BMW GINA Light Visionary Model is the trendsetting solutions presented by BMW Group. Chris Bangle gives us a first impression of the ideas behind the process of sculpturing an experimental study. Touted as the “game changer” for the “development of tomorrow’s mobility,” the new concept centers around the GINA principle, for Geometry and Functions In “N” Adaptions. What this means is the ability for BMW to think outside the box and innovate maximum ideas with mininum amount of the usual constraints associated with car design.

The first translation of the GINA philosophy into physical being is demonstrated in the Light Visionary Model concept. The only specs that may be familiar are the car’s realistic 8-cylinder powertrain package residing in a roadster built from an aluminum space-frame chassis with two double tailpies and 20-in. alloy wheels at the corners. Other than that, it is the Visionary’s exterior body that will catch all of us by surprise. It is skinned by four large pieces of flexible material that can stretch and contract based on a number of substructures that can move about on the chassis with electro and electrohydraulic controls.

Chris Bangle, Head of BMW Group Design, says, “Personal customer requirements will broaden the context of our products and change the core values that define our industry along the way.” That’s why BMW is focused on breaking new ground and finding innovative design solutions. And by the looks of the GINA Light Visionary Model, BMW is in the forefront of ingenious automotive design.

This all looks really fasinating, I like the idea and it’s visually pleasing. On the other hand I wonder if this is practical and would be helpful say, when someone wraps their car around a tree… I’m no engineer, so I suppose I can’t talk. But really all I can think is this makes keying your ex’s car so much easier (side note, I know someone who exacted such revenge with a katana, it was rather impressive from what I hear). Imagine what possibilities we can get from this study concept. Light weight shape, more economy on fuel or cells, modifications, and general feel. Very inspiring. The head light touch was impressive. The skin model reminds that bio-mechanic cars from cartoons, where they shape whatever they wanted. I’d like to touch it personally and feel this fabric, and watch some road test speed performances, to see how the flexibility reacts when winds are pushin on.

Categories: Automobiles, Featured
Tags: adaptions, alloy wheels, automotive design, bmw group, breaking new ground, car design, chris bangle, customer requirements, electrohydraulic controls, experimental study, flexible material, group design, innovative design solutions, mininum, model bmw, model concept, personal customer, space frame chassis, substructures, what this means