--- title: "This Futuristic BMW Prototype Was Shaped in a Wind Tunnel Back in the ’80s" description: "BMW's head of design just revealed the 1981 BMW AVT, an aerodynamic test bed that never became a production car." date: "2024-01-08" modified: "2024-01-08" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-futuristic-bmw-prototype-was-shaped-in-a-wind-tunnel-back-in-the-80s" categories: - "BMW News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "BMW" --- # This Futuristic BMW Prototype Was Shaped in a Wind Tunnel Back in the ’80s ![]() *BMW | Instagram* The '70s and '80s are commonly seen as BMW's golden years of design. Those decades brought us sweet-looking cars like the [3.0 CSL](), 2002, E28 M5, E24 6 Series, and the [E30 M3](). But there was one design that unfortunately never made it out of the concept stage and was only used as a technical aerodynamic test bed: the [BMW]() AVT. In 1981, BMW opened a new aerodynamic wind tunnel facility and it needed a PR vehicle to go along with it. As a result, BMW developed the AVT, which stood for Aerodynamischer Versuchsträger (aerodynamic test vehicle in German), and it looks like the car that inspired the [Volkswagen XL1 ]()more than three decades later. It had neither an engine nor an interior, it was just a body made to test the wind tunnel. However, it was a super cool design that I wish BMW dared to turn into a production vehicle. > [View this post on Instagram]() > [A post shared by Domagoj Dukec (@domagoj.dukec)]() BMW's head of design Domagoj Dukec revealed some photos of the AVT from back in its day and, since it was designed purely for aerodynamics, it looks shockingly modern. It was low, long, wide, and as smooth as a pebble, like so many electric vehicles of today. Its windshield wrapped around the body and looked like a UFO from a '50s movie, its nose sloped almost to the ground, it had pop-up headlights, and its rear wheels were covered. Dukec didn't reveal its coefficient of drag but it's so smooth it makes a teardrop look like a brick, so it's probably pretty impressive. I imagine a production version of the AVT with the rear-mounted 3.5-liter inline-six from the [BMW M1](), a five-speed manual, and an Autobahn-dominating top speed. BMW would have been on the cutting edge of efficient supercar performance decades before that would become popular. Sadly, like so many of BMW's other exciting concepts, it never came to be. However, the lessons learned from building its aerodynamic shape went on to help many of the brand's future designs. Hopefully, BMW can relearn some of those lessons and make cars that look like the AVT. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()