BMW Gina Concept

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

have you guys seen this thing? Its weird as hell! Instead of having a metal body its fabric stretched over a frame so it can move and change shape as needed. Check out the video on you tube.

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[fivecheebs]

Thats too cool! Wonder what a stone would do though at high speeds.

[fillip]

Saw a pic of this on the front of a car mag the other day and then completely forgot about it - hadn't realised it was fabric, just thought that it was the sexy new version of the Z4! :h34r:

Ahwell, very cool but can't see it as having a practical use in today's cars. It clearly couldn't meet safety standards in the first instance. I suppose the thing with these concept vehicles is that they tend to include some technologies that do make the next line of cars from that manufacturer, so I wonder which bits BMW have earmarked for inclusion...*

*Apologies if that is answered in the vid, couldn't have the sound on at work.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

It was made as design guide line according to the video. IIRC they think the fabric type stuff will be 10 years in the future.

[Pug]

I'm sure I read recently about a fabric in development that was supposed to be more resilient than Titanium. Was just surfing though, so unfortunately didn't bookmark the link.

Nope, seems I mis-remembered. :o)

New 'super-paper' is stronger than cast iron (http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn14084-new-superpaper-is-stronger-than-cast-iron.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news6_head_dn14084)

[zittware]

Freaky.

[Pug]

Heh. I just watched it again with sound...

I love those lights (firstly the rear but the winking front was a genius touch for the video).


I realised then, we've used fabric roofs on cars for some time now. With perhaps some reinforcement to the front, there's no reason this concept wouldn't work using existing materials.
I mean, hey, if you need further justification of how superfluous body panels really are, just look at the Ariel Atom. :-p

[eidderf]

it would be great to see some pictures of the frame with no material on it

ps those lights were awesome