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The BMW M1 supercar is expected to make a renewed appearance at the 10th Dubai International Motor Show. Although it will be displayed for the first time since 2008, BMW is still playing cool on the new car, and will not confirm any potential production plans, despite a puzzling original M1 recently spied in camouflage.


BMW decided in 2008 to rebuild the M1, which originally was manufactured from 1978 to 1981. It was the only mid-engined BMW to be mass produced and had 273 horsepower in the street version, giving a top speed of 260 km/h.


The M1 coming to Dubai is also a mid-engined car with rear window louvers, but it has a body that is larger in all directions. However, do not take this as an indication that the car will come to market. BMW is still playing coy, and says the car is only to celebrate the company's heritage.


The new — or "retro" — version features the same mid-engine layout and borrows styling cues from both the original M1 and the Turbo show car. Both cars were designed by Italian car design superstar Giorgio Giugiaro.


While it is unclear if the car headed for the United Arab Emirates is a concept or a production vehicle, we expect full details to come from BMW soon. The new BMW M1 should be one of the top spectacles at the Dubai Show's press day on 15 December.
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