The BMW CS Concept first came about in 2007 where it made several appearances in many auto shows. The fastback sedan was slightly larger than the 7-Series and previewed many future features for BMW, including door handles that only come out when sensors detect motion.
The CS made a second appearance in 2008, and was said to preview BMW’s Gran Turismo. The concept was then shelved due to financial reasons, but seen again when the 5-series Gran Turismo sportback debuted in 2009.
After BMW unveiled the Gran Coupe Concept at the Beijing Auto Show, the rumors about a production versionimmediately began. Today those rumors were confirmed: the BMW Gran Coupe concept will go into production in the second quarter of 2012 as a 6-Series model. The production version will compete with models like the Maserati Quattroporte, the Audi A7 and the Porsche Panamera.
The Gran Coupe will be built on the same platform as the current 5-series, 7-series, and 5-Series GT which should make for an easy production. The Gran Coupe will also be powered by the same six- and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel engines as those models.
The Concept Gran Coupe features a long wheelbase, a vaulted bonnet with forward-pointing lines, a set-back greenhouse, a flat silhouette and a coupe-style roof line. The front section is defined by the BMW kidney grille formally separated from other BMW icons such as the headlights and air inlets.
The BMW Gran Coupe should be a quick and easy production for BMW considering all of its borrowed parts from previous models. We should expect a production model fairly soon. Maybe at this year’s Paris Auto Show?
BMW unveiled the Concept Gran Coupe today at the Beijing Auto Show, China. It is an elegant 4-door vehicle that previews the company’s future Mercedes-Benz CLS competitor. The concept was intended to highlight BMW’s unique design and philosophy by creating a combination Gran Turismo and sports car.
The Concept Gran Coupe features a long wheelbase, a vaulted bonnet with forward-pointing lines, a set-back greenhouse, a flat silhouette and a coupe-style roof line. The front section is defined by the BMW kidney grille formally separated from other BMW icons such as the headlights and air inlets. The entire rear section appears slimmer and lighter at the center, though still exuding power and dynamic performance since the volume is reinforced towards the sides.
The company revealed not even an inkling on the concept’s specifications. No engine stats. No interior options. We must say, its long build and low-lying structure would be an attainable production model. That is, if BMW ever decided to actually produce it and not just dangle it in front of our faces as a tasty possibility.
Press release after the jump.
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Is this the BMW CS out testing? Couldn’t be. Last month BMW canceled that program, right?
Once BMW cancels a program, it will stay dead, right?
Hmmmmm. Chris Bangle must have been going on a schnitzel run, and the old test car just was gathering dust...that must be it!
BMW announced there will be no production version of the CS Concept. The decision was made after BMW’s profits plunged on low third quarter results. The production version of the CS Concept was supposed to compete with other coupe-like sedans such as the Mercedes CLS and Porsche Panamera.
The CS was not going to meet production/profitability requirements that BMW is now setting for its cars during the tougher times. This would purely be an image car for BMW, and CEO Norbert Reithofer doesn’t think the company needs to put its money there right now. "At the moment we do not need that kind of brand shaper," he said.
For the third year running, Car Design News has run an online vote for the best car designs to have debuted in 2007. With over a thousand responses and an international readership that includes more car designers than any other media, this is the most qualified award within the car design world – truly ‘by designers for designers’. Awards were presented to the design team of each winning design at the Geneva Motor Show on Wednesday 5th March.
The award for the best concept show car announced in 2007 went to the BMW Concept CS, with over 51% of readers awarding the BMW a top three ranking.The award was presented to Adrian van Hooydonk, Director Design, BMW Cars, for the BMW Concept CS concept that debuted last year at the Shanghai Motor Show. “This award means a lot to us and the team” said van Hooydonk, “There was a lot of sweat that went into this design so we were pleased with the very positive reaction to the car,especially that from Car Design News”.
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