Paul Bracq was Director of Design at BMW during the formative period of the 1970s. The Turbo (E25) was one of his most striking creations. One of the greatest cars in the vast BMW stable is the 1972 Turbo prototype or concept car, created for the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.
In 1972, the eyes of the world were squarely on Munich, Germany. BMW had built a new corporate headquarters, remarkably styled on the shape of the cylinders of a 4-cylinder engine. A satellite building houses BMW museum pieces. And for the occasion, renowned designer Paul Bracq created an innovative design for a BMW automobile, the BMW Turbo. Only 2 Turbos were ever built. Today, it is one of the rarest of BMW's, with its elegant design, gullwing doors, and futuristic cockpit.
Inside, the Turbo had several safety features, while on the outside, it had large window areas, a distinguished, sloping front, and balanced proportions throughout. The Turbo was powered by the 4-cylinder 1990cc turbocharged engine with 280 hp at 5200 rpm and a top speed of 165mph. The Turbo was BMW's first mid-engined car.
Bracq's Turbo was awarded Concept Car of the Year honors in 1973. By 1979, the Turbo evolved into the original M1, BMW's first M Car. If you visit Munich, you can see a Turbo on display in the BMW Museum. The other Turbo is in the BMW Zentrum Museum in Spartanburg.
"I could express with complete freedom my ideas concerning automobile style while respecting the image of BMW of the Seventies."
Paul Bracq
Source: www.usautoparts.net
Images: BMW; www.lotusespritturbo.com; astebolaffi.it; @hub_raum_ / @bmwclassic (Instagram)
