German Car Zone

I think that your reaction is a common one with Bangle designs. When I first saw the new 5 series, I thought "what an ugly car". Two or three days later I loved it (so much so I got one). I've had similar reactions to other Bangle designs.

josh, my friend, welcome to the club!

Production take on BMW CS Concept likely.

Click image for a high-res gallery of the BMW CS Concept
BMW's surprising CS concept car is likely to beget a new flagship sedan for the Munich-based automaker. This news comes from the mouth of BMW North America honcho Tom Purvie, who told Automotive News, "We have a reasonable number of examples where we have built a concept car and relatively small examples where we have not built a concept car."

Additionally, Purves noted that his US dealer network is already very excited about the concept. If the post-Shanghai market research brings positive news, it's pretty likely that a production 4-seater based on the CS would get the green light. The new car would be positioned above the 7-series in the automaker's lineup.
Production take on BMW CS Concept likely - Autoblog

As you know - read my & Scott's info on BMW future models - BMW is desperately looking for the "missing link" - new models to bridge the gap between BMW 7er & upcoming baby RR (Seraph).

"New 8er" has been in BMW minds for a long time (already when E65 7er was in development) - yet BMW had other priorities: to expand production & sales with high-volume models like 1er & X3. They also throw in the 6er (on E60 5er platform) to enter into classic GT coupe segment again. And BMW also had some other alternatives in mind: like purchasing some other high-end sporty brand.

"New 8er" plans were pushed into the future - into F01 7er period (since it is considered as a platform donor). BMW also tried to acquire Aston Martin from Ford in late 2006 - instead of launching new BMW flagship (sporty model above 7er). Yet Ford's conditions were unacceptable for BMW (BMW wanted 100%, Ford insisted to retain minor stake in AM).

So, now when AM is sold to investment consortium BMW have no other choice than to finally introduce new BMW flagship - the missing link.

Mind that ALL concepts shown by BMW have an agenda!!! Do not be naive - BMW is just to serious company to use auto shows for initial response-meter. All the proposed Concepts (and later production versions) are already supported by numerous marketing, trend & consumer behavior researches - so the CS Concept is here while customers already liked & supported the idea.

The real task of the Concept is to tease, and in most cases to prepare general public too the new design language (either new shapes or surface styling). Showing concept cars = marketing tool, = first promotion - and definitely way beyond "initial reaction test".

Remember:
Z07 Concept (=> Z8),
Z9 Gran Turismo (=> 6er),
CS1 (=> 1er cabrio),
xCoupe (new SAC family: X6, X4, etc),
xActivity (=> X3),

And their pre-production Concepts:
M3 CSL
Z4 Coupe
M5
M3 E92
upcoming M6 CSL

Only X5 LeMans Concept (=> X5 M) didn't go into production!


"New 8er" is definitely coming: as proposed 4dr large GT - to compete in a new segment of large 4dr GTs - together with Porsche Panamera, AM Rapide , new Maserati etc.

"New 8er" will be a perfect missing link - and a true BMW's 4dr coupe - while BMW have currently no intentions to enter CLS-segment with a separate model (new F10 5er will be coupeish enough, while F13 6er is staying a 2dr GT - yet being much more sportier, and so opening space for more luxurious & comfortable "new 8er").

CS Concept is already based on "marketing & technical requirements" - as any other model ready for production. The question remains how much the production car will differ from the Concept: IMO not much. Like Z9 GT was a base for upcoming 6er, CS Concept will be a base for upcoming "new 8er" - having even more chances to carry most of the design cues into production since it is technically ready (aerodynamics, ergonomics, safety standards etc) - while 1999 Z9 GT wasn't!

Also: CS Concept is based on F01 design ... taking some new design cues from F01 to the CS. I wonder whether Karim Habib (he penned the CS exterior) has penned F01 exterior as well. I bet he did it.

So ... When can we expect "new 8er"? I guess sometimes in 2010 or 2011.



New BMW king is definitely coming.

Bmw CS concept photo update

Mr. Sikorski, http://www.germancarzone.com/bmw-lou...oncept-cs.html (Autobild: BMW 3200 CS – 3.0 CS – 635 CSi – Concept CS)

http://www.bmwusa.com/NR/rdonlyres/B...Concept_CS.pdf

Press release

BMW CS Concept: Press release, Hi-res pics and Videos - X5world

There are in this link some photos that i havent seen in here.

YouTube - BMW Concept CS

YouTube - 2007 BMW Concept CS promotional video

Videos

Cool chop:

BMW CEO: Production likely for CS concept

BMW will probably build a production car based closely on the CS Concept, North American CEO Tom Purves told Automotive News last week. The statement contradicts a recent report by Germany's Auto Bild indicating the car would probably not see production.

"Our dealers, having seen the photos, are very excited," Purves said. "They love it. […] If media and dealers like it, there's a good chance the customers will."

The CS is "not a stretch or modified anything," he said, suggesting the car is both realistic and should appeal to mainstream upper luxury buyers. Purves says there have been very few cases of BMW not following a concept car with a production model.

If produced, the CS would likely be badged as an 8-Series, according to various reports.

Source = LeftLaneNews

Go pick up the July '07 issue of CAR for an exclusive photo shoot of the Concept CS as well as all the inside scoop on BMw's new design direction.