BMW design boss Domagoj Dukec has developed a wholesome behavior of sharing design sketches of lesser-known vehicles. Final 12 months, he confirmed his followers on social media the 1981 E1 Spider idea and early design proposals for the first-gen Z3 roadster left on the reducing room ground. Followers at the moment are in for an actual deal with as photos of the moderately obscure AVT idea have surfaced.

These three initials come from Aerodynamischer Versuchsträger (German for aerodynamic take a look at automobile) and AVT was a fullsize scale mannequin with out an inside. It was a non-running automobile created by BMW’s designers to generate buzz across the opening of a wind tunnel on the Ismaning/Ascheim take a look at facility in 1980.

BMW designers labored carefully with aerodynamicists to create this smooth physique with a swoopy roofline and wheel spats. In case you’re unfamiliar with the latter time period, it refers to wheel arch covers that nearly solely enclose the rear wheels. These additional panels present aero advantages by blocking air from going by means of the wheel arches. As a substitute, the air flows over the physique panels to cut back the automobile’s drag coefficient.

For the sake of aero, the AVT was envisioned with pop-out headlights in the identical vein because the mid-engine M1 supercar launched in 1978, just a few years earlier than the idea. The opposite BMW to get the cool lights was the unique 8 Collection (E31) in 1990. Because the AVT wasn’t meant to be a road-legal automobile, it didn’t have facet mirrors that may’ve hampered airflow.

These entrance and rear overhangs are a few of the longest we’ve ever seen on a BMW whereas the lengthy strips of lights on the entrance and rear are moderately uncommon. AVT had a small kidney grille in relation to the broad stance of the physique and built-in a pair of rectangular exhaust suggestions into the rear bumper.

Eagle-eyed readers will discover some refined variations between the precise scale mannequin and the design sketches.

Supply: Domagoj Dukec / Instagram, BMW