Shoreline LM Coupe: A Retro-Inspired Sports Car with a High-Revving BMW Motorcycle Engine | Smarti News – AI-Powered Breaking News on Tech, Crypto, Auto & More
Shoreline LM Coupe: A Retro-Inspired Sports Car with a High-Revving BMW Motorcycle Engine

Shoreline LM Coupe: A Retro-Inspired Sports Car with a High-Revving BMW Motorcycle Engine

2025-06-08
0 Comments Ethan Miles

3 Minutes

Introducing the Shoreline LM Coupe: Reviving Pure Driving Spirit

The Shoreline LM Coupe is a striking new entry into the world of boutique sports cars, blending classic motorsport aesthetics with cutting-edge engineering. Developed by California-based startup Shoreline Bespoke, the LM Coupe pays homage to legendary 1960s race cars like the Porsche Carrera 6 and Ford GT40, aiming to deliver an unadulterated driving experience even in an era defined by strict emissions and fuel regulations.

Iconic Design Inspired by Racing Heritage

Drawing clear inspiration from race icons like the Porsche 910, the Shoreline LM Coupe boasts a low-slung, streamlined silhouette, reminiscent of the Le Mans prototypes of yesteryear. Even though the car has not been fully unveiled, official renders reveal a shape that channels the graceful aggression of classic endurance racers. The name "Shoreline" itself is an ode to California's legendary Highway 1 and its dramatic coastal routes, with the company's badge featuring the iconic California grizzly, anchoring the car’s American roots.

Lightweight Engineering and Advanced Chassis

At the heart of the Shoreline LM Coupe is an ultra-lightweight steel tube space frame chassis, engineered for exceptional rigidity and safety. The prototype features aluminum body panels for reduced weight, though the production variant is set to upgrade to carbon fiber for even greater performance. An advanced, fully adjustable double wishbone suspension system—developed with input from Formula One engineers—promises razor-sharp handling, while a motorsport-derived steering setup ensures a direct and communicative driving feel. The LM Coupe achieves one of the lowest centers of gravity among production vehicles, vastly reducing body roll and boosting cornering prowess.

Motorsport-Bred Powertrain

The centerpiece of the LM Coupe’s performance story is its unique engine: a BMW-sourced 1.65-liter inline-six, originally developed for the legendary K1200R motorcycle. Expertly tuned by Ed Pink, this featherweight powerplant produces a breathtaking 300 horsepower, spinning eagerly up to a sky-high 12,000 rpm. Weighing just 79 kg, this engine delivers an astonishing power-to-weight ratio, outclassing even modern icons like the Porsche 911 GT3, Subaru WRX, and Toyota GR86. The engine’s maximum torque of 280 Nm further guarantees explosive acceleration, especially given the LM Coupe tips the scales below that of the featherweight Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Driver-Centric Cabin with Space-Age Inspiration

The interior of the LM Coupe is as focused as its performance credentials. Inspired by astronauts’ relaxed, reclined seating posture in zero gravity, the cabin places the driver in an ergonomic, laid-back position perfectly suited to spirited driving. Classic touches—a wooden shift lever and leather-trimmed sports steering wheel—bring a sense of timeless motorsport luxury, perfectly complementing the coupe’s modern engineering focus.

Production Plans, Exclusivity, and Market Positioning

Founded in 2021 by motorsport engineer Spencer Beckman and aerospace engineer Kyle Kruger, Shoreline Bespoke first showcased the LM's chassis at the 2022 Tiburon Auto Show. Now advancing to its second prototype, the company is constructing a new factory to meet anticipated demand. Each hand-built LM Coupe is expected to require up to 300 hours of meticulous assembly. Customer deliveries are projected to begin by late 2026, with a starting price tag estimated below $500,000—underlining the LM Coupe's exclusivity and appeal to automotive collectors.

Conclusion

The Shoreline LM Coupe stands poised to captivate enthusiasts searching for a visceral, analog driving experience rooted in motorsport tradition. With its combination of a high-revving BMW motorcycle engine, lightweight construction, and retro-inspired design, this American sports car is set to carve its own legend on both road and track.

Source: carbuzz

"I’m Ethan — gearhead by nature, writer by choice. If it’s got wheels and horsepower, I’ve probably tested it or written about it!"

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