The BMW Gina concept...

[Chevyrocker]

Not really a big fan of BMW, but since we're all pretty open minded here @ camaro5, I found this pretty interesting.
I found this article at autoblog.

CLICK HERE for video via youtube


BMW GINA Light Visionary Model in motion

The automotive community has clearly been impressed with the GINA Light Visionary Model concept that BMW unveiled this week. The fabric-covered concept with its winking headlights, blinking gauges, mouth-like hood, and unique ability to shape shift by moving its metal-and-carbon-fiber skeleton via electro-hydraulic actuators is marvelously creative and practically ingenious at the same time. We around the Autoblog offices had a big discussion about the car after it was revealed and were amazed with the out-of-the-box ideas BMW is exploring, though some were doubtful that a fabric skin could ever be used for an actual production vehicle. While it was fun perusing the dozens and dozens of images that BMW handed out showing the GINA in various states of fold, the video above shows you exactly what the concept can do. Keep your eyes peeled for the headlight wink, disappearing gauges, pop-up head rests, a magic spoiler and much more. We reiterate, this thing is about as cool as concepts get. Thanks for the tip, Joe!

[Mr. Wyndham]

Oh my God!?! It looks so......alien and deformed!






Credit to it, though -- the hood thing is pretty cool.

[bouncertime]

I actually think the idea of the car is pretty cool, but it is ugly. Being cloth they can manipulate the body in ways that sheet metal and plastic never could. The other advantage is the weight.

[Kyle2k]

That is so cool, it makes it seem more organic and living or something, although it looks kind of gross when the door opens...just the fact that it will all smooth out makes it really cool!

[boxmonkeyracing]

yea saw this a couple days ago. love how the eyes (headlights) open. imagine though a car made like that except styled so much better? lol.

[thelastz28]

WOW! That might be the future of all cars....

[Chevyrocker]

oh, and be sure to watch the video. it really seems like the car is alive...

[Tomash]

Nice on the innovation side.

Still I'm with the old school -- made of metal and agressive shapes (like, for instance, 5th gen )

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by jsenn

oh, and be sure to watch the video. it really seems like the car is alive...

Thanks for that. Now I think it's awesome. who knew? I still think the initial design is ugly as sin, though...this concept would look much better as a...Camaro, for example.

But there's just so many advantages to this idea:

Think of the WEIGHT savings that this could offer! Among the very obvious metal element, there's no light housings; and no big, heavy hinges to handle the doors. It could help vehicles become more fuel efficient AND perform better.

When you get into a little parking lot bumper fun...the fabric just stretches back to where it should be: no scratches, and no dents.

It will be easier/cheaper to manufacture into vehicles, because there's no need for huge stamping machines that need to have it's dies recut each time you want to change something. Also on the manufacturer's side; as metal prices rise this could be a good alternative. And if it's made from a renuable, disposable material, this could aid the "Green" image of vehicles.

I could so see this in the future of cars. Hey, GM! Take this idea, and run with it!


EDIT: However....this could be a bite to wash. Orrrr...you could throw your car into the washing machine! 2 hours...that's as long as it takes me to wash the car now, anyways!

[DGthe3]

I prefer my concept cars to be more 'prototype' than 'what if' exersices. It is interesting from an artistic point of view, and there are some tricky bits of engineering that go into pulling that off.

Buuuuut I'm not really thrilled by it.

[boxmonkeyracing]

The fabric skin would/could lighten the weight of a car quite abit. but safety pillers and cages would be needed. and that's what's wrong with MPG now adays. . .everything is just to dang heavy. put the same engine tech we have now in a lighter car and you'd increase your gas mileage quite a bit. imagine. . .

[Kyle2k]

What about people like slashing body panels now though? that could really suck.

[Mindz]

Then it would look like the Ariel Atom.



As for the design of the car, I like it. It's a Z4 roadster with Z8 lines, with the spoiler of the 6 series. I would drive one.

Besides,the car looks like an angry rhino with the nose and especially with the blinking eyes in that color