BMW’s Groundbreaking Concept Car Unveiled After 40 Years

1981 Concept Car Revealed
Designed with Aerodynamics in Mind
Futuristic Spacecraft-like Design

BMW’s chief designer, Domagoh Dukec, released photos of a 1981 concept car called AVT. This promotional vehicle was produced to commemorate the opening of a facility where aerodynamic testing is conducted.

Looking at the components of the concept car, we can see traces of the designer’s consideration to create a better vehicle, even if it is not driven. The concept car’s body structure and wheels were designed with aerodynamics in mind to achieve maximum performance.

Equipped with Pop-up Headlights
Circular Body Line

Functional items such as the interior or powertrain were not installed. The main feature is the pop-up headlights reminiscent of the BMW M1 model. For aerodynamics, the headlamp is placed inside the vehicle and taken out when necessary, but it does not currently meet road regulations and cannot be found in newer vehicles.

The exterior of the vehicle body also appears to have reduced all areas subject to air resistance. It is difficult to find straight lines except for the rear. It was constructed as one line from the front to the rear window. BMW’s unique kidney grille is included but looks unfamiliar and reminiscent of current BMWs. Considering aerodynamics, the wheels are also flat-faced wheels with no openings. The rear wheels are hidden inside the vehicle’s body.

Vertically falling rear part Similar to Nazca M12

The rear part is similar to the Coda Tronca design seen in several models of the Italian car brand Alfa Romeo. Coda Tronka means cut tail, and it is likened to how the car descends as if the rear of the vehicle was cut at an angle and then suddenly fell vertically. This design contributed significantly to aerodynamic efficiency.

In terms of overall appearance, it is similar to the Nazca M12, a mid-engine supercar concept car made by BMW in the past. This vehicle was even equipped with a powertrain and was driven. By designing the aerodynamic design and the body structure to be as light as possible, a speed close to 300 km/h ( 186 mph) can be achieved with only 300 to 350 horsepower.

Drag coefficient of 0.26cd BMW design milestones

In the case of the headlamp, it is out but in a similar position. The aerodynamic design is also similar in that it features a small grille on the front, soft aerodynamically curved lines, and a rear line that falls at a right angle. The Nazca M12’s air resistance coefficient was 0.26cd, making it excellent in air resistance.

BMW VAT was developed in 1981, and Nazca M12 was developed in 1991. The design gives a glimpse of how BMW approached aerodynamic design in the late 1900s. Although this concept car was never mass-produced, it played an important role in BMW’s engineering and design. Dukec mentioned that this prototype will mark an important milestone in BMW’s aerodynamic design history.