BMW on M1 trail

Caught on the hop by the critical success of AMG's gullwing SLS, BMW is reportedly planning a similarly exotic M-badged supercar that will go on sale in late 2012.

Sources have suggested the all-new, range-topping SLS challenger, in a move designed to rekindle memories of its wedge-shaped, mid-engined 1980s supercar, will almost certainly adopt M1 nomenclature.

However, in a sharp departure from past practices, it is believed the new M1 will use a hybrid powertrain combining electric and high-revving petrol motors to achieve sub four-second 0-100km/h performance.

"M Division should have its own, in-house supercar built by three years," a senior BMW source said.

"That's on sale in three years -- not starting the car in three years."

With the driveline said to take lessons from the Vision EfficientDynamics hybrid (pictured) seen at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, the M division is expected to enlist BMW's help developing the complicated electronics -- although it may go it alone with the chassis engineering.

Instead of relying on big-engined grunt, insiders suggest the next M1 won't use the current M5's V10. Instead, it is expected to combine a version of BMW's TwinPower turbocharged direct-injection V8 with twin electric motors.

The next M1 would rely on this system to provide added boost at low rpm before switching to petrol power at higher revs, much like the X6 ActiveHybrid.

Although the new generation M1 should come quickly, it must make way for more pressing needs. According to the BMW source "We need to sell some cars first. That's why the 1-Series M car will be a higher priority".

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