German Car Zone

Given the state of the Global economy, you are likely correct Matt -- sad, I love this car.

This car will be built IMO. The concept was near production ready as is and since it is based on the 7-Series platform there isn't much else to do to get it on the market. Rich people aren't going anywhere either.

M

No the CS Concept car is a definite for production. That is why it has been across the world to show that BMW are serious about this car and to define it's reaction saying that it is not a Mercedes-Benz CLS Rival.
And that it is intent on being the flagship BMW.
And with prospective buyers BMW has liasoned with not one has asked for a traditional coupe over the CS. The only ones asking for a Coupe sans 8er are traditionalists who think there should be a rival to the CL-Klasse.

Since most of the engineering work is based on the 7er Platform. fully disguised 7er models (the first disguised 7er prototypes you saw on the road) are currently on the streets as the 7er will share it's platform with the CS Concept and the Rolls-Royce RR04.

Although you might be wondering why is there still fully disguised 7ers driving about? This should answer your question that they are engineering prototypes and nothing to do with the 7er.
Fully camouflaged prototypes of the production design will hit the streets in the New Year.

Completely disagree. Wow, who would have thought I'd agree with Merc?
Seriously guys. A lot of time, money and resources have been spent already. The car has been given the green light. It's a go and will not stop period.
New Rolls Royce models are coming too, a lot more expensive than the CS. And a new V12 Twin Turbo will arrive soon too, no matter supposed bad economy and high oil prices. BMW will have more to offer for the rich soon, and compete better with Mercedes in this segment with a car that's different than what they have (CL, SL, S AMG)

Edit; well there we go, Scott one minute before my reply.

Well there is just no way they'd pull the plug on this car now. Too much money has been spent and saved (by using the 7 as a base) already. This will be a high margin car since it is based on a common platform, but sells for a much higher price. No way BMW is going to walk away from that now.

M

BTW, Scott, are you saying the Concept CS is being tested on the streets already, diguised as 7er prototype? That's sweet, and so soon...I was expecting that like half a year later at least!

Scott and Merc said it perfectly. Regarding the X6, the demands are through the roof. Worldwide that is, the US is kind of in a sorry shape.

Through Sept 08 Worldwide X6 sales are 26,251(BMW numbers not mine).True production really did not heat up until Feb-Mar of 08.If you annualize sales for 2008 based on sales through Sept 08,BMW will sell 35,000+/- X6's in 2008, the first year of production.When BMW announced the X6 they projected first year X6 sales of between 30,000 and 40,000 units per/yr.Right on the money.Not bad w/ $4.00 gas and a Worldwide Financial Meltdown.Local contacts expect X6 sales to settle in at the 25,000-30,000 unit level.Not bad for a product that was a niche design from day one.Thanks! PalBay

So we won´t see CS mules till January/February 2009?.

Well US sales are anemic: 3362 units sold YTD ie 12.8% of the total sales(26,251 as per BMW).
Middle East sales for the first halve of the year= 596 units
So I guess Europe and Asia must have accounted for the rest.