The inspiration for the BMW 1M coupe is said to be drawn from the E30 M3. BMW likes to say that the 1M is the spiritual successor to the original M3. In fact, all of the engineers who worked on the 1M coupe were required to drive and become familiar with the E30 M3 during development. That's how much BMW wanted the 1M coupe to emulate the E30 M3's original spirit, while of course also accommodating for current safety required designs, customer wants, and reasonable build price. The two designs also share some common styling elements, such as aggressively flared fenders, a boxy design, upright seating position, and an overall pugnacious look.
Following our recent press test drive of the 1M coupe at Willow Springs (more on that later), we had an opportunity to ogle and photograph Alex Palevsky's (Bimmer Magazine contributing editor) beautiful alpine white E30 M3 and pose it next to an alpine white 1M coupe. For those who have or will experience the 1M, it is no longer sacrilege to hear these two cars mentioned together or posed together to suggest their spiritual connection.
Alex's E30 M3 is a beauty and is as clean an example as I've seen, even with 144k miles under its legs. Thanks for giving us some lens time with your baby Alex!
