1981 BMW avt - AllCarIndex

To this day, the BMW AVT from 1981 remains one of BMW’s more mysterious concept vehicles. Very little is known about its background, but this doesn’t make it any less interesting. On the contrary, this ultra-futuristic non-drivable prototype has a unique role in BMW design and engineering history. Built to generate publicity for the opening of BMW’s new wind tunnel at the Ismaning/Ascheim test facility in 1980, the BMW AVT followed recent developments in the industry, which increasingly emphasized aerodynamics to reduce fuel consumption following the fuel crises in 1974 and 1979. With the opening of the wind tunnel, BMW accelerated research and development in this area, and the BMW AVT became a centerpiece in the efforts to leverage aerodynamics in BMW design. This is also where we find the origin of its name: AVT stands for Aerodynamischer Versuchsträger, or “aerodynamic test vehicle”. The BMW AVT cannot be driven. It is meant simply to take its place on top of the measuring plate in the middle of the wind tunnel and be a subject for tests and photographers. Similarly, it has no interior. The full-scale model was done by BMW designers collaborating with BMW aerodynamicists to create a truly unique concept “vehicle” which may not have any on-the-road descendants today, but nevertheless remains a crucial part of BMW design and engineering history.