Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons, Euro, BMW
BMW Gran Turismo development gets serious
click above image for more high-res pics of the BMW CS Concept
We already knew that a production version of the CS Concept BMW debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show was in the automaker's product plans. Dubbed 'Gran Turismo', the four-door technological tour de force took a serious step toward reality today when BMW announced that Gerhard Richter, a manager at BMW M GmbH, is taking over control of the car's development. While he's adding that little bit of M flair to the Gran Turismo, Albert Biermann will be taking his place developing M models for the rest of us to enjoy.
While BMW didn't release any real details about the production version of the Gran Turismo, it did say that the car "will round the BMW product range upward as important technology carriers." That's the broken English of our translation, but you get the point. Like we said before, it'll be a technological tour de force.
[Source: BMW via Zercustoms]
Gallery: BMW Concept CS
PRESS RELEASE (translated from German):
Munich. Gerhard judge (55), member of the management of the BMWS M GmbH, will take over the direction of the project for the new BMW Gran Turismo starting from January 2008. This vehicle became the public for the first time as Concept study on the automobile fair in Shanghai in the spring 2007 presents. It will round the BMWS off product range upward as importanttechnology carriers. Albert Biermann (50) answered for in the future the development of the m and individual vehicles.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3seriesisking 7:09PM (12/19/2007)
Good to hear they are turning this one over to M division. Can't wait to learn more.
Reply
DW 7:17PM (12/19/2007)
This is the car that was BMW's answer to the CLS right? I think that it should maybe just be the next 7-series because it's got the long stylish body, much like the Rapide. The design overall I love from the side, but something needs to be done about the nose and the tail. The nose isn't TOO bad, but the back is pretty hideous. It looks like a squished up version of the 5-series. I know its still a concept, but thats my opinion on it so far.
If they threw that new motor from the X6 into that car, at least as a base engine (and scrapped the X6) I think it could be a decent car.
Reply
iSpec 7:18PM (12/19/2007)
Impressive!
Reply
lwnexgen 7:39PM (12/19/2007)
That is the nicest looking 4-door car that I've seen in a long time.
Reply
500 8:10PM (12/19/2007)
Definitely at least the nicest-looking 4-door BMW in a long time.
Tissoter 7:39PM (12/19/2007)
I am liking it very much!
Reply
Cervus 8:06PM (12/19/2007)
It's a very nice-looking car, but gives the impression of a 7-series that's been stepped on.
Reply
Kevin 8:28PM (12/19/2007)
Another very ugly BMW. It looks like a Japanese version of a Dodge Charger. It has no continuity, no purpose of line. It just has decoration.
Ugggghhh.
Reply
Gregg 8:41PM (12/19/2007)
It is a beautiful car. Much prettier than previous BMWs. Also good that some people really hate it. That means like all BMWs, it continues being polarizing. Therefore attention grabbing and not boring. It certainly trumps the teaser photos of the next 7 series.
Reply
porschedevotee 8:53PM (12/19/2007)
I see a whole mish-mash of cars in there. Looks like they had an orgy with a Z8, an Aston Martin (see it in the lights? first pic especially), and a Charger.
I actually kind of like it though. It just needs a lot of refinement, plus there are way too many surfaces that look like they could give you a pretty nasty papercut. Seriously, who put the sharp outward creases on the rear hips? I'd be worried about going to put gas in it and slashing my thigh!
Reply
steve 9:14PM (12/19/2007)
A nice looking ride, that I could never afford. Does anyone else see a hint of 1962 Dart in the character lines?
http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mmo82005.html
Reply
clevershark 10:50PM (12/19/2007)
Apparently some scientist at BMW got a M5 to mate with a Z8. Personally I can't imagine buying this instead of a Panamera (which is pretty obviously what it'll have to compete against).
Reply
Kevin 11:07PM (12/19/2007)
Gregg has an interesting point about BMW styling being good because it is polarizing and therefore not boring.
I think I would rather look at an Alfa Romeo 8C. I don't think it is polarizing but I can't imagine anyone thinking it is boring.
Reply
clevershark 11:21PM (12/19/2007)
Why can't BMW just do what it used to do best -- make clean-lined, innocent-looking saloons that own the road? I saw a pre-Bangle 5-series today and thought to myself "damn, that's a good-looking car"...
Reply
Kevin 12:55AM (12/20/2007)
There is nothing thrilling in BMW's lineup; at least there hasn't been for a while (since, say, the bangled versions appeared in show rooms).
Even the supposed "wild" M versions are tame and boring.
This BMW is something new and exciting - just what BMW needs! It's elegant and not very conservative nor loud. And if it's reasonably priced (what BMW is??), perhaps it will find widespread favor as some of the late 1990's 7 series models did.
I would definetly consider this if it was made into a production version. Very, very, very nice. My request is they not make the interior shifter like a phallic reproductive organ.
Reply
porschedevotee 2:45AM (12/20/2007)
Do you know of any phallic non-reproductive organs?
MikeInNC 8:18AM (12/20/2007)
I love this. Long and sleek yet 4 door. Reminds me of some of the old GT cars (think: Lamborghini Espada w/ back doors). Make it so I can buy a used one 10 years from now!
Reply
SomeDork 1:32PM (12/20/2007)
I like the exterior design for the most part. The rear end is ugly, and that crease in the rear fender kind of ruins the otherwise nice looking side profile, but other than that, it looks good.
the law 9:53AM (12/20/2007)
was the opel GTC based off this or the based off that?
side like the same and back a bit if you squint.
Reply
troubletown 11:11AM (12/20/2007)
I don't know about this car. I love BMW and have owned three of them in the past, but I saw the Gran Turismo concept at the Shanghai International Auto Show this April and was not nearly as blown away as much of the automotive press was. It was slightly underwhelming in the metal.
Reply