Fabric Covered BMW

[cosworth151]

BMW has unveiled a six-year-old concept called the GINA Light Visionary Model--which will go straight to the new BMW Museum when it opens in Munich later this month.

The two-seat roadster is a design exercise, meant to give Chris Bangle's team free reign to create a minimalist car with sweeping lines and a sculptural appearance. BMW says the concept has never been seen publicly before, and showed it on Tuesday to offer a peak at its future design ideas.

GINA stands for Geometry and Functions In "N" Adaptions," which BMW says is its creative design thread.

The outer skin of the car is fabric, which covers the metal substructure, almost like a tunic. The cover pulls back for certain functions, including the headlights, which are hidden beneath the fabric when not in use. The rear spoiler also lifts from the skin to create more downforce on the rear axle at higher speeds.

Claw_Grrrl sent me this link about it. One problem with the story. It describes the car as BMW's "latest design philosophy." The car dates back about six years.

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/585/BMW-GINA-Light-Visionary-Model;_ylc=X3oDMTE0OGs4ZDduBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawNibXctZ2luYQ

[Wizzo]

I can't get my head around this whole fabric idea, I've even seen some pictures where you unzip the bonnet to reveal the engine!

The only good thing about is I wouldn't have to wash it, well being made of fabric, it falls into Mrs Wiz domain! I can just imagine her out there ironing it! 

[cosworth151]

Fabric covered car bodies are not a new idea. They vere very popular in the early days. The original MG, the famous "Old Speckled Hen," was fabric covered. It's name came from the speckled fabric that was used.

In those days, that was "aircraft construction."