Concept Car of the Week: BMW Turbo (1972)

Built by Michelotti in Turin and unveiled at the 1972 Paris motor show, the BMW Turbo was built both as a symbol of the carmaker's strength after its troubles in the ‘60s and as a celebration of that summer's Olympic Games in Munich.

This two-door coupe, based on a modified 2002 chassis with a mid-mounted engine, was born when BMW's design director Paul Bracq convinced the board to let him design a concept that would be part design exercise, part technology testbed.

Safety had become an increasingly important consideration following a number of design summits in the early ‘70s, and Bracq used the Turbo to test out a number of safety solutions.

He decided against following the conventional shapes of most carmakers and used foam-filled bumper shields incorporated into composites at the front and rear. Side impact beams were designed to absorb energy in crashes, while an integrated roll-cage would protect the cabin.

The black band wrapping around the body emphasizes its low, flat, wedge profile, although Bracq's use of more rounded forms sets it apart from its contemporaries. 

Gullwing doors, now a familiar feature in concept cars, were added for ease of access and the fluorescent orange paintjob faded to red to create a truly stunning aesthetic.

The futuristic cockpit was orientated towards the driver and featured a collapsible steering column with three universal joints that would absorb energy in a crash. 

It also featured an active safety ABS anti-lock braking system and a radar-based brake distance warning system. Designers worked hard to minimize the number of hard edges while all interior components were padded wîth foam.

Only two Turbos were ever built, the second being different only in its rear wheel spats and its paintwork, which faded from orange to brown.

Nevertheless, its low, flat design also set the tone for many future BMWs while it was also the direct template of the M1.

First seen Paris motor show 1972
Designer Paul Bracq
Length 4,155mm
Width 1,800mm
Height 1,100mm
Wheelbase 2,400mm
Engine 1,900cc in-line four-cylinder

By Rufus Thompson