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BMW says this cloth-bodied roadster points the way to the future car.
BY ERIK JOHNSON
Have you ever wondered what might result from a three-night hook-up between a zeppelin, an original BMW 507, and a BMW Z4 roadster? Neither have we, but now that we've seen the BMW GINA concept (pronouncedjee-nah), we've got a pretty good idea, and it's even sort of beautiful.
GINA is an acronym for "Geometry and Functions in 'N' Adaptations," where the N stands for infinite—as if the acronym wasn't enough of a stretch already. It's a fancy way to summarize a way of thinking about how cars will be shaped, manufactured, and used by their owners in the future. The Light Visionary Model (LVM) is a physical manifestation of this idea, and features some innovative—and out there—approaches to making the philosophy a reality.
BMW says that this concept isn't just about the styling of the car of the future, but also about the "creative freedom" offered to designers and engineers alike. To that end, this concept wears a fabric "skin" comprised of a wire-mesh inner stabilizing layer and a water- and temperature-resistant outer layer.Instead of the usual myriad body panels, the LVM has just four outer elements: one that covers the entire front end and runs to the rear edge of the doors, two rear-quarter coverings, and one across the rear deck. BMW's seat designers helped with the precise measurement, cutting, and attachment of the material, which is stretched over a mechanized electric and electro-hydraulic metal and carbon frame.
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