BMW: Concept Gran Coupe news **To Be Part of 6-Series (page 3)**
04-19-2007, 12:49 PM
#1
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BMW: Concept Gran Coupe news **To Be Part of 6-Series (page 3)**
Hopefully this is not a repost:
Linky (to see pics - go into photo gallery):
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../70419001/1024
Tomorrow, BMW will take wraps off the Concept CS at the Shanghai auto show—a car that is a very thinly veiled representation of a model soon headed for production.
The CS is envisioned as a range-topping four-door with coupe styling, sharing underpinnings with the next-generation 7 Series. The exterior dimensions are impressive—and large. The low-slung body stretches 200.8 inches long and a huge 78 inches wide, but is a scant 53.5 inches high. For comparison, the current 7 Series is smaller than this beast: 198.4 inches long, 58.7 inches high and 74.9 inches wide. Even with its increased length and width, the seating capacity in the CS—and the production four-door coupe it will spawn—drops to four.
Our sources in Shanghai report the CS seeks to bridge the gap between the 7 Series and Rolls-Royce, as well as fend off the upcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide, and provide an answer to the high-end version of the Mercedes-Benz CLS—the car that started the four-door coupe craze. Equally important, it foreshadows the direction of BMW design.
The styling of the concept is a natural progression of the initially derided and now much copied “flamed surfacing” treatment initiated by American designer Chris Bangle. This car continues to carry concave body panels, but adds ever-sharpening creases at its flanks and rear; note the exaggerated hip line that helps to show both length and stance for the car. From behind, the edginess—and futuristic look—of this design is apparent. The Concept CS’s style shows a kind of toughness that buyers of the production car can only hope it will emulate. Huge 21-inch wheels hint at the performance potential and exaggerated rear fenders remind you of BMW’s rear-drive philosophy.
BMW no doubt will offer an M variant. Power for the highest performance model should be a 6.0-liter V12, which will essentially add two cylinders to the 5.0-liter V10 in the M5; the likelihood is that everything that wears an M badge will use a configuration of that engine. As example, the next M3 cuts off a pair of cylinders to have a 4.0-liter V8.
Choosing Shanghai to showcase its new design direction may seem odd for the German company—especially with the Frankfurt auto show looming this fall—but chairman Norbert Reithofer made it clear that Asia is growing in importance to BMW. Last year, the Munich-based automaker sold 45,000 cars in China with 8669 of those being the company’s flagship 7 Series. Only the United States, at about 18,000 cars, consumes more of the big sedans. Also, in conjunction with its Chinese partner, Brilliance, BMW manufactures a stretched version of its 5 Series in China, the only market in which that car is sold.
“You don’t have to look at the impressive skyline of Pudong [Shanghai] to understand that Chinese mainland with is high growth rates is on its way to becoming one of the world’s most important automotive markets,” Reithofer said.
“Over the last five years, the BMW brand alone has risen by more than 750 percent in Chinese mainland. No other major premium brand achieves such dynamic growth rates in this market,” he added. Reithofer said the company’s goal is to sell 150,000 cars in Asia next year. The United States, with sales of more than 273,000 cars, is the largest BMW market, with Germany a close second.
Reithofer and BMW designer Adrian van Hooydonk stressed that the Concept CS is just that, a concept. But van Hooydonk said everything on the big car could be translated to production, meaning the low-slung shark nose front end especially could meet all pedestrian safety standards.
“This is a purpose-built car, but it shows where the brand could possibly go,” van Hooydonk said. “Pedestrian safety standards will not impact our brand identity.”
Linky (to see pics - go into photo gallery):
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../70419001/1024
Tomorrow, BMW will take wraps off the Concept CS at the Shanghai auto show—a car that is a very thinly veiled representation of a model soon headed for production.
The CS is envisioned as a range-topping four-door with coupe styling, sharing underpinnings with the next-generation 7 Series. The exterior dimensions are impressive—and large. The low-slung body stretches 200.8 inches long and a huge 78 inches wide, but is a scant 53.5 inches high. For comparison, the current 7 Series is smaller than this beast: 198.4 inches long, 58.7 inches high and 74.9 inches wide. Even with its increased length and width, the seating capacity in the CS—and the production four-door coupe it will spawn—drops to four.
Our sources in Shanghai report the CS seeks to bridge the gap between the 7 Series and Rolls-Royce, as well as fend off the upcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide, and provide an answer to the high-end version of the Mercedes-Benz CLS—the car that started the four-door coupe craze. Equally important, it foreshadows the direction of BMW design.
The styling of the concept is a natural progression of the initially derided and now much copied “flamed surfacing” treatment initiated by American designer Chris Bangle. This car continues to carry concave body panels, but adds ever-sharpening creases at its flanks and rear; note the exaggerated hip line that helps to show both length and stance for the car. From behind, the edginess—and futuristic look—of this design is apparent. The Concept CS’s style shows a kind of toughness that buyers of the production car can only hope it will emulate. Huge 21-inch wheels hint at the performance potential and exaggerated rear fenders remind you of BMW’s rear-drive philosophy.
BMW no doubt will offer an M variant. Power for the highest performance model should be a 6.0-liter V12, which will essentially add two cylinders to the 5.0-liter V10 in the M5; the likelihood is that everything that wears an M badge will use a configuration of that engine. As example, the next M3 cuts off a pair of cylinders to have a 4.0-liter V8.
Choosing Shanghai to showcase its new design direction may seem odd for the German company—especially with the Frankfurt auto show looming this fall—but chairman Norbert Reithofer made it clear that Asia is growing in importance to BMW. Last year, the Munich-based automaker sold 45,000 cars in China with 8669 of those being the company’s flagship 7 Series. Only the United States, at about 18,000 cars, consumes more of the big sedans. Also, in conjunction with its Chinese partner, Brilliance, BMW manufactures a stretched version of its 5 Series in China, the only market in which that car is sold.
“You don’t have to look at the impressive skyline of Pudong [Shanghai] to understand that Chinese mainland with is high growth rates is on its way to becoming one of the world’s most important automotive markets,” Reithofer said.
“Over the last five years, the BMW brand alone has risen by more than 750 percent in Chinese mainland. No other major premium brand achieves such dynamic growth rates in this market,” he added. Reithofer said the company’s goal is to sell 150,000 cars in Asia next year. The United States, with sales of more than 273,000 cars, is the largest BMW market, with Germany a close second.
Reithofer and BMW designer Adrian van Hooydonk stressed that the Concept CS is just that, a concept. But van Hooydonk said everything on the big car could be translated to production, meaning the low-slung shark nose front end especially could meet all pedestrian safety standards.
“This is a purpose-built car, but it shows where the brand could possibly go,” van Hooydonk said. “Pedestrian safety standards will not impact our brand identity.”
04-19-2007, 01:00 PM
#2
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04-19-2007, 01:39 PM
#5
Senior Moderator
^ Okeydokey...
Pics are here...
Top Gear's blurb about it...
Pics are here...
Top Gear's blurb about it...
Great War of China Part II: BMW Concept CS
Yes, it's all kicking off in China. Although Audi did its level best to steal BMW's thunder with the Audi Cross Coupe concept, it was the Bavarian behemoth's Concept CS that emerged on top at the Shanghai show.
A four-door coupe in the mould of the Merc CLS, the Concept CS is based on the same platform as the upcoming 7-series. That basically means it's a big bugger - more than five metres long - but low-slung at just 134cm high.
It's certainly considerably larger than the CLS, and it's likely to weigh in a fair bit pricier too. BMW seems to have targeted the Porsche/Aston end of the grand touring market, so expect to pay on the steep side of 100 grand when it reaches production.
There's a significant chunk of Aston in the styling, too. We're getting strong hints of DB7 in the profile... no bad thing in our book. That sharky nose - described in deeply unsexy fashion as a 'kidney grill' - is all BMW, though, and gives the CS an aggressive air, if somewhat compromising the elegant lines of the rest of the body.
BMW is staying curiously quiet on the technical details of its new concept, but rumours are that the CS will get a six-litre V12 - basically the M5's V10 with another couple of cylinders stuck on.
Now that's the sort of maths we like.
Yes, it's all kicking off in China. Although Audi did its level best to steal BMW's thunder with the Audi Cross Coupe concept, it was the Bavarian behemoth's Concept CS that emerged on top at the Shanghai show.
A four-door coupe in the mould of the Merc CLS, the Concept CS is based on the same platform as the upcoming 7-series. That basically means it's a big bugger - more than five metres long - but low-slung at just 134cm high.
It's certainly considerably larger than the CLS, and it's likely to weigh in a fair bit pricier too. BMW seems to have targeted the Porsche/Aston end of the grand touring market, so expect to pay on the steep side of 100 grand when it reaches production.
There's a significant chunk of Aston in the styling, too. We're getting strong hints of DB7 in the profile... no bad thing in our book. That sharky nose - described in deeply unsexy fashion as a 'kidney grill' - is all BMW, though, and gives the CS an aggressive air, if somewhat compromising the elegant lines of the rest of the body.
BMW is staying curiously quiet on the technical details of its new concept, but rumours are that the CS will get a six-litre V12 - basically the M5's V10 with another couple of cylinders stuck on.
Now that's the sort of maths we like.
04-19-2007, 01:41 PM
#6
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Interior pics...
04-19-2007, 01:58 PM
#7
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by danny25
^ it could use it's own thread instead of being lumped in with a bunch of ramblings from 2 years ago. 
Anyway, what do ppl think about the looks??? I really like the side profile, and the back is not too bad. Im not sure how I feel about the front view though,...I guess its pretty nice.
Last edited by West6MT; 04-19-2007 at 02:00 PM.
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04-19-2007, 05:15 PM
#10
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Oh my... my, my, my... that's shit is the hotness. I haven't been feeling ANY BMW concepts or production models for a few years now, but the CS is undeniable. The interior is absoluely awesome, and the exterior is the shit. Period. The Aston's Rapide still wins (atleast exterior wise), but the CS is a close second.
04-19-2007, 05:38 PM
#11
Midnight Marauder
Thats crazy cool, its also nice seeing BMW going back to the driver oriented interior design.
04-19-2007, 06:04 PM
#13
I like the sleek design.
04-19-2007, 10:20 PM
#16
Some dude
but wouldn't this cut into 7 series sales. Its bad enough the S Class kills it in the looks department, now they're going to cut into their own market share if this thing goes into production.
04-19-2007, 10:36 PM
#17
Engineer
IWHI... very sexy... better than the CLS...
04-19-2007, 10:37 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by mikeschicagoRL
but wouldn't this cut into 7 series sales. Its bad enough the S Class kills it in the looks department, now they're going to cut into their own market share if this thing goes into production.
I love the looks of it from the pictures, and I'm sure it'll be 10x better if I ever get a chance to see it in person.
04-19-2007, 11:43 PM
#20
The sizzle in the Steak
I likes!
04-20-2007, 01:18 AM
#21
I agree on the pig snout, it's gotta go.
So, according to the video posted a few days back, Bangle believes that the car is a projection of its owner's image to the outside world. Take that as you will ...
So, according to the video posted a few days back, Bangle believes that the car is a projection of its owner's image to the outside world. Take that as you will ...
04-20-2007, 09:59 AM
#22
IMO the sleek profile would make for a great new 7-Series...
04-20-2007, 10:10 AM
#23
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Originally Posted by phile
IMO the sleek profile would make for a great new 7-Series...
04-20-2007, 03:19 PM
#26
Midnight Marauder
They way this thing looks, it just screams Quatroporte to me. And if they make this into an 8 series it will match up quite well against it.
04-23-2007, 07:44 PM
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I guess I'm one of the few people that like the design...I'm sure they'll make a few changes before ever putting it into production.
How is the market for these types of vehicles anyways? Cross shop between the Panarema, Quattroporte, Rapide. Actually the Rapide if ever put into production, its on its own.
How is the market for these types of vehicles anyways? Cross shop between the Panarema, Quattroporte, Rapide. Actually the Rapide if ever put into production, its on its own.
04-23-2007, 08:30 PM
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This thing looks great. I think Bangle has finally found a compromise between good looking and daring.
I bet the new 7er will look a lot like this; the Autoweek article tells us that this is how BMWs of the future will look, and even if it will indeed be a separate model, I'm sure the 7 will take a lot of the styling cues.
I bet the new 7er will look a lot like this; the Autoweek article tells us that this is how BMWs of the future will look, and even if it will indeed be a separate model, I'm sure the 7 will take a lot of the styling cues.
03-19-2008, 04:35 PM
#37
Senior Moderator
Update
From WCF...
BMW’s Concept CS is now showing off its futuristic interpretation of a sports coupe GT at the New York International Auto Show being held in Manhattan, NYC. The Concept CS you’ll recall, made its first public appearance at the Shanghai Auto Show in 2007. The car, bigger than a 7 Series, is the next style benchmark for BMW, taking flame surfacing to its next level.
Featuring an interior fit for a proper GT, the Concept CS will definitely be built, according to our sources inside BMW. Meanwhile, the M3 Convertible also makes its American debut at the show. M3 Convertible fits the same 4.0-litre V8 found in the coupe and saloon versions. It pronounces 414 bhp from its natural aspiration. M DCT, the new double-clutch gearbox, has been presented in the M3 Convertible. The 7-speed transmission looks set to star in other BMW products of the near future, especially upcoming M cars as well as its twin-turbo powered cars.
Featuring an interior fit for a proper GT, the Concept CS will definitely be built, according to our sources inside BMW. Meanwhile, the M3 Convertible also makes its American debut at the show. M3 Convertible fits the same 4.0-litre V8 found in the coupe and saloon versions. It pronounces 414 bhp from its natural aspiration. M DCT, the new double-clutch gearbox, has been presented in the M3 Convertible. The 7-speed transmission looks set to star in other BMW products of the near future, especially upcoming M cars as well as its twin-turbo powered cars.
03-19-2008, 04:44 PM
#39
Senior Moderator
Car looks like it has a pig-face. 
03-19-2008, 04:44 PM
#40
Senior Moderator
if they have a pink version...