History can be a real pain in the ass sometimes. Few places is this more true than in the world of automotive naming, where diehard fanboys (and fangirls) of a particular model expect any new car tasked with reviving their favorite nameplate to match – if not surpass – the style, capabilities and overall aura of the originals. Some vehicles, like the Dodge Challenger and Ferrari 599 GTO, have succeeded in meeting this challenge. Others, like the Pontiac GTO and Honda Insight, are often viewed as cynical, half-baked attempts at cashing in on a badge with a loyal following. (For the record, we'd totally rock an '04-5-6 GTO; the Cavalier-with-a-thyroid-problem styling makes it something of a sleeper.)
Which brings us to BMW’s upcoming spicy 1 Series variant. Logic would dictate that the decision makers in Munich would follow the precedent established by the non-two-seater and non-SUV M models and call it the M1. The only problem is back in the late ‘70s the company released a limited-production mid-engine supercar of the same name and, as most such vehicles are wont to do, it has wound up reaching icon status in the intervening decades. Not wanting to muddy that legacy with the addition of a front-engine, four-seat coupe (or have to answer any questions as to why the powerplant isn’t behind the front seats or why there’s only one Roundel on its rump), BMW has instead decided to label this new pocket rocket the 1 Series M. And by all appearances, particularly the final teaser video (which followed this one and this one) viewable after the jump, it will be worth the wait.
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