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BMW Introduces GINA Concept Car, Covered In Fabric

Posted by kdawson on from the bend-me-shape-me dept.

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."

4 of 347 comments (clear)

  1. Very cool by tsa · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The video is really cool, but was it a real car or a computer model? And I wonder how the fabric behaves at high speeds. And how do you wash the car? I have loads of other questions but I think the concept is fantastic. Cars that can change shape! Mmmmm... :)

    --

    -- Cheers!

  2. hope they thought this through by immakiku · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So the chassis is still rigid right? Imagine unintentional impacts with external objects. The skin was meant to be protection for the car and driver. Flying rocks, small animals while the car is parked, pranksters, and thieves of engine parts make this not work so well. As well psychologically the driver will feel less protected in this new concept of a fabric skin. Imagine if your house was made out of cardboard... On the other hand I always like making cars lighter. I can see this becoming the norm if all the kinks are worked out.

  3. Interesting concept... by HockeyPuck · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Which is exactly what that is, a concept, BMW comes up with an idea and floats it with the public to see what they think. Saturn did this with plastic bodies, "you'll never get a dinged door from a loose shopping cart.." While the metal skin of a car doesn't provide much protection, I bet it does add quite a bit to the weight of a car, and quite a bit of manufacturing (stamping, painting etc..) than a textile based covering.

    At least they're thinking different.

  4. Re:Finally.. by Chrisje · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Didn't anyone RTFA?

    I see a lot of people talking about the sturdiness of said fabric, but noone mentions that it's some space-age stuff they're slapping on there, on a metal frame, laced with carbon for extra strengthening.

    Come on guys! Zee Germans are building the thing! I'm relatively sure they'll deliver a solid product. They *ALWAYS* do.