1972 E25 BMW TURBO Prototype

I came across this the other day, and it was new to me.  I  thought some of you may enjoy learning about it.  I believe those are the only two E25 Turbo Prototypes ever built.

So what is it doing here in Baurspotting?  Well, it has certain styling cues that remind me of the M1 and even the 850. And you may recall that most of the M1s were built by Baur, based on a design by Giugiaro, after Lamborghini was financially unable to complete it.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karosserie_Baur

Here is a pic of the M1 for comparison:

See what I mean?

http://www.lotusespritturbo.com/BMW_Turbo.htm

BMW Turbo

The E25 BMW TURBO prototype was built as a celebration for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. (See below for another car BMW introduced for the 1972 Olympics!  Hint:  it didn't use gasoline.) For this occasion, renowned designer Paul Bracq created an innovative design for a BMW automobile, the BMW Turbo. The car had a 1,990cc BMW 4 cylinder engine, with a Turbo fitted. The car weighed just 980kg and featured gullwing doors and an ergonomically considered interior. Safety was another consideration in it's design, with an integrated passenger rollcage, crash safe deformable structures front and rear of the car and a collapsable steering column, thanks to 3 universal joints. The BMW Turbo was built by Michelotti in Turin and only 2 cars were ever built.

Click on image to enlarge

1972 BMW Turbo Prototype E25 series

bodywork
Body type	fixed-head coupé
Number of doors	2
Designer	Paul Bracq
dimensions & weights
Wheelbase	2400 mm	94.5 in
Front track	1550 mm	61 in
Rear track	1530 mm	60.2 in
Length	4144 mm	163.1 in
Width	1880 mm	74 in
Height	1100 mm	43.3 in
length:wheelbase ratio	1.73
Ground clearance
Kerb weight	980 kg	2161 lb
Weight distribution
Fuel tank capacity
aerodynamics
Drag coefficient
Frontal area
CdA
engine
Engine manufacturer	BMW
Engine code
Number of cylinders	Straight 4
Capacity	2 litre 1991 cc (121.498 cu in)
Bore × Stroke	89 mm × 80 mm 3.5 in × 3.15 in
Bore/stroke ratio	1.11
Valve gear	SOHC 2 valves per cylinder 8 Total valves
max power	279.8 PS (276 bhp) (205.8 kW)
Specific output	138.6 bhp/litre 2.27 bhp/cu in
max torque	238 Nm (176 ft·lb) (24.3 kgm)
Specific torque	119.54 Nm/litre
Engine construction
sump	Wet sumped
compression ratio	6.8:1
Fuel system	Kugelfischer fuel injection
brake mean effective pressure	1502.2 kPa (217.9 psi)
Maximum RPM
Number of crankshaft bearings
Engine coolant	Water
Cylinder volume	497.75
Aspiration	Turbo
Compressor
Intercooler	N
Catalyser	N
performance
0-80km/h
0-60mph
0-100km/h	6.60 s
0-100mph	15.70 s
Standing quarter-mile
Standing kilometre
Maximum speed	250 km/h (155 mph)
Power-to-weight ratio	281.63 bhp/ton
fuel consumption
Fuel consumption
Carbon dioxide emissions
Carfolio Calculated CO2 ?
chassis
Engine position	mid
	transverse
Drive wheels	rear wheel drive
Steering	rack & pinion
Number of turns lock-to-lock
Turining circle
Front suspension	I.MS.TB.
Rear suspension
Wheel size front
Wheel size rear
Tyres front
Tyres rear
Brakes F/R
Front brake diameter
Rear brake diamteter
Gearbox	4 speed manual
Top gear ratio
Final drive ratio
general
Carfolio.com ID	96294
Number made	2
Model code
Model family	E25
RAC rating	19.6
Insurance classification	No information available
Tax band	No information available

http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=96294

Here is some more info:
http://classicandvintagebmw.tumblr.com/1972turbo

Here is an other car that BMW introduced especially for the 1972 Olympics in Munich:

Electric Drive BMW in 1972!

Advertisement poster "Schrittmacher" BMW 1602 with electric drive at the Olympic Games 1972 

For more about electric BMWs over the years, check this out:

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2011/09/many-thanks-to-bimmerforums-member-tom.html

NOTE:  If you liked this prototype, you may also like this one:

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2011/05/million-dollar-bmw-and-baur-connection.html