| New concept car | BMW GINA |

Chris Bangle, head of BMW Design, explains that the GINA Light Visionary Model is about more than just fabric bodywork (see this video). GINA stands for "Geometry and Functions In "N" (infinite) Adaptions" and became a design principle encouraging an open-minded approach to familiar problems. Expect to hear how future BMWs are designed following the same philosophy.

One of the most striking features of the concept car is that there are fewer shut lines than normal. There is no clear distinction between the doors, bonnet and front wings, for example. Instead of steel or plastic panels the GINA Light Visionary Model is clothed in a flexible fabric body that is stretched over a metal and carbon frame.

The structure determines the contours of the body and there is a clear family resemblance to current BMWs. Using cloth rather than metal means there is no requirement for the lines to be fixed. By making parts of the underlying frame moveable the contours of the body can be altered to serve the needs of aerodynamics or engine cooling.

At the front, BMW has reinterpreted the pop-up headlamp. When not in use the fabric covers the slim lamp units. Turn on the lights and the covers move seamlessly to reveal the lights. The effect is similar to an opening eyelid. At the rear the lamps are concealed and shine through the translucent material of the body.

The interior is designed along the same lines as the exterior. When the car is not in use the steering wheel is raised out of the way, the instruments - stacked vertically in the centre console - lie flat and the headrests are hidden in the seats. When the driver gets in the seats and wheel assume pre-set positions based on information stored in a transducer that replaces the traditional ignition key. When in use the instruments point towards the driver and the head rest rises out of the back of the seat.

Exciting though the prospect is, the adaptive fabric body will not make production any time soon. What will probably be carried over though are the proportions, the creases and the interesting concave panels that give the shape tension. Looking at the GINA concept suggests that the next Z4 will look more assertive than the current model.

The GINA concept vehicle will be on display at BMW's newly renovated heritage centre in Munich when it reopens on July 19th.

John Lambert - 11 Jun 2008