The BMW GINA Light Visionary Model is a two-seater concept car. Incidentally GINA stands for Geometry and Functions in ‘N’ Adaptations. The car is built on the Z8 Roadster platform with its 5.0-liter V8. It consists of a flexible ’skin’ stretched over a metal wire structure enforced with carbon fiber. This gives the owner the flexibility to change the shape of the car as they please; to elucidate: the rear spoiler can be raised, while the rocker panels can effectively be bodykitted out. There is flexibility in the inside as well, the steering wheel and instrumentation sit within the centre console and slide into position when the driver pushes the start button. Apparently the car has been influenced by the infamous ‘flame-surfaced’ styling of BMW’s current lineup.
Yet the Light Visionary Model is not made of metal but of cloth. The virtually seamless stretch fabric is secured on a meshwork of metal wires that shields the movable substructure beneath.
BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept Model Images
BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept Model Front View
BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept Model Doors Open
BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept Model Wheel View
BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept Model Rear side View
BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept Model Back View
BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept Model Interior View
BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept Model Exterior Design
BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept Model
BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept Model Side View
BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept Model Video : Review
BMW has just released some new information about the long awaited 1-Series M Coupe, including engine information, release dates, and the toys it will carry.
Under the hood will be the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 340 horsepower. That motor will be connected to six-speed manual transmission. There will no automatic option with this vehicle. That motor should be more than enough to haul around the car’s 3,307-pound weight.
The M1 will feature a chassis, braking system, and rear differential similar to the M3. In total, that power and these tweaks have made the M1 faster than the E46 M3 around the Nordschleife.
UPDATE 03/10/2011: BMW has placed an online configurator for the 1-Series M Coupe, the perfect opportunity to play a bit with the options offered for this amazing car. From this configurator, we were also able to get the pricing on all of the options offered. Hit the jump to check them out in our price section.
UPDATE 05/16/2011: The BMW 1-Series M Coupe has entered the UK market, allowing BMW the perfect opportunity to reveal a new promo video for the sports coupe. Enjoy!
Exterior and Interior
2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe Exterior Style
Taking inspiration from the 1988 BMW M3 Sport Evolution, the 1-Series M Coupe is 1.3 inches (33mm) longer than the M3. Also, compared to the 2011 BMW 135i Coupe, the new model is 0.2 inches longer, 2.1 inches wider, 0.5 inches taller, and rides on the same 104.7 inch wheelbase.
Like any other M model, the new 1-Series M Coupe is dominated by a muscular look. It features three large air intakes, with the central one being covered by a honeycomb-structured grille, large wheel arches, with the front one featuring chrome gill element with the M logo and exterior mirrors similar to the ones from the M3. The car’s rear features a discreet spoiler lip on the luggage compartment lid and of course two sets of chrome twin tailpipes, each positioned towards the outer edges. It comes standard with 19-inch M light alloy wheels in Y-spoke design. The new 1-Series M Coupe will be offered in three exterior colors: Alpine White, Black Sapphire Metallic, and Valencia Orange Metallic.
2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe Interior
For the interior BMW is offering high-quality, dark Alcantara with orange contrast stitching covering the door panels, door pulls, instrument cluster binnacle, dash panel, and gearshift and handbrake lever boots. The sports seats are covered in Boston leather with orange contrasting stitching and an M logo embossed in the front of each headrest, while the leather M multifunction steering wheel features the now-ubiquitous M Button for spontaneous activation of the sharpest throttle response and M Dynamic Mode of DSC.
Package and Options
2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe Design
The US spec version of the 1-Series M Coupe will bring with it two different packages to add luxury and technology to the already stunning BMW. The Premium package includes autodimming for the exterior and interior mirrors, as well as the rearview mirror. Other features include power front seats with driver seat memory, lumbar support, ambiance lighting, BMW Assist with bluetooth, and an iPod and USB adapter. Purchase the Premium package and the customer can also opt for the Convenience package. This package adds a navigation system, anti-theft alarm system, keyless entry, and park distance control for the rear.
Other options for the US spec version of the 1-Series M Coupe are heated front seats, smartphone Integration, satellite radio w/1 year subscription, and Harman Kardon surround sound.
The Engine
2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe Engine
Under the hood BMW has placed a new twin-turbocharged, all-aluminum, 3.0-liter inline-6 engine that delivers an impressive 335 HP at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission.
BMW announced a sprint time from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, and yes, top speed is still electronically limited to 155 mph. The standing quarter-mile mark comes up in 13.2 seconds.
A few days after it’s long-awaited unveiling, the 2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe was already seen at the Nurburgring performing its cursory test laps to determine its official ’Ring lap time. The 2011 1-Series Coupe just finished its date around the ’Ring, clocking in a time of 8:12, which is about 10 seconds faster than the E46 M3. More importantly than that, BMW’s latest addition to the M family posted faster times than its other competitors, including the E60 M5, the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, and the Porsche Cayman S.
When BMW unveiled the 1-Series M Coupe, there were some people that suggested a small car like this could never deliver the same performance numbers as the BMW M3. German sports car magazine, Sport Auto, took that as a challenge and took the coupe to Hockenheim where it clocked a lap time of 1:14.1. This final number is slightly better than the 1:14.2 time obtained by the BMW M3, but not as good as Porsche Cayman R’s PDK time of 1:12.4 or the BMW E46 M3 CSL’s 1:13.5.
Prices
2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe Pricing
Sales for the new BMW 1-Series M Coupe will begin later in the spring of 2011. Pricing for the coupe will start at $47,010. As a reminder, the new model will be limited to only 2,700 units.
In the continuing development of BMW'sflagship 7-Series line, BMW has announced xDrive all-wheel drive versions of the 750i and 750Li. When combined with the previously announced V12-powered 760Li, the 7-Series range grows to five variants for model year 2010.
BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system has been enhanced for these new models to ensure that the 750i xDrive and 750Li xDrive set a new benchmark for handling characteristics among all-wheel drive sedans. BMW's Integrated Chassis Management, using the speed of its FlexRay on-board network and the quick-responding xDrive hardware, is able to identify and then limit understeer by shifting torque rearward (up to 80% to the rear axle) while preserving the stability for which xDrive has been so recognized.
As a second step, the Integrated Chassis Management system can then apply a precise combination of throttle and individual rear-corner braking in order to maintain perfectly neutral handling in a corner, regardless of road surface conditions.
For driving enthusiasts, model year 2010 also marks the debut of the M Sport Package for all 7-Series models. The M Sport Package includes an M steering wheel, functional aerodynamic kit, Active Roll Stabilization (RWD only), Shadowline trim, anthracite headliner and 19" wheels. 20" wheels are available at additional cost. Carbon Black Metallic exterior paint is also available with the new M Sport Package.
The current generation BMW Z4 is available in both coupe and convertible body styles. Power to the BMW Z4 M coupe model comes from a 3.0 liter I-6 engine that produces 255 hp and the engine is mated to 6-speed manual transmission. The M coupe version is high performance sports version in the Z4 lineup. With the I-6 engine, the Z4 model can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a time span of just 5.1 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 130 miles per hour. With the optional sport package, the top speed gained by the model is 150 miles per hour.
BMW Z4 M CoupeSafety features
The safety features equipped in the BMW Z4 M coupe version include antilock braking system, traction control, antiskid system, driver and passenger side air bags, four wheel disc brakes, rear view mirror, child safety features and driver knee air bags.
Apart from the advanced safety features, the BMW Z4 M Coupe model is also equipped with the most luxury amenities like adjustable driver seat, navigation system with weather reports and real time traffic updates, air conditioning with automatic climate control, audio system, and XM satellite radio.
2009 BMW Z4 Roadster - Center Console with Double clutch Gearbox
BMW Z4 Roadster Interior
BMW Z4 Roadster Interior
BMW Z4 Roadster Interior
BMW Z4 Roadster Interior Front Seating View
BMW Z4 Roadster Interior Doorcont
BMW Z4 Roadster Interior Front Seating View
BMW Z4 Roadster Interior
BMW Z4 Roadster Interiors
The interior of the BMW Z4 M Roadster.
Step inside the BMW Z4 M Roadster and discover a world dedicated to driving pleasure. From the specially designed M leather seats and M leather steering wheel to the sporty, ergonomic cockpit, everything about the cabin says high performance. The permanently lit speedometer and rev counter are particularly striking and offer a genuine racing feel.
