- Design Inspirations: A Blend of Classic and Modern
- Surface and Stance Study
- Powertrain: The Future of Supercars
- Presentation and Venue
- Potential Competitors
- About the Designer
BMW M is working on developing a new supercar that represents the pinnacle of performance and innovation. The company has confirmed its intention to revive the spirit of the legendary M1 model from the late 1970s. Although official details have yet to be announced, this news has sparked a wave of digital creations imagining what the next BMW supercar might look like. One of the most striking of these is a digital design created by independent Italian designer Sebastiano Chiarchia, who named his project "Ethos."
Design Inspirations: A Blend of Classic and Modern
The Ethos concept draws inspiration from several iconic sources in BMW’s history and the world of supercars, including:
Nazca C2: A digital supercar from the early 1990s designed by Italdesign, known for its sleek and aerodynamic lines.
BMW i8: The hybrid sports car that marked a significant leap in electric and hybrid vehicle design.
Original BMW M1: BMW’s iconic supercar launched in the 1970s, still regarded as one of the most beautiful and powerful cars the company has ever made.
The design harmoniously blends these inspirations with modern touches that highlight futuristic technology and aesthetics.
Surface and Stance Study
The Ethos concept features a low and wide stance characteristic of supercars. The cockpit is covered by a transparent glass dome, giving the car a bold and aerodynamic look. The rear wheels are partially exposed, inspired by classic Italian cars, adding an artistic touch reminiscent of vintage race cars.
At the front, Chiarchia reimagines BMW’s famous kidney grille with a sleek design matching the body color, featuring a small, slightly tilted logo—a nod to classic BMW models from the 1950s like the 503 and 507.
The headlights incorporate LED lights integrated into the front air intakes, somewhat reminiscent of the Peugeot 9X8 hypercar used in Le Mans racing. Sculpted wings emerge from the body, enhancing the sporty and muscular appearance. The designer describes the surface as a "contrast between soft and hard volumes."
At the rear, the car features a slim LED light bar stretching across the width, an active rear wing, and an aggressive diffuser that ties the design elements together and improves aerodynamics.
Powertrain: The Future of Supercars
Although the digital design does not show a traditional engine, Chiarchia envisions Ethos powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system (FCEV), offering strong performance with zero emissions. This choice opens the door to advanced alternative propulsion technologies that combine power with environmental friendliness.
Presentation and Venue
The Ethos concept was presented in a luxurious "champagne" color at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como, Italy—the same venue where BMW recently showcased unique vehicles like the Speedtop, Skytop, and Z4 Touring Coupe.
Potential Competitors
Chiarchia suggests that Ethos could compete with a range of supercars and hypercars, such as:
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
Aston Martin Valhalla
Ferrari F80
He also considers the closest competitor might be the electric supercar Mercedes-AMG is developing, showcased in 2023 as the Vision One-Eleven concept.
About the Designer
Sebastiano Chiarchia is an Italian car designer based in Gothenburg, Sweden, and a graduate of the IAAD institute. He has worked with major automotive companies including Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Rimac, and Volvo. CarScoops readers may recall his notable digital reimagining of the mid-engine Lancia Delta.
The BMW Ethos concept demonstrates how BMW could redefine the supercar concept in the future by combining rich heritage with cutting-edge design and clean propulsion technology. The bold design, expected powerful performance, and attention to both classic and modern details make Ethos an inspiring vision of what BMW might offer in the coming era of supercars.
With BMW M’s confirmation of developing a new supercar, this concept serves as a creative step opening wide possibilities for enthusiasts of the brand and luxury sports cars.
