Eco Bimmer--The M1 lives

BMW is exploring plans for placing what one high-ranking insider describes as "a breakthrough green supercar" into limited production by the end of 2012.

Described as "a puristic two-seater that draws on all the very latest BMW technology and lightweight build processes," the new supercar has been conceived to showcase the German carmaker's "EfficientDynamics" program. The effort has ushered in a raft of fuel-saving technologies, including direct injection, brake energy regeneration and stop/start features, applied to its volume-selling 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-series models.

Details remain scarce, but a source privy to early design proposals said that the new BMW supercar would be a modern-day M1, with high levels of performance, lively dynamics and fuel consumption and emissions ratings on par with or better than those of a 5-series. "The idea is to take the supercar to a whole new level of environmental compatibility using technology and materials already in wide use today," the source said.Link......