New BMW Concept : Wow !

[Ferry_vO]

BMW presented this concept car today to commemorate the 'Mille Miglia' (1,000 miles); a race through Italy in which BMW had a lot of succes with the model 328 before WW2.

It's powered by the 343 hp six cylinder from the Z4, and will never go into production.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, but I think it's simply stunning !
The combination of retro design and the styling elements of current BMW's is breathtaking !

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/2549bb4b34ba57b60c5af0ef28f77467.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/48ddf9bfd3f2ae6e728b44d38c6ae7e4.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/7bf891b051ed1beaea1d7c0539d52e39.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/1adb169a35f6dce9dcf1ec23fb776f96.jpg

:applause:

[Ferry_vO]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/5af07dd0e592befeed072c284f3fb040.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/0dfa1aaf485fa785e6625df46910a7b9.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/95422a29c79a42d1b3d44afb44511d82.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/13c3eed3161c62f52ab67c8403bd0936.jpg

[Ferry_vO]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/ad5728470dee4987fd89bc7281784f2b.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/e2825a812a880deee76919de12e38ef7.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/f852d71bb32f5f4448d1bf301c8555ff.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/f597257068c545121f944d74585a14c1.jpg

Love it !! :d

[CybrSlydr]

Nah, don't like it at all. Ugly IMHO. Would sell it for parts in a heartbeat.

[Gregory Paul]

Wow nice. If they need someone to show it off here in the states i'll do it.

[Ferry_vO]

Good to see some different opinions here.

A good design should start a discussion, not just be liked by everyone. :)

Here's a pic of the original BMW 328 Mille Miglia Coupé :

http://www.bmwworld.com/pics/vintage/2764_832.jpg

:)

[CybrSlydr]

Looks alot like Peter's "penis car" on Family Guy.

Nah - don't like that one either.

[wombat666]

I don't dislike the 'new' design but it's a bit over the top.
More restraint would be nice, somewhere between the original 1940 MM 328 Aero and the present show car.:kilroy:

Cybr ..... I see an SUV in your future!:banghead:

[CybrSlydr]

Wombat, I HATE SUVs. Never will I drive one!

I like BMWs and Aston Martin!

Vanquish - http://www.blaha.net/images/Aston_Martin_Vanquish_Web.jpg

http://members.fortunecity.com/freecarwallpapers/images/aston_martin_vanquish_07.jpg

BMW 650i - http://press-news.up.seesaa.net/image/100795AA-1.jpg

http://www.bmwusa.com/nr/rdonlyres/0cd4cb32-4842-4273-b78e-7e81f01f40f9/0/6coupe_modelpg.jpg

Among other cars. :D None more than 10 years old.

[SdC]

That BMW's just a design study, based on the current roadster.
I was hoping the thread would reveal something revolutionary, like http://www.carver-europe.com/

[grunau_baby]

It looks nice, but very "retro" (which I guess is what the designers want it to be). Moreover designs like this are not so new (example from Pininfarina from the 30s):
http://www.fiatcoupehistory.com/Bilder%20komp/pi24.jpg

http://www.fiatcoupehistory.com/Bilder%20komp/pi25.jpg

Creating streamline-forms like this was quite popular in europe at these times and BMW want´s a nostalgic yet modern glimpse at those days:
(unfortunately IMHO as a designer it also gives the impression modern designers don´t trust their own times and styling-capabilities and they keep creating backwards oriented solutions. However "retro" sells, off course. Remember: "It was all better in the past", wasn´t it?:d

I like it more modern for the future:
http://www.lancia.de/design_handwerk/studien/nea/img/vis_main.jpg
http://www.lancia.de/tradition/lancia_heute/img/vis_main.jpg

Regards
Alex

[Ferry_vO]

How about this one, Cybr ?

It's the Aston DBS, officialy 'just' the new Bond car (Lucky bastard !), but rumoured to be the model to replace the Vanquish.
It is based on the DB9, and it would fill the gap between the regular DB9 and the raceversion.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/dbs_01.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/DBS_02.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/DBS_03.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/DBS_04.jpg



Alex; Lancia likes retro design too, as this concept car based on the classic Fulvia coupé proves !

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/_lancia_fulvia_p.jpg


Personally, I'd like to see this car make it into production: The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione :

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/Overig/_alfa_8c_p.jpg

According to rumours it might still happen ! :d

[grunau_baby]

Lancia likes retro design too, as this concept car based on the classic Fulvia coupé proves !
Cause I know;) , especially for niche-products (like lancia) it is an efficient means to keep up tradition as a marketing value and to be different from competitors and thus recognizable.

On the other hand many lancia-addicts do critizise the present "retro-luxury-style" that goes back to a period newer potential customers won´t remember. In their opinion big successes of the 70s/80s/90s and great rather unique cars (with an obvious sporting tradition) like the Stratos:
http://www.lanciaclubdeutschland.de/aktuell/123-2400_IMG16.jpg

or the delta integrale:
http://www.lanciaclubdeutschland.de/KFZ_LCD/wieland%2015004.jpg

should be the cornerstones of a new design: inovation without looking back. But that´s all a question of taste and personal preference in the end.

Moreover Aston Martin also - though looking modern - formally quotes it´s ancestors.

It´s a strange and exciting balance of tradition and inovation car designers try to keep in order to make their stands. One of the most striking examples of merging retro with unique never before seen inovations (the headlights e.g.) was managed (also by BMW) in form of the RR 101EX:
http://www.classicdriver.de/upload/images/_de/3396/img05.jpg

http://www.classicdriver.de/upload/images/_de/3396/img01pop.jpg
The monolithic look gives the impression that this vehicle is far beyond
being "just a car". It´s a "driving stonehenge":d

Regards
Alex

[Ferry_vO]

You are right about lancia, Alex. I think too that they should fall back more on the cars from the seventies and eighties, especially the sport models like the Fulvia, the ugly but very fast in capable hands Stratos, and of course the Delta Intergrale, the iconic benchmark for all rallye cars.

The current luxury image is too forced, as it comes from the period before WW2. But with Alfa Romeo being the sporty branch of the FIAT family (Which also includes Maserati and Ferrari), another brand with a sporty image is not wanted, because (obviously) they do not want internal competition.

Another manufacturer that has a strong image from it's past and knows how to incorportate that into his current models is Cadillac; the V Sixteen prototype is one of my favourite ever designs :

http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/cadillac_sixteen.asp

Funny thing about the current retro trend :It was started by almost just one man: Former VW and now Ford designer J. Mays. He created the new Beetle at VW, and then the New Thunderbird, Mustang and Ford GT (GT40 flashback), plus he did a lot of retro prototype for Ford. (427, Forty-nine)

Another favourite design for me are the new 'Spykers', and not just because they are Dutch ! They managed to connect a modern sportscar to the early days of aviation, when Spyker used t obuilt aircraft as well.

http://www.spykercars.com/

[CybrSlydr]

I REALLY like that DBS! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!

That 8C is nice too!

The rest? Scrap 'em. ;)

[wombat666]

You are right about lancia, Alex. I think too that they should fall back more on the cars from the seventies and eighties, especially the sport models like the Fulvia, the ugly but very fast in capable hands Stratos, and of course the Delta Intergrale, the iconic benchmark for all rallye cars.

The current luxury image is too forced, as it comes from the period before WW2. But with Alfa Romeo being the sporty branch of the FIAT family (Which also includes Maserati and Ferrari), another brand with a sporty image is not wanted, because (obviously) they do not want internal competition.

Another manufacturer that has a strong image from it's past and knows how to incorportate that into his current models is Cadillac; the V Sixteen prototype is one of my favourite ever designs :

http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/cadillac_sixteen.asp

Funny thing about the current retro trend :It was started by almost just one man: Former VW and now Ford designer J. Mays. He created the new Beetle at VW, and then the New Thunderbird, Mustang and Ford GT (GT40 flashback), plus he did a lot of retro prototype for Ford. (427, Forty-nine)

Another favourite design for me are the new 'Spykers', and not just because they are Dutch ! They managed to connect a modern sportscar to the early days of aviation, when Spyker used t obuilt aircraft as well.

http://www.spykercars.com/
The retro style is usually botched as it's almost impossible to improve on the original.
I preferred to 'roll my own' ..... at least the body panels will fit a genuine GT40 .... and it has a proper 302 breathing through a pair 750CFM Holleys in it, not a truck engine mit kompresser!:kilroy:
Five years and $$$$$ but it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on!
FWIW, 0-100k in just on 4.0 seconds .... :d

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2248/pic0052fo.jpg

[Awesome]

Yeah, it takes your breath away. It takes it all away and leaves you with a cold, hard pit in the bottom of your stomach. One that says: puke, please!

:costumes:

Ah, Aston Martin. A nice car, but not a real contender in the world of supercars. Still, if I had the choice of picking one or not, I'd take it.

I would take these over it anytime, though:

Countach:
http://forums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/228-17891-389305-13384/Lamborghini%20Countach.jpg

Diablo (yes, I like the older models better):
http://www.timpelen.com/images/cars/diablo_vtr_img01.jpg

Or, Corvette, which happens to be a top-ranking supercar. :d
http://www.dumbbell.fr/events/mondial_auto/2004/images/Chevrolet%20-%20Corvette%20C5R%20%28au%20mur%29.jpg

And lastly, my all-time favorite... should be an easy guess :d :
http://www.verdictoncars.com/features/F40_wp0_1024.jpg

Sorry 'bout the two big pics... direct-linked.

Awesome

[CWD]

I had Hot Wheels of the Countach, Diablo, and...whatever Ferrari that is (model escapes me) back in the day. I was heavily into Hot Wheels. :d

[wombat666]

With the exception of the last 'real' Ferrari (the 'F40' CWD) the rest are all big, fat and dumb.
The very first Countach was a lovely clean design.
Sadly they made a right mess of it with all the stick-on plastic 'boy racer' bits.
And a 'Corvette' is a 'Chevrolet' ..... it never was and never will be a 'supercar'........being 'Made in America' is a stigma that will see to that.
Chevrolet (GM in general) can't even spell quality control, let alone initiate it.
:kilroy:
Period.
As a matter of interest, 'GM Australia' retrenched 80+ engineering design staff recently and outsourced the bulk of their work to India.
Knowing that you couldn't give me a 'Holden' for free.:banghead:

[Awesome]

LOL then explain why the Saleen Supercar gets its butt kicked by Corvette? Like it or not, it's a very powerful racer.

But yes, Ferrari should have kept going with the F-40 style of purebred racer. The Ferraris of today handle nice, but don't have the speed it had.

CWD, "back in the day" wasn't very long ago for you. :p: Yeah, I still have hotwheels of those three cars. It escapes me why hotwheels doesn't make "real" cars anymore instead of these wierd ones...

Awesome

[wombat666]

LOL then explain why the Saleen Supercar gets its butt kicked by Corvette? Like it or not, it's a very powerful racer.
Awesome

A Saleen?????
Just another backyard special ......:d
How about this for a matchup, a 1973 Porsche 2.7RSR and a 'Vette around the 'old' Nurburgring ....?
Both 'showroom stock' of course.:kilroy:

[Awesome]

Porsche and 'Vette have been closely matched for a number of years.

I'm betting the Porsche would do better around the tight-handling areas, the Vette could keep up, and in the straight stretches gain some distance on the Porsche.

I have no idea what the Nurburgring is.

EDIT: Nope, just googled the RS, that's the old Carrera. 'Vette would pwn it, that particular car doesn't have the high-speed handling capabilities to keep up with the Corvette.

Awesome

[wombat666]

I have no idea what the Nurburgring is.
Awesome

How about 14.5 miles of Eiffel Mountain (Germany) road race circuit with a couple of hundred corners and few straights where the GrC cars were hitting 180MPH .... only the most famous race track in the World.
Your showroom 'Vette would fall apart before it completed one lap .....:d
Google 'Nurburgring' ...... :kilroy:

[Ferry_vO]

Porsche and 'Vette have been closely matched for a number of years.

I'm betting the Porsche would do better around the tight-handling areas, the Vette could keep up, and in the straight stretches gain some distance on the Porsche.

The only place where the Vette would beat the porsche would probably a dragstrip, if it doesn't smoke it's reartyres first.
Except maybe for the last version of the Corvette (C6 I think), those cars are no match for a 911. The GT3 version has been the topfavourite of just about every expert around the world for the last years.

A recent Discovery program about supercars described the Vette chassis 'as rigid as boiled spaghetti'. :costumes:

I have no idea what the Nurburgring is.

This thread has a link to a good video : (In the first post :d)

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?t=8705&highlight=green+hell

:)

[Wulf190]

I like that BMD! Don't care much for the others shown, but then agian I'm a Porche guy. :d

[CWD]

LOL then explain why the Saleen Supercar gets its butt kicked by Corvette?

Come again? Do you refer to the S-7?

I'm anti-GM, but I respect the Corvette. At least it was marginally original, unlike the blatant ripoff that was my all-time most hated car, the Camaro. Don't like the front end on the C6, somehow looks, well, like a Japanese car to me, I can't explain it. It's just too generic. I guess they figured the flip-up headlights were too dated, but the Corvette had 'em before it was a fad, it was almost retro. Some kind of facelift was needed, but the C6 wasn't it.

Of course, that's all just from an aesthetics standpoint. For American sports cars, I'll take the Viper over the Corvette any day. Going back to style, it just looks mean, still turning heads with what amount to only minor tweaks to the body style more than a decade after its introduction. Under the hood, five FIA GT class championships, a 1-2 in class at Le Mans in '98, and a shocking overall win at Daytona in 2000 speak for themselves in my book. It's on the way down now, only competitive enough for the nears-stock, gentleman driver GT3 class, but it has nothing left to prove. Rumor has it Chrysler has a brand new Viper coming in 2008 and I'm sure looking forward to seeing it. :applause:

[Awesome]

Yeah the S-7.

LOL you for some reason I think you guys don't like Chevy or Corvette much at all. My dad owned one and I saw firsthand that the chassis (non-race, even) was pretty sturdy. :d

Yeah I thought the same thing about the C-7's front end, CWD. :barf:

Awesome

[CWD]

Yeah the S-7.

And on what facts do you base the statement that the S7 gets its butt kicked by the Corvette?

[Awesome]

Becaaause in 2000 or 2001 they did a 24-hour endurance race to see which car was better. There were a lot of cars: Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, BMW, etc.

Anyway, the Saleen got it's butt kicked (the 'Vette and Saleen were the only real contenders in the entire race) the whole time, but very near the end something went wrong with the 'Vette's tires and it had to have a change and it lost... not by very much.

Anyway, it pretty much proved the Corvette was a better racer.

I don't want to hear anything about flawed logic here... :p:

Awesome

[CWD]

Becaaause in 2000 or 2001 they did a 24-hour endurance race to see which car was better. There were a lot of cars: Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, BMW, etc.

Anyway, the Saleen got it's butt kicked (the 'Vette and Saleen were the only real contenders in the entire race) the whole time, but very near the end something went wrong with the 'Vette's tires and it had to have a change and it lost... not by very much.

Anyway, it pretty much proved the Corvette was a better racer.

I don't want to hear anything about flawed logic here... :p:


I don't want to hear the Black Eyed Peas, but all the radio stations keep playing them... :costumes:

BTW, no offense, but I'm guessing from the fact you didn't know what the Nurburgring was and can't name the specific 24-hour race you're not a huge motorsports fan?

And BTW again, "back in the day" was even less long ago for you, whippersnapper! :costumes:

[CybrSlydr]

My dad owned one and I saw firsthand that the chassis (non-race, even) was pretty sturdy. :d
Awesome

There's a difference between being sturdy and rigidity in a racing body, Awesome. :)

[stiz]

gah give me a mini any day, an original, not one of those cack new ones :jump:

[wombat666]

gah give me a mini any day, an original, not one of those cack new ones :jump:

Do you have the legs to wear one .......:d

[stiz]

not sure, i'll have to shave them again, but yea, slap a bit of self tan on and bobs ur uncle!!!!






:costumes: :costumes: :costumes:

[Lionheart]

On the first set of pics of the BMW, I thought it was 'un-finished'. The windows looked like they would leak, the bear metal bits that had rough edges in the center console looked a bit harsh, and the switches looked very archaic.

The designer that did this is at Designology at the BMW California fascility. His noted design trend is what he calls 'Chaos'. Its Assymetrical, as you can see, the left will not perfectly match the right, the rear side lifting gate is good evidence of this assymetricalism.

I think if they polished the design a bit, especially on the cockpit, it would be a superb design. I just think it looks a tad rough.

I am an ex car designer. In design, like music, you find a 'commonality' that everything attaches too or flows with. With that, having 'beautiful flowing curves', and then flat, round, headlights jutting out of the front cowling just looks very 'un-flowing' to me. Its a beautiful bit of body work, but the accessories are unfinished.

My humble opinion.

Ah.. the Countach. What a wild lady that thing is! Amore!

Nice GT40, Wombat!

[wombat666]

Thanks Bill.:d
I filled her up on Saturday ..... A$280.00 in round figures!
Gad!!:kilroy: