looking for a weakness, but finding none.
Most will then reach for their camera ... either mobile telephone variety or the latest Canon or Nikon.
They circle again, taking shots of the beast from every angle.
At the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show there's no doubt that car was the BMW M1 Homage.
The car had its debut in Italy at Lake Como's Villa d'Este concours de elegance in 2008.
It's a unique, one-off show stopper, built to mark the 30th anniversary of the BMW M1 super sports car.
The BMW M1 was designed by Giorgio Giugiaro, `a car of superlatives and a highly emotive vehicle that was uncompromisingly primed for the race track,' state BMW.
“Spawning this development was the BMW Turbo by Paul Bracq, a revolutionary concept car which, in addition to its groundbreaking functional design, also boasted a raft of technical innovations.”
It was from these two 1970s vehicles the BMW M1 Homage takes its design cue.
As the name suggests its a tribute to those that have come before it.
“For BMW, heritage is always also a living heritage. Drawing inspiration from your own past and thereby reinventing yourself --- that is exactly what the BMW M1 Homage demonstrates in impressive style.” said Dr Klaus Draeger, BMW Group Board Member, Development.
The Homage is simply an emotional design --- read, `I want it' --- that showcases technology and integrates it into the overall aesthetics of the vehicle.
Homage is a look at BMW's past, with an eye on the future.
As such it is used for inspiration by BMW designers and engineers.
“It sets out to challenge us to question and rethink what we see around us.”
BMW's original M1 was a limited edition, however the Homage is even more exclusive, as there is only one.
Will it ever make it into production?
No, despite a legion of BMW fans who would no doubt part with the family farm to get behind the wheel.
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