What the car is and where it came from
A mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive coupé designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in 1977. Hand-built from 1978 to 1981 as BMW M’s first sole project and a homologation special.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
The driver sits ahead of a mid-mounted straight-six engine. The car is rear-wheel drive. The body is fibreglass. It was built by hand.
What it gets right
It places the driver centrally in BMW’s performance hierarchy. It gives form to a racing mandate without disguising its purpose. Its folded-paper lines resolve function into sharp, unbroken surfaces.
What it does not
It does not offer modern driver aids, adjustable suspension, or packaging flexibility. It does not prioritise daily usability or cabin space.
What it changed
It established BMW M as a standalone division with its own car. It proved BMW could build a mid-engined road car for homologation, not just front- or rear-engined saloons and coupés.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for historians of BMW, students of 1970s industrial design, and collectors who value rarity and lineage. It is not for drivers seeking refinement, ease of access, or contemporary dynamics.
Is it worth your time
Yes—if you need to understand how BMW M began, or how Giugiaro’s angular language entered German engineering. No—if you’re looking for a drivable benchmark or technical reference.
