The original M1 from 1978 was a car such as BMW has not built since. Styled by Giugiaro, the car encapsulated a mid/rear-mounted inline six and seating for two, wrapped in a package distilling the essence of BMW's styling philosophy of the time.

Not just a minor masterpiece of minimalism, the M1 was of sufficient iconic stature to attract the attention of pop artist, the late Andy Warhol, who used one of the cars as his mobile canvas (pictured).

BMW could not let the 30th anniversary of the M1's conception pass without paying tribute to it through a concept developed by the company's in-house design group.

The M1 Homage was built with the famed Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in mind as a venue for its debut.

Whilst many of the car's cues are lifted from the original, the M1 Homage displays a heavy reliance on the current watered-down Bangle style beginning to emerge in cars such as the 3 Series. The flanks of the M1 Homage are a subtle acknowledgement of the flame surfacing of the Z4, for example.

"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.

» Watch the Carsales Network's video on the BMW M1 concept here

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