BMW GINA Light Visionary concept revealed
10 Jun, 2008
20 Comments 
As promised earlier, BMW has unveiled its revolutionary GINA Light Visionary Model concept, which features a shell made entirely of cloth.
At first this may seem like a very strange and irrelevant innovation, however both the aestheic and functional applications are quite staggering.
The oddly named GINA stands for Geometry and Functions In “N” Adaptions, not quite the most eloquent abbreviation.
The two-seater roadster has an almost entirely seamless outer skin created by overlaying a flexible textile cover that stretches across a moveable substructure.
Crasworthiness is also handled by this underlying substructure, meaning the design possibilites for the outer shape are endless.
Individual features such as the headlights and kidney grille are revealed only when they are needed and are otherwised hidden under the special fabric cover. As soon as the driver turns on the lights or additional cooling is needed, the contour of the front end changes.
Similarly, the rear spoiler lifts at a certain speed for added down force whilst maintaining the shape of the rear end and concealing the mechanical components.
Due to the translucent properties of the outer skin, brake lamps and turn signals are revealed only when they are illuminated.
While this dry-cleanable concept is likely never to see production, familiarities with the M1 Homage concept are undeniable and could still hint toward BMW ressurecting its pinnacle performance car.
Click through to the next page for the photo gallery and press release.
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June 10th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
AS LONG AS IT DOESN’T NEED IRONING!
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June 10th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Absolutely, totally, utterly, ridiculously stupid idea. I can just imagine how much it would cost to replace the ’skin’ on this thing every time some little wnkr came along with a knife or something sharp. So impractical it defies belief, even for a show car.
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June 10th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Very cool. Not great looking, but the concept that a car doesn’t have to have a metal skin is very cool. Opens up a world of possibilities.
TuffGuy - How many rag tops get knifed these days? Not many I reckon. Same thing goes for this.
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June 10th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I would like to see how it look driving at even 100km/h, it would be flapping about like an 80 year old. No offense old people.
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June 10th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
god… its a concept people..
i didnt like it at first.. but it grew on me.. and its about time we started thinking a bit outside the box
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June 10th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Im guessing this is a big clue as to the look of the next Z4, but christ i thought they were toning down the whole bangle-butt, thats gotta be the most in-your-face one yet.
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June 10th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
That is extremely cool. One of the few decent ideas that have come out of Bangle since his time with BMW.
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June 10th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Wow it almost resembles the old batmobile, very cool indeed
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June 10th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
I see their point but how practical? What next a latex version for the German S&M fans. Mmmmmm Kinky
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June 10th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
This is the most sensational and unbelievable car I’ve ever seen!
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June 11th, 2008 at 12:08 am
This is one of the most awesome cars I have ever seen.
I cannot see how this would ever work in the real world, but I love the concept anyway.
BMW is one of the most brilliant car companies in the world.
Hats off to the Germans, they sure do lead the way in automotive engineering innovations.
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June 11th, 2008 at 12:33 am
wow! watcht he video! the pictures don’t do it justice. Honestly, sometimes car designs are more about creating ideas and works of art, more than something functional. This is BMW doing a conceptual design aimed at displaying their creative abilities and conceptual indenuity, not about creating the next “camry”
watch the video, and see how the front lights open up like eyes, and how the engine pops out of the bonet like rib cages on a human, it really is a work of art! unbelievable! probably one of the top 10 car concepts from the last 100 years easily. Whether it gets built or not does not detract or add to it’s ingenienuity. As a concept alone it pushes the boundries, and it is one of the few designs that can be looked at as a true peice of engineering art.
good work BMW
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June 11th, 2008 at 12:46 am
After seeing how the engine bay opens i can see why its perverted creators called it ‘gina’ - dropping the first two letters ‘va’ from the name… Very clever bmw…
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June 11th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Ahem….
I think I’ll save the Lycra cladding for my girlfriend, whose curves are far more appealing than this thing
This is how I’d imagine my wife to look in Lycra 
Not sure how good the ANCAP rating with cloth panels would be - methinks not too good…..
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June 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
The structure provides the crash safety, Reckless, not the panels. At least you wouldn’t need the jaws of life for a serious bingle. My dear ma’s dress making scissors could be used to free occupants!
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June 11th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
wow as some one that is keen to get into the automotive design industry i was clapping my hands in exitment when i saw this. ( i really was )
Not a new idea, but just great to see a car company saying we know its not practical but what if just what if.
these are great times really great times.
good work BMW.
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June 12th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
All I can say is “what do you normally put inside a big condom??? That’s right a big DICK and that is what one would look like driving around in that thing.
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June 12th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Absolute genius, the best concept car i’ve seen. It really does open up the possibilities. Yes it may or may not be practical, but what concept car is practical?
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June 13th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I’m thinking you guys need to proof read, and double check your articles before submission.
Also, what’s the go with the Press Release… “Adaptions?” Is that even a word? I think it’s supposed to be “Adaptations”. Did you double check this before reporting it?
“Crasworthiness” … geeze guys
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June 21st, 2008 at 3:45 am
I think this concept is one of the best ideas.
I don’t see any problems in it.
For the people that think that is impossible, see first the wicked Z1.
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