With the development of the BMW GINA Light Visionary Model the BMW Group presents trendsetting solutions. Chris Bangle gives us a first impression of the ideas behind the process of sculpturing an experimental study. This is the story behind this innovation!
The new BMW M1 Hommage was a surprise debutant at the Concorso d’Eleganza 2008 di Villa d’Este this weekend. No prizes for guessing what it is: this is an official concept car to mark the 30th anniversary of the original M1 supercar.
The Hommage is a clever reinterpretation of the 1978 coupe, bristling with echoes of the original. The low-slung coupe stance, the slatted deck where a rear window should be, those polished, sink-strainer alloy wheels - it's an unambiguously direct bloodline connected to BMW's first proper supercar.
Don't expect a Mini-style trip down memory lane. The M1 Hommage is brought bang up to date with the latest design trends: there's the rear diffuser, the usual lack of any visible door handles and typically tiny door mirrors. We like the BMW roundels sitting on the extremities of the rump though.
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After making its rounds at all other major auto shows, the BMW CS Concept has finally made its way to North America and is being displayed at the 2008 New York Auto Show this week. BMW has already confirmed that the CS Concept is a design study outlining the company’s new flagship Gran Turismo model. The car will fit above the 7-Series when it hits markets in 2011, and will compete with other four-door coupes including the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide, Audi A7 and the Mercedes-Benz CLS
Gerhard Richter, a member of the management team of the BMW M GmbH, will be assigned project leader on the upcoming Gran Turismo. Of course this means that the Gran Turismo will have massive M-influence from the get go.
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A promotional video of the production BMW X6 has hit the web. We are waiting on the official press release and details on the car from BMW. Until then have fun watching the video. Who knows, we may even catch a glimpse of the car at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show next month.
This is the very latest offering from Munich's design studios - and it points to a bold new design future post-flame surfacing. The landmark Concept CS show car is a luxury four-door GT primed to kickstart a new look for future BMWs.
The unveiling of the Concept CS marks a revolutionary shift for the marque. BMWs of late have had controversial styling, much to the distaste of many. But there's not even a hint of the awkward angles of the current 7-series or the lumpy, Mitsubishi Carisma-like rear of the 3-series here. The CS has a crisp, fresh look.
This four-seater coupe looks attractive, particularly next to the current BMW range. The new form language, smoother surfaces and a dose of elegance work a treat; and the angled, shark-nose grille is striking to our eyes, evoking the first-gen 6-series among others.
That's true. It really is monumentally different. The language of the body and the lines are so much smoother. The classic kidney grille has ballooned to huge proportions; BMW claims this is to ensure of a plentiful supply of cold air to the engine, and is not simply a styling gimmick.
The arches wrap around the deep-dished, 21-inch, multi-spoke alloys. The designers say that future BMs will have much attention paid to integrated arches, rather than the brashly flared items on some rival designs (eg current Fords).
The Concept CS is BMW's contribution to the Shanghai Motor Show, which is currently in full swing in the far east.
Adrian von Hooydonk, head honcho at BMW's design house, told CAR Online at the show that the shark-nose look of the Concept CS is something that customers can relate to from BMWs of old. He hinted that it would spread to future production cars.
The cabin will be as sleek and slinky as the exterior of the car. Front passengers will be firmly tucked in to the curvy sports seats and surrounded by a high centre console, while BMW has paid much attention to raising the previously dour ambience of their dark interiors.
Clever surface treatments, different kinds of leather and double-dial pods all add to the fresher, more exciting cabin. BMW is making great play over the joints of the dashboard, hiding air vents and lights in the gaps between panels.
That you can be sure of. The Concept CS is without doubt a bit of a showcase for BMW and it's reasonable to assume that the designers will push the boat out with the mod cons and luxuries for the show car.
It's a hefty beast, too. At 5.1 metres long, it's longer even than the 7-series, as well as wider and sporting a longer wheelbase. So there's plenty of space for the four passengers.
The show car runs a V10 from the M5 and M6, although this car runs on a bespoke platform. But packing this 500bhp crackerjack motor will guarantee the CS goes as fast as it looks.
Production versions could use a variety of six-, eight- and 10-cylinder engines, were such a car to be commissioned. It's still too early to say if BMW will actually build this car, but it is certainly considering a rival to the Porsche Panamera and Aston Rapide.
Good question. You could be forgiven for thinking that the Concept CS was a coupe by the lack of rear door handles. However, take a closer look and you may discover a distinct lack of front door handles as well. In an attempt to maintain the clean lines of the car BMW, has niftily located the door handles on the sill in between the window and the body of the door.
So yes, it is a four-door saloon. There are only two rear seats but each one is separate, unlike the traditional bench approach, so you can bank on it being just as comfortable for the rear passengers as it is for those in the front.
Well, it's bigger than the CLS and there's not been any BMW like it before. But you can safely say that the CS is aimed squarely at the new Porsche Panamera and forthcoming Aston Martin Rapide, not to mention the Bentley Flying Spur. Execs in a hurry have never had it so good...
Take a good look because this is as good a sign as any of what BMW are up to. The Concept CS may not be bound for production - not immediately anyway - but it's certainly the biggest hint that we're likely to get in the way of appearance for future cars.
The future's looking sleeker, sportier and (dare we say it) more beautiful. And it's been a long time since we've been able to say that about a BMW.
Jack Carfrae
BMW X6 is the third X model in the BMW’s 4x4 range. BMW kicked off the Frankfurt show today (Tuesday 11 September) by unveiling two coupes spun off existing models. The 1-series coupe is a two-door notch back version of the baby BMW, but the X6 – an X5 SUV with a melted rear end – was the show-stopper.
The X6 has much in common with its sibling: a four-wheel drive chassis, front end and five door layout, but get to the A-pillars and things get pretty rakish. There are major changes under the skin, too: the X6 introduces BMW’s petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. For now, the X6 and its eco-drivetrain are officially concepts, but the car is headed for production in 2008 and the drive train will follow in ‘09. Expect X6 prices to start north of £35,000.
Munich claims that the X6 is the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe, although suits from Infiniti and Mazda might swing by BMW’s show stand to debate that. What’s indisputable is that the X6 is the most extreme crossover SUV to date. While the structure and wheelbase is shared with the X5, the A-pillars are more raked and the roof drops away like a black ski run. The shoulder line is angled upwards, creating a tapered glasshouse which ends in BMW’s traditional Hofmeister kink. There are wraparound rear lamps merging with a muscular rear haunches, and 21-inch wheels. It certainly looks edgy and powerful, but you’ll pay for it by compromising the X5’s spacious rear bench and boot space. Indeed, the X6 is only a four-seater – although the car’s 6ft 4in designer Adrian Van Hooydonk claims he can sit comfortably in the back.
BMW didn’t just unveil the X6 design concept; this ActiveHybrid version also took a bow. The company was being elusive on technical details, not officially acknowledging which combustion engine the hybrid system complemented for instance. Under development in a joint-venture with DaimlerBenz and GM, the system features two electric motors, a high performance battery, a two-range transmission and three planetary gear sets melding the systems together.
BMW claims its system will be more usable than rivals’, because its continuously variable transmission features a two-mode active transmission. While existing hybrids’ CVTs can roar frustratingly but take ages to deliver any shove, BMW claims its system optimises power delivery from the engine and motors across the X6’s entire speed range. The result is plentiful grunt on demand and more feedback to the driver, and reasonable economy gains – up 20 percent – over a comparably-sized SUV.
More than 50 percent of X6 components is shared with the X5. That means continuously variable four-wheel drive, and high performance six- and eight-cylinder engines. It’s also the reason why BMW can take the risk on such a flash, niche vehicle. With its 21-inch wheels, bling exterior and pursuit of performance over practicality, the green brigade will loathe it. Good job the hybrid version will be there to make a green statement. Just don’t bank on it being congestion charge-exempt….
