NationStates Jolt Archive


BMW unveils shapeshifting concept car!

New Ziedrich
16-06-2008, 09:59
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/585/BMW-GINA-Light-Visionary-Model;_ylc=X3oDMTE0OGs4ZDduBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawNibXctZ2luYQ--

BMW GINA Light Visionary ModelBMW just unveiled its latest design philosophy — via a radical concept car — that will sure to raise some eyebrows in the automotive industry. Touted as the "game changer" for the "development of tomorrow's mobility," the new concept centers around the GINA principle, for Geometry and Functions In "N" Adaptions. What this means is the ability for BMW to think outside the box and innovate maximum ideas with mininum amount of the usual constraints associated with car design.

The first translation of the GINA philosophy into physical being is demonstrated in the Light Visionary Model concept. The only specs that may be familiar are the car's realistic 8-cylinder powertrain package residing in a roadster built from an aluminum space-frame chassis with two double tailpies and 20-in. alloy wheels at the corners. Other than that, it is the Visionary's exterior body that will catch all of us by surprise. It is skinned by four large pieces of flexible material that can stretch and contract based on a number of substructures that can move about on the chassis with electro and electrohydraulic controls.

There are four main pieces of skin that make up the Visionary's body: The largest component starts at the front of the car and extends all the way to the base of the windscreen, then down and across the two doors, ending at the rear edge. The next two fabric-like skins begin at the front lower rocker panels, then run across the rear wheel arches to the back. The last piece of skin makes up the rear deck. The roadster's scissor-type doors open with its outer skin wrinkled in a very clearly defined pattern, but they are stretched back into a silky-smooth surface when the doors close.

The fabric that covers the Visionary's body is constructed from a waterproof and temperature-resistant mesh netting on the outer layer, supported by a flexible metal- wire structure underneath to maintain the skin's tension and smoothness. Around a few areas where curvatures of the skin are called for, carbon struts are added to allow for higher flexibility while keeping the rounded contours.

The Light Visionary Model is striking not only because of its fabric outer skin, but also its utility in form following function. Because of the flexible skin, the headlights can be hidden or exposed when necessary. The side markers to signal lane changes are not visible on the outside until they are turned on during use — their light shines though the translucent (but not transparent) cover. Airflow around the car can be managed actively as the skin can be closed, opened or stretched based on need; the rocker-panel shape can be adjusted for better aerodynamics. And because the rear deck is covered by one single piece of fabric, the spoiler can be completely hidden when it is not in use.

Chris Bangle, Head of BMW Group Design, says, "Personal customer requirements will broaden the context of our products and change the core values that define our industry along the way." That's why BMW is focused on breaking new ground and finding innovative design solutions. And by the looks of the GINA Light Visionary Model, BMW is in the forefront of ingenious automotive design.

Okay, so it might not be the prettiest BMW ever, but the technology is fascinating. Active airflow management? Awesome. This is really some innovative stuff.
Rexmehe
16-06-2008, 10:29
I'd like to see the safety specs on that thing, and how efficient it is, how carbon neutral, before judging it as a game changer.

Just from looking through the slideshow, purely aesthetically not really a fan of the wrinkles.
Cannot think of a name
16-06-2008, 10:35
One step closer to the dream of owning the Gadget Mobile...
Barringtonia
16-06-2008, 11:27
I'd like to see the safety specs on that thing, and how efficient it is, how carbon neutral, before judging it as a game changer.

Just from looking through the slideshow, purely aesthetically not really a fan of the wrinkles.

It's not the car that's a game changer, aside from being the first example of moving away from the 'build from steel' philosophy of cars.

The game changer is in applying new ideas to vehicles, being open to any thought in terms of design. This version simply shows what that might mean.

It's also pretty cool, the Youtube ad video is much better at getting across the idea compared to a slideshow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTYiEkQYhWY

Ha, I just put on my headphones to check it was the right video and there was this great soundtrack to it, I then realised I'd left my own i-Tunes playing, there's actual commentary on the video.
Rambhutan
16-06-2008, 11:51
Looks like you would have to put some anti-wrinkle cream on it every night.
Pure Metal
16-06-2008, 11:51
wow, cool idea... but it's a fucking ugly car :p
Nadkor
16-06-2008, 13:28
Shapeshifting, you say? It's a witch! Burn it!
Call to power
16-06-2008, 13:28
Transformers just died :(
IL Ruffino
16-06-2008, 13:35
Transformers just died :(

Thank god.
The blessed Chris
16-06-2008, 13:38
Not sure. Interesting concept, but I suspect the reality of owning one would be frustrating. Give me an Aston instead.
Rambhutan
16-06-2008, 13:43
They could do the same with planes...oh they did in WWI.
Call to power
16-06-2008, 13:56
Not sure. Interesting concept, but I suspect the reality of owning one would be frustrating.

it would make washing it interesting
Lunatic Goofballs
16-06-2008, 14:01
A flexible skin could hold more clowns.
The blessed Chris
16-06-2008, 14:03
it would make washing it interesting

Lol. On a vaguely car related note, messyrs Clarkson, Hammond and May are returning in a few weeks. Rejoice!
Kyronea
16-06-2008, 15:47
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/585/BMW-GINA-Light-Visionary-Model;_ylc=X3oDMTE0OGs4ZDduBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawNibXctZ2luYQ--



Okay, so it might not be the prettiest BMW ever, but the technology is fascinating. Active airflow management? Awesome. This is really some innovative stuff.

There is a very serious problem with this car: it pretends to be some sort of super roadster when it clearly doesn't fit the bill, since we all know that most such cars are owned by men in their mid-life crisis, and the last thing they need is a car that has as many wrinkles as they do.
Entropic Creation
16-06-2008, 20:02
What exactly is so amazing about this car?

So they wrap it all in fabric - big deal.
There isnt any 'shapeshifting' going on - that is useless hyperbolic press trying to sensationalize something you can see coming from any middle school kid.

Oh, they cover the door in fabric, so its not actually a door opening, its like the car is changing shape! Please. I could wrap my car in shrinkwrap, but that doesn't make moving the headrest 'shapeshifting'.

Tell me what makes this car different. Does it use some new type of engine? Is the frame highly flexible so it absorbs an impact? Can it change between a roadster and a station wagon (now that would be shapeshifting)?
Rambhutan
16-06-2008, 20:03
Still if you damaged one of the wings you could always get your mum to knit you another one.
greed and death
16-06-2008, 20:41
they better make a shape changing SUV for me.
East Coast Federation
16-06-2008, 21:06
[QUOTE=Rexmehe;13771768]I'd like to see the safety specs on that thing, and how efficient it is, how carbon neutral, before judging it as a game changer.

QUOTE]


Umm, because how carbon neutral it is matters at all when your buying a car?
Gauthier
17-06-2008, 01:21
They make this (http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/spyhuntermovie_carrendering.jpg) shapeshifting car and I'll buy it.
Cannot think of a name
17-06-2008, 02:41
I'd like to see the safety specs on that thing, and how efficient it is, how carbon neutral, before judging it as a game changer.




Umm, because how carbon neutral it is matters at all when your buying a car?
You perhaps haven't seen the sales figures for the Prius?
East Coast Federation
17-06-2008, 03:18
You perhaps haven't seen the sales figures for the Prius?

I think it has WAY more to do with the fact that it gets decent gas milage. Which actually it doesn't.

In the real world you get about 45mpg at best. My 07 Civic SI with 200 horsepower all stock gets 41mpg on the highway when I baby it. Suck it prius.
Non Aligned States
17-06-2008, 04:23
I think it has WAY more to do with the fact that it gets decent gas milage. Which actually it doesn't.

In the real world you get about 45mpg at best. My 07 Civic SI with 200 horsepower all stock gets 41mpg on the highway when I baby it. Suck it prius.

Objects in motion take less energy to sustain that motion than it does for it to go from a rest state. You cannot compare a Prius on a city route with a Civic on a highway route and say that it is a fair comparison. That is nothing but the sort of dishonesty you expect from greasy second hand car salespeople.

Show statistics comparing both vehicles on the same stretch of road at the same speed with an equal amount of petrol. Total distance covered will show which one has better mileage.
Anti-Social Darwinism
17-06-2008, 05:58
It looks carnivorous.
Toxiarra
17-06-2008, 07:32
The prius is for yuppy pussies jumping on the "green bandwagon" because suddenly being "green" is what's cool.

You want a real fucking EV, go see my friend Paul.


www.worldclassexotics.com

THOSE are real electric cars. Get your damn prius out of my face. With solar collectors on the roof, these cars have an indefinite range, use ZERO gasoline, go 120 mph, and charge using sunlight. Paul has been doing this for years, and the cars he makes will always be a shining example of what environmentalists can do when they use their brains instead of being dumbass potsmoking hippies that never take showers and think they are bettering the world by living in their parents basements making cheap jewelry to sell at carnivals and listening to phish.

</soapbox>
God I hate hippies.
Delator
17-06-2008, 07:38
Some jackass with a knife could already ruin your day...now he can take half your car's exterior??

No thanks.
Wilgrove
17-06-2008, 07:39
The prius is for yuppy pussies jumping on the "green bandwagon" because suddenly being "green" is what's cool.

You want a real fucking EV, go see my friend Paul.


www.worldclassexotics.com

THOSE are real electric cars. Get your damn prius out of my face. With solar collectors on the roof, these cars have an indefinite range, use ZERO gasoline, go 120 mph, and charge using sunlight. Paul has been doing this for years, and the cars he makes will always be a shining example of what environmentalists can do when they use their brains instead of being dumbass potsmoking hippies that never take showers and think they are bettering the world by living in their parents basements making cheap jewelry to sell at carnivals and listening to phish.

</soapbox>
God I hate hippies.

I love you.

and God that car in the OP is UGLY!
Nobel Hobos
17-06-2008, 12:12
BMW just unveiled its latest design philosophy — via a radical concept car — that will sure to raise some eyebrows in the automotive industry. Touted as the "game changer" for the "development of tomorrow's mobility," the new concept centers around the GINA principle, for Geometry and Functions In "N" Adaptions. What this means is the ability for BMW to think outside the box and innovate maximum ideas with mininum amount of the usual constraints associated with car design.

No. Get fucked. I'm not reading any more.

http://f3.yahoofs.com/ymg/autos_content_landing_pages__9/autos_content_landing_pages-402481893-1213313482.jpg?ymLX0h_CaZl4stIE

"Like, it's a Batcar, right? But now ... a stealth fighter!

...

PROFIT!