BMW Introduces GINA Concept Car, Covered In Fabric

smithtuna33 writes "Ever wondered what the metal skin on your car is actually good for? Engineers at BMW have decided that fabric might work just as well. The doors literally peel away from the side of the car, the engine bay opens up down the middle, and pretty much everything (such as headlamps) is hidden until the fabric reveals it. It is a stunning concept that has already been influencing BMW's designs. The video is well worth watching."

Comments

Re:Finally..

[ozmanjusri]

JThough I can well imagine a jealous walker-by accidentally slashing it with his pocket knife.

There are already plenty of fabrics which are resistant to casual slashes, and some in the pipeline which are even more durable.

Vandals can already do a significant amount of damage to a painted metal car body with a knife or even a coin. If the repair costs of the fabric are competitive with metal, it might even reduce costs over the life of the vehicle.

Re:Finally..

[ozmanjusri]

And I don't think I've ever encountered ANY fabric that can't be cut with a sharp enough knife

There are fabrics that can withstand a running chainsaw, and they are in common use.

Likewise, stab or cut-resistant Vectran fabric is now relatively common. I've worn turn-out gear which is designed to resist that sort of damage, and while it's expensive, it isn't prohibitively so.

It works on airplanes

[tramm]

Airplanes used fabric skins for years. They travel much faster than automobiles, so the strength isn't an issue. Even during WWII, most aluminum bodied aircraft used fabric covered control surfaces to allow easy repair of combat damage -- it is much easier to sew a new patch over a rip than it is to rivet aluminum patches.