9:52 AM
Unknown
A car covered with cloth is most probably something you'd associate with the Flintstones, not the cutting edge of 21st century automotive design.
Cloth BMW
But BMW's latest concept car is exactly that - and it can change shape Batmobile-style at the touch of a button.
The Gina - which at first glance looks like any other flashy sports car - is encased in fabric instead of metal panels.
Its seamless skin can be morphed at the flick of a switch to suit its owner's mood, offering an aggressive or classic look.
The headlights open like eyes from behind the stretchable fabric, which shifts at speed to make the car more aerodynamic.
The German car maker's pioneering vehicle is based on the chassis of a BMW Z8. Its skin is made of a silver expansion-resistant textile which stretches across movable metal wires.
The Gina has no bonnet, roof or boot. Instead, a single sheet of cloth is layered over its frame, cocooning the driver in the ultra-modern cabin. Movable parts are controlled by hydraulics operated from a driver's console.
BMW's Christopher Bangle said: 'This revolutionary solution opens up new design and production potential.'
BMW GINA 2010 final
Cloth BMW
But BMW's latest concept car is exactly that - and it can change shape Batmobile-style at the touch of a button.
The Gina - which at first glance looks like any other flashy sports car - is encased in fabric instead of metal panels.
Its seamless skin can be morphed at the flick of a switch to suit its owner's mood, offering an aggressive or classic look.
The German car maker's pioneering vehicle is based on the chassis of a BMW Z8. Its skin is made of a silver expansion-resistant textile which stretches across movable metal wires.
The Gina has no bonnet, roof or boot. Instead, a single sheet of cloth is layered over its frame, cocooning the driver in the ultra-modern cabin. Movable parts are controlled by hydraulics operated from a driver's console.
BMW's Christopher Bangle said: 'This revolutionary solution opens up new design and production potential.'
BMW GINA 2010 final
