BMW M8: M1 Hommage Supercar Concept Heading For Production At Last?

Rumours of an exotic BMW flagship refuse to die. And, with key rivals Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Lexus all waving the supercar flag, it's easy to see why. 

New reports this week suggest that BMW's M1 tribute, the 2008 Hommage concept, could soon reach production - wearing an M8 badge. 

It wouldn't be the first to bear the name: a 410kW concept based on the 8 Series coupe lives at the BMW museum in Munich, offering a glimpse of early plans to take on Ferrari in the supercar arena. 

The carmaker eventually determined that the market was not ready for a BMW supercar, locking the concept away in its Giftschrank ("poison cabinet"), where it stayed hidden until it was revealed once more in 2010. 

The world could at last be ready for a super-powered Bimmer however, with the likes of the SLS AMG, R8 and LFA all proving popular old- and new-school supercar fans alike. 

For its part, BMW has yet to confirm plans for a new supercar, but insiders have reportedly told Automobile Magazine that the so-called M8 will make its debut in 2016.

The report adds that rather than develop an all-new platform from the ground up, the coming i8 - itself inspired by the M1 and Hommage cars - will donate its carbon-fibre and aluminium architecture.

Don't fear the i8's three-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor combo making the leap though; BMW is believed to be focusing on a high-powered V8 drivetrain. 

• BMW | BMW M | Supercars | Enthusiast