Saturday, July 5, 2008

BMW GINA Light Visionary Model Concept






BMW has presented its latest concept which could change its shape in many ways known as GINA Light Visionary Model Concept. GINA stands for ‘Geometry and Functions In “N” Adaptions,’ with N adaptations referring to the flexible outer skin that is made out of cloth.

The GINA is a 2-seater concept car that is built over a Z8 platform and might be powered by a V8 engine. The car was designed by designers from both BMW and BMW Group DesignworksUSA.

The cloth that is used as the outer layer skin is a special highly durable and extremely expansion-resistant fabric material which remains dimensionally stable irrespective of the temperature and air humidity.

Under the special cloth is a special chassis structure which includes movable sub-frames to vary the outer layer of cloth according to the functionality needed. This can be seen when during the day, the headlamps are completely hidden behind the cloth but the cloth will expose the headlamps at the left and right of the GINA’s grille when the driver swith on the light. At the rear, the rear brake lamps and indicator lamps just simply shine through the cloth.

The spoiler hidden under the cloth at the rear can be raised when required for different aerodynamic needs but the spoiler will remain under the cloth.

The special cloth is supported by a metal wire structure and at certain points, the high-strength metal is enhanced by carbon struts with a higher flexibility. The frame has also been optimized to support the aspects of crash-safety, stiffness and ride handling, entirely without an outer surface.

Watch the video where Chris Bangle explains more on the GINA Light Visionary Model Concept.

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