Wednesday 5th November 2008

BMW CS Concept Axed

Bavarian giant cancels road-going version of super-luxury concept

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BMW has made the shock decision to cancel a production version of its burly-looking CS concept car. The announcement comes after the car wowed crowds at the Shanghai motorshow last year, and will be a big disappointment to many fans of the brand. The company had previously confirmed the car will make it to the showrooms.

The company's CEO Norbert Reithofer explained at a press conference yesterday that in the face of the global economic downturn, profitability has become more of a key concern than merely maintaining and sharpening the brand. He said that 'for the time being, we can do without this “brand shaper” since we have many others in our portfolio ... The sharper focus on profitability will result, amongst other things, in product decisions being revisited'.

BMW's last quarterly profits worldwide equated to just 1.3%, leaving considerably less cash for PR exercises and exotic cars. The carmaker first announced plans to turn the concept into a production car around September 2007, which if it had made it into production would have revived the range-topping 8-Series moniker.

Mr Reithofer added that the brand's priorities going forward would be more real-world models and green technologies, such as the 'EfficientDynamics' program and the Project i city car, and the possible revival of the once-iconic Isetta brand.

[Ed.]

"profitability has become more of a key concern than merely maintaining and sharpening the brand"
Profit stabilisation means bmw will still be around in 10 years,
Profit maximisation (cost-cutting) means their current cars won't

[Bill Carr]

Bit of a shame that, as it's a terrific-looking car, but I guess when needs must...

[pgilc1]

Ed. said:

Profit maximisation (cost-cutting) means their current cars won't

I think that would be adding 2+2 and getting 5.

They can remain profitable without cost cutting build quality etc. Lets be honest the CS concept is a bad idea in this global climate. I'm sure they dont want another 8 series on their hands.

Edited by pgilc1 on Wednesday 5th November 11:23

[Andrew D]

pgilc1 said:

Ed. said:

I'm sure they dont want another 8 series on their hands.

... like the X6...

[ar0u2211]

Is it just me or does this look like what the 4 door Aston will turn out.
Shame, I like it!

[ZesPak]

I thought it was deemed to good looking...

[clonmult]

If BMW weren't making some strange products, then this would make more sense.

Having seen pics of the X1, which is apparently the same size as the X3, I wonder what sort of drugs the BMW designers are on. Is the idea to upsize the X3, the X5 so that this makes sense? There's nothing "wrong" with the size of the X3 and 5, so why bring out the X1?

[E21_Ross]

Ed. said:

"profitability has become more of a key concern than merely maintaining and sharpening the brand"
Profit stabilisation means bmw will still be around in 10 years,
Profit maximisation (cost-cutting) means their current cars won't

they have seen the mistake merc took, i don't think BMW will be as silly. their build quality will remain very good i'm confident of that.

[pgilc1]

clonmult said:

If BMW weren't making some strange products, then this would make more sense.

Having seen pics of the X1, which is apparently the same size as the X3, I wonder what sort of drugs the BMW designers are on. Is the idea to upsize the X3, the X5 so that this makes sense? There's nothing "wrong" with the size of the X3 and 5, so why bring out the X1?

They're expecting 4x4 owners to 'downsize'. The market sector of 4x4's is still strong, but not so much for x5s / MLs anymore, hence the movement towards smaller 4x4s.

There is a new x3 due soon so hopefully the range will make more sense when that happens.

[pgilc1]

Andrew D said:

pgilc1 said:

Ed. said:

I'm sure they dont want another 8 series on their hands.

... like the X6...

Hateful things.

[wab172uk]

Yeah, shame the same decision wasn't taken over the X6

[SleeperCell]

Dont worry, they are still making the V series .

[dave71]

ar0u2211 said:

Is it just me or does this look like what the 4 door Aston will turn out.
Shame, I like it!

The Rapide is far better looking than the CS

[PPPPPP]

"Mr Reithofer added that the brand's priorities going forward would be more real-world models and green technologies, such as the 'EfficientDynamics' program and the Project i city car, and the possible revival of the once-iconic Isetta brand".


Isetta & Smart rivals? So how long before the Reliant Robin is resurrected.

[Sivraj]

Like the look of it but why call it an 8 series with a huge engine?
Why not call it the new 5 series stick in some diesel engines and blow away the compitition?

[pgilc1]

Sivraj said:

Like the look of it but why call it an 8 series with a huge engine?
Why not call it the new 5 series stick in some diesel engines and blow away the compitition?

The current E60 and due-next-year F10 do that anyway.

[muffinmenace]

Sivraj said:

Like the look of it but why call it an 8 series with a huge engine?
Why not call it the new 5 series stick in some diesel engines and blow away the compitition?

It's a coupé, they wanted to blow away the CLS and A7

[Sivraj]

muffinmenace said:

Sivraj said:

Like the look of it but why call it an 8 series with a huge engine?
Why not call it the new 5 series stick in some diesel engines and blow away the compitition?

It's a coupé, they wanted to blow away the CLS and A7

Looks like a 4 door on the photo!!

[tomTVR]

Bloody typical, this is the greatest looking car BMW has made in years, was really looking forward to it

[needham]

Get rid of the chav wheels and it would be as good looking as much of the BMW range. Maybe they could produce this , and shelve the X6 which really is ugly.