Tuesday 10th June 2008

New Material

Pics and vid of BMW's new fabric car

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With the introduction of folding metal hardtops we thought the days of using canvas on cars were numbered. But if a new concept by BMW is anything to go by this couldn’t be further from the truth – as the car’s entire body has been made of fabric.

The extraordinary thing about the GINA Light Visionary model, which we previewed last week, is that individual functions such as lights are only revealed when necessary. The car also dispenses with traditional panels and doors; instead the body is made of a flexible textile cover that stretches across a moveable substructure.

The lights blink open when operated and in place of a bonnet the skin stretches open to reveal the engine. Other parts of the body can move to meet certain conditions.

For example instead of a rear spoiler the entire back of the car lifts seamlessly to create extra downforce. The fabric that makes up the outer layer is water-repellent and resistant to extreme temperatures, and because it stretches over a structure replicates metal panels.

BMW used the expertise of seat pattern designers to help sculpt the bodywork and make sure it keeps tension in all conditions. The special fabric is supported by a metal wire structure.

At specific points, the high-strength metal is enhanced by carbon struts with a higher flexibility. The interior is as innovative as the exterior and whenever the driver parks the steering wheel and instruments go into ‘idle position’, making it easier to get in and out.

When the driver is in place the seat’s backrest rises, the steering wheel and instrument panel move towards the driver and car is started with a start/stop button. Part of the thinking behind GINA is to cut down on tooling and consume less resources and energy than in traditional car making.

The car is made up of an aluminium space frame and rides on 20” wheels. Chris Bangle, head of BMW design, says that GINA is a design philosophy that will be used to meet the challenges of the future. ‘Personal customer requirements will broaden the context of our products and change the core values that define our industry along the way,’ he added.

 

[drunknfuctup]

GROTESQUE......

[jimmy_mac]

A gimmick, but a rather cool one nonetheless...

[gizard]

Oooh that's really spooky the car is kind of alive!

suppose you don't get dents and scrapes either....

[BoRED S2upid]

gizard said:

Oooh that's really spooky the car is kind of alive!

suppose you don't get dents and scrapes either....

Chav with a knife?.

How light would this car be?. If you get bored of the colour could you buy a new skin?. I have so many questions.

[kambites]

gizard said:

suppose you don't get dents and scrapes either....

You get tears instead.

[Andrew[MG]]

Someone been giving out drugs at the BMW factory?

[Collaudatore]

BoRED S2upid said:

gizard said:

Oooh that's really spooky the car is kind of alive!

suppose you don't get dents and scrapes either....

Chav with a knife?.

How light would this car be?. If you get bored of the colour could you buy a new skin?. I have so many questions.

No, just leave it out in the sun to get tanned.

[bramble111s]

This is a superb idea, of course we have questions, cleaning etc, although would have thought getting a reskin would be an option every 3 years or so...

Light weight sports cars here we come!

Of course it's not new, as the first aeroplanes used this idea!

However it seems like a really good application! Hope Lotus are taking notes...

[Baffled Spoon]

That is quite cool but there are too many issues imo. Getting into a canvas roofed cabrio is far too easy for most chavs, I dread to think what the insurance industry would make of this then

[Nuova500]

And when it gets dirty, pop it in on a 40deg synthetic wash & bingo.

[johno_gt]

Wow, that is pretty ingenious.

My question though, when the material, especially around the doors, is subjected to continuous movement...will it sag or stretch? Can't see it looking particularly attractive then.

[T.J.]

That is, without a doubt, the coolest car I have seen in ages.

Looks epic, & really interesting technology.

So many questions - safety, weight saving, how robust is it over its lifetime etc etc etc.

[Dirty Monkey]

I went to Hendon RAF museum last weekend and saw a lot of old biplanes that were made out of wood and fabric. And the amazing thing was that structures that looked 4 times bigger than Lotus Elise would weigh 700kg! even the latest Elise isn't a slim as that.

Yes there are problems, like someone mentioned the chav with knife. But I think that metal frame and doped fabric could really be an interesting concept for a lightweight sports car...may be not in BMW range though. But still, its kind of encouraging that a big company like this is thinking about it.

[minisloth]

Can't say I like it really, but it's a pretty cool gimmick.

[drewcole81]

johno_gt said:

Wow, that is pretty ingenious.

My question though, when the material, especially around the doors, is subjected to continuous movement...will it sag or stretch? Can't see it looking particularly attractive then.

There aren't any doors, boot or bonnet on it so there wont be any sag...

If you have a small crash can you just iron out the fabric with some easyiron so its all flat again!?

[the_orange_baron]

Magic!

Well done BMW...something new and exciting

[chunkymonkey71]

looks cool.

they should make it out of acrylic, then it can give people static shocks as it drives past them!!!



Or is it like the Shreddies advert? Old grannies knitting cars!!!

Edited by chunkymonkey71 on Tuesday 10th June 12:15

[fatboy b]

kambites said:

gizard said:

suppose you don't get dents and scrapes either....

You get tears instead.

[chris333]

Who wouldn't want a car that winks

[Toltec]

BoRED S2upid said:

gizard said:

Oooh that's really spooky the car is kind of alive!

suppose you don't get dents and scrapes either....

Chav with a knife?.

How light would this car be?. If you get bored of the colour could you buy a new skin?. I have so many questions.

Weight & chav damage was what occurred to me too, also what happens when you get pressure differentials developing at speed.

Add in a chassis that can reconfigure itself towards 4x4 for negotiating speed bumps or sports car for motorways.

While we are at it how about a four seater that can change from hatch back for passengers and luggage to sleek coupe when the rear seats are not needed.

Almost SF liquid metal so kind of cool, I think it is good that a major manufacturer is willing to explore new concepts like this.