German Car Zone

I was at a BMW gathering this afternoon and although keeping in touch via Blackberry , there was some interesting discussions.

Since I was in the company of people who I had fallen out with over the (necessary) cancellation of the BMW CS Concept. And although the general topic was about BMW we also discussed the industry , economic climate as many industry and financial people were also in attendance.
Of course car guys talk cars , and marketing guys talk visuals and ideas of course the main new car topic on everybodys mind was the Jaguar XJ and the overall reaction and what threat will it purtain to the luxury segment?

It seems that not only BMW are surprised with it's different approach to luxury and it's unconventional looks to the 7er , S-Klasse etc that BMW reckon the car will enjoy sales from people who do not want a conventional luxury car. Others have an opinion that the overall look of the XJ was possibly inspired by the BMW CS Concept Car.

In which our conversation turned to the economic climate and with news that new car sales could begin to rise in the next few months and things could get back on the right track over the next two years, so when discussed over what we have new for the upcoming few years.
As known BMW has invested heavily into Project-i and the next 1er family to expand it's compact range and provide more growth for the BMW Group. But what's ahead? Asked how would I make the CS or indeed as he put it 7er Gran Turismo as a marketing concept I suggested backdrops of either modern industrial cities like Dubai or Shanghai or even the desert or some piece of ultra modern architecture.

What I have learned is that BMW invested heavily in the GT from the very beginning and that the suspension and extended chassis which is shared via the 7er to Rolls-Royce had made it to production stage so in essence the hard engineering work has already been done and paid for and much of the preliminary handling work was commenced by M Division, The experimental V10 was originally considered for this car and now it is being fettled for possible use in the BMW M5/M6 along with a V12 that will be the same as the 760Li.
Now there is plans to offer a four door Coupe of the 6er which would be the modern day equivalent of the Concept CS, but with the advent of the XJ there is concern that jaguar may have one-upped BMW and indeed the competition with the sleek new approach to the luxury segment with the new XJ.
That BMW are still talking about the CS suggests that their love for this car has not wandered and when they talk about suggesting four different specifications for the production car - V12 Twin-Turbo , Tri-Turbo Super Diesel , Full Hybrid and M. the Cabin and cockpit will retain the design ideas as the Concept , seperate cabins for driver and the co-pilot as suggested with space for two in the rear.
Having not wish to go down the ultra car route for a flagship such as the R8 or SLS the individual approach defined by the CS would fit well within BMW's Sporting luxury intentions. It would be the ultimate flagship , Equally beautiful , powerful and luxurious. It is in essence a car that displays the attributes of the BMW Brand.

Having spoke to somebody who drove a prototype they said for an early development car it was very impressive , it was a work in progress but when the finished article came along it would be a "Work of Art".
Strangely if BMW cancel a project in mid development then the crush it but I am told that the first 6 prototypes remain underneath 7er bodies , 3 with the CS front and 3 F01's with enlarged wheel arches remain at M division which engineers apparently drive them at night only.

So it is interesting to hear that much of the initial work has already been done to the production CS even when the car was being designed as a Concept engineers had already begun working on the car as the actual CS Concept features the current BMW V10 from the M5 but boosted further and can move on it's own wheels, The car is totally driveable and here is another interesting fact , the media keep on requesting a drive or interview regarding the concept car in which our Mobile Tradition is always welcoming to journalists who would like to write a piece regarding a piece of history , concept car or a car from BMW's many years of motorsport.
The reason why is that they do not want anyone to get an inside view of the story behind the CS incase the competition discover it's secrets of which the car has many.

Since the CS is back on the agenda (well talking about it in light of the XJ) What happens to the 6er Gran Turismo? Totally speculating but the CS is for the Luxury Segment above the 7er , The 6er can maintain a position amongst the CLS , Panamera and A7. Which again makes the CS position more attainable a flagship for BMW as always intended.

If the economic climate does get better then like Lazarus - Concept CS will emerge as the front runner to rise from the ashes but a question I had to ask - Is will the car change? Will it look old or dated? Truth is in real life the car has a presence which defies it's age many saw it in 2007 I seen the first sketches in late 2005 and even today it still is fresh and modern but I would guess that some design changes would be made although the outline would remain the same.

Such a car like the CS Concept would really do well against the XJ in styling and marketing terms but with the question of how would I market it suggests that there is something bubbling underneath regarding this car.

Again it was just a conversation , but such a conversation that proves no matter who much you love somebody or something you just cannnot let go.

BMW Concept CS Driving Video.
YouTube - BMW CS

Very entertaining .. and sad.

Always admired your style of writing scott! great news too.

Don't get too excited. Please remember this is the old Scott talking (I think, and surely that's the same as having two handles which is forbidden?)

I'll believe it when I see it.

Fantastic response DFresh23!

Well, technically Australia has entered recession, through no help of our pathetic government, so how about a CS concept production for Australia alone?

First of all, Scott, you never freakin' messaged me back. That's messed up dude.

Second point is that is one hell of a question you asked there and straight off the bat I see a problem. The problem I see is that the CS would be flagship and way higher in price to the XJ. So if you were to try to market the CS against the XJ, wouldn't you be making the XJ just look better? You would be saying "Hey, don't buy that XJ which costs (est) 30K less than the CS, because it is "NOT AS GOOD" as this; which in turn would make people think "So, they mean it's better than the 7er," etc, etc. I'm sure you have thought of this, but I just wanted to get it out there.

Message me...

And I am also wondering about sales-numbers. I mean if this thing is offered with the V12 and a new V10 and is above the 7er, it will cost way more than 100.000€ as a base-price. I guess it will be hard to sell many of these cars, no matter how good it is or not. Maybe many people dream about such cars, but how many can actually afford them?