Style icon, technical pioneer and racing car: At the end of the 1970s, the BMW M1 was the crème de la crème of sports cars and fascinates people to this day. It went on the market in 1978 and featured a wedge-shaped body, extremely sporty mid-engine layout and a high-revving inline six-cylinder engine. Designed, developed and constructed under the sole direction of BMW M GmbH, which was BMW Motorsport GmbH at the time, it became a legend in past decades.
The BMW M1 E26 by Ronnie Fieg.
For the third chapter in the collaboration between BMW and Kith, Ronnie Fieg restored a BMW M1 E26 from the year 1981 and transformed it into his own personal one-of-a-kind car. Every component was reconstructed in collaboration with BMW Classic and comes from the original stock. A special highlight of this unique model is that it is painted in Techno Violet, a rich and deep violet hue that, above all, represents the era of the BMW M3 E36 and the 1990s at BMW M. Today this colour is only available as a special paint from BMW Individual.
THE ICON.
The classic interior features smooth leather customised with Kith logos, which are embossed into the premium material.
5 FACTS ABOUT THE BMW M1.
- The first vehicle BMW M designed on its own
- Production period: 1978 to 1981
- Mid-engine concept geared towards performance
- Inline six-cylinder engine with 277 hp
- Top speed: 265 km/h
The BMW XM Kith Concept.
As the first and only original vehicle from M GmbH, the BMW M1 only received a sibling in spirit in 2022: the BMW XM. In terms of its structure, the high-performance SAV developed by BMW M is a completely different vehicle than the two-seater with a flat silhouette. However, it’s very progressive, distinct design and M HYBRID drive continue the pioneering design and technological work in the field of M high-performance vehicles. Not least, the BMW M1 and BMW XM share a common heritage because they are models that were designed, developed and built from a high-performance perspective. While the BMW M1 embodies the BMW M Motorsport legacy, the BMW XM hybrid drivetrain shares structural similarities with that of the BMW M Hybrid V8 – the fastest race car currently produced by BMW M Motorsport.
The BMW XM Kith Concept embodies the legacy of BMW M, dating back to the M1, while reimagining one of my all-time favourite colours.
To emphasise these roots, Kith designed a one-of-one model of the XM. The BMW XM Kith Concept features the exclusively developed special paint Frozen Techno Violet metallic. Specially developed by Kith, this colour variant underscores the connection between the past and the present and gives the vehicle a unique presence. In addition to the 23-inch 923 M light alloy rims, which are also painted, this hue also makes the special Kith M emblem on the trunk lid more elegant. Two exceptional highlights are also located on the front of the XM Kith Concept: The M kidney features BMW Iconic Glow and gleams in a rich violet hue, and the Concept’s lower pairs of headlights bear the Kith logo.
Kith has also redesigned the interior. It replaced the two front seats with M carbon bucket seats whose back and headrests feature a special Kith monogram pattern. The illuminated logos on the seats are also customised. The Kith logos embossed into the leather also appear on the armrests, the back seats and the pillows placed there. A perfect accompaniment for this spectacular interior, the ambient lighting of the XM Kith Concept is just the right colour: Techno Violet.
5 FACTS ABOUT THE BMW XM KITH CONCEPT.
- Based on the second BMW M only model
- BMW M HYBRID drive
- M TwinPower V8 engine with a total of 748 hp
- From 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds
- Top speed: up to 290 km/h
RONNIE FIEG.
Ronnie Fieg, Founder, CEO & Creative Director of Kith, has been an avowed fan of the greatest letter in the world for some time. BMW M and Fieg are bound together by a collaboration that has lasted several years and created numerous edition models. Before his time at Kith, Fieg made a name for himself as a designer. Born and bred in Queens, New York, he became interested in footwear and fashion at the age of twelve. He was a BMW and BMW M enthusiast early on. Kith stands for the innovative integration of fashion, art and music and is known for its unique collaborations with iconic brands such as Nike, Moncler, Disney, Coca-Cola and Versace.
PREMIERE AT ART BASEL MIAMI.
To celebrate the beginning of the third chapter of their collaboration, Kith and BMW are hosting an exhibit at the place that inspired this colourful story: Miami, FL. More specifically, on the seventh level of the parking garage at 1111 Lincoln Road. The XM Concept was also presented here in 2021.
Both the BMW M1 by Ronnie Fieg and the BMW XM Kith Concept, as well as Ronnie Fieg’s private collection of rare BMW models, will be there. The event is being held at the same time as Art Basel Miami on 6 December 2024.
KITH FOR BMW COLLECTION.
As part of the collaboration, Kith designed a clothing, accessory and lifestyle collection based on the design of all three BMW chapters. The pieces of clothing combine Kith’s classic cuts and custom-tailored fabrics with new interpretations of classic BMW iconography. Highlights include the Souvenir Moto Jacket, the Kieran Coaches Jacket, the Timo Windbreaker and the Moto Jersey. The premium jackets are made of Italian leather, double-faced wool and silky suede. Sweaters with co-branding, crew necks, hoodies, rugbys, trousers and a range of vintage tees round out the collection.
1:18 scale models of the BMW M1 by Ronnie Fieg and the BMW XM by Kith are also part of the collection. In addition to the original body colour, the miniatures feature numerous other details based on the real vehicles.
