BMW Uncovered: The M1 — The Birth of M

The BMW M1 is more than a milestone—it’s the foundation of BMW Motorsport. As the first true M car, it set the standard for what an M should be.

Designed to be an affordable racing car with Italian flair, the M1 redefined the industry. Its M88 inline-6 engine sits behind you, letting you hear every intake pulse. The engineering is refreshingly simple—no compromise, only purpose.

Every detail tells a story, from the pop-up headlights crafted for aerodynamics to the side vents hiding the engine bay. The aesthetic is a careful balance of Italian influence and unprecedented design. Even its roomy interior was a shock compared to the cramped supercars of the era.

If you’re telling the history of M, the M1 gets its own chapter—maybe even its own book. This is where it all started.

BMW Uncovered goes beyond the spec sheet for an inside look at the classic BMW models that shaped driving as we know it. With BMW veteran and product authority Tom Plucinsky alongside automotive designer and BMW historian Steve Saxty, each episode blends firsthand experience with deep design and heritage knowledge.

Watch the full series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzgoLd4TRmNoP6sRk3kOWZ6F77CroYoxq

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