When you think of a “BMW supercar”
you might think of the iconic M1 or the newer i8 hybrid sportscar. But
there was another vehicle with a mid-engined layout, stunning
performance and wore BMW’s twin-kidney grille. The 1991 Italdesign BMW
Nazca M12 is a breathtaking blend of road and track attributes that
looked to the future.
Italdesign
is a famed Italian coachbuilder and design house. The outfit is home to
Giorgetto Guigiaro, who crafted stunning designs for Porsche, Ferrari,
Lamborghini, and some of BMW’s best cars (like the 3200 CS, M1 and 2008
M1 Homage Concept). The Nazca series of cars (M12, C2, C2 Spider), were
meant to combine elements of F1 cars and the amazing Group C racing cars
of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Under the bonnet out back was a 300-horsepower 5.0-liter V12 from the
BMW 850i. It sent power to the rear wheels through a ZF manual gearbox
and a specially designed flange. The frame and the body are constructed
from carbon fiber, which was an even more exotic material then then it
is now. Weight for the vehicle was kept to just 2,400 pounds.
Additionally, the front spoiler was lowered, and spoilers were added to
the rear. Both were installed to bring the C2 closer to the driving feel
of being on a race track. Weight was reduced by 220 pounds, helping it
achieve a top speed of 185 mph.
Source: https://autos.yahoo.com/news/bmw-best-supercars-italdesign-bmw-nazca-concepts-170035681.html