This Impressive Concept Illustrates What BMW Should Develop Next | Carscoops

      The supercar design represents a contemporary rendition of the BMW Nazca C2 prototype from the 1990s.

      July 5, 2025, at 08:07

      by Thanos Pappas

      The BMW Ethos is a digital concept crafted by independent designer Sebastiano Ciarcia.

      This supercar is inspired by the Nazca C2, BMW i8, and the original M1 models.

      It features an FCEV powertrain that promises impressive performance and zero emissions.

      BMW M has announced the development of a new flagship supercar that could recapture the essence of the M1 from the late 1970s. Although there are no official details yet, the news has stirred various creative interpretations. Among them is a striking digital representation by independent designer Sebastiano Ciarcia, who presents his version of a next-gen BMW exotic, named the Ethos.

      More: BMW Nearly Launched An All-Electric Hypercar With 1,300 HP

      This digital concept captures the essence of the eye-catching Nazca C2 prototype from the early '90s, originally designed by Italdesign. It also incorporates clear influences from the BMW i8 and the Vision M Next concept from 2019, both of which mark significant points in BMW’s design journey.

      A Study in Surface and Stance

      The BMW Ethos is characterized by a bold, low profile with a broad stance. A glass canopy envelops the cabin, and the partially exposed rear wheels evoke the style of classic Italian exotics. At the front, Ciarcia reinterprets BMW’s traditional kidney grille with a sleeker, body-colored style and a small, offset BMW badge. The designer notes that the grille pays homage to BMW classics from the 1950s, such as the 503 and 507.

      Another noteworthy feature is the LED headlights integrated within the front intakes, which bear a slight resemblance to Peugeot's 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar. The sculpted fenders extend from the main body, enhancing the athletic appearance. Ciarcia describes the surfacing as "a juxtaposition of soft and hard shapes."

      At the rear, the Ethos is equipped with a narrow, full-width LED light bar, an active spoiler, and a bold diffuser that brings the design together.

      Illustrations by Sebastiano Ciarcia

      Designed With Future Powertrains in Mind

      While the concept does not visibly include an internal combustion engine, it is not intended as fully electric either. Instead, Ciarcia envisions a hydrogen fuel-cell configuration that could deliver performance comparable to a contemporary hypercar, allowing for the possibility of alternative propulsion systems.

      To bring the design to life, the Ethos is rendered in a Champagne finish and showcased in a fitting location: the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como in Italy. This is the same event where BMW introduced the limited-production Speedtop shooting brake this year, following the Skytop from 2024 and the Z4-based Touring Coupe from 2023.

      More: BMW Abandoned A 95% Finished Supercar For The XM SUV

      Regarding potential competitors for the Ethos, the designer cites a broad spectrum of high-performance supercars and hypercars, including the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, Aston Martin Valhalla, and Ferrari F80. However, the most comparable might be the anticipated all-electric supercar from Mercedes-AMG, previewed in 2023 by the Vision One-Eleven concept.

      Ciarcia is an Italian automotive designer currently located in Gothenburg, Sweden. A graduate of IAAD, he has collaborated with several prominent automakers, including Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Rimac, and Volvo. CarScoops readers may recognize his name from a few years ago when he revealed an impressive mid-engine reinterpretation of the Lancia Delta.

      For more of his creations, you can follow Sebastiano Ciarcia on Instagram.

      Sebastiano Ciarcia