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2007 BMW Concept CS

With oil prices soaring at home and consumers scrambling to downsize theirdinosaur SUVs to smaller gas misers, it's hard to imagine that an ultra high end touring concept car is getting everyone so excited. But wait, the unveiling didn't take place in Detroit! I suppose it's fitting that the new BMW Concept CS, a super grand touring four-door “coupe” powered by a rumored 6.0-liter V12, had it's unveiling in China at the 2007 Shanghai Auto Show. Why over there and not in North America? Well, China's economy is booming and the upper class' thirst for premium cars is growing just as fast. In Beijing alone, over 1,000 new cars are registered every day. Furthermore, with the affluent comes the demand for premium luxury status symbols, evident from last year when BMW sold over 45,000 cars in China, of which 20-percent were the opulent 7-Series.

The Concept CS bridges the gap between the more formal 7 sedan and the sportier grand touring 6-Series, similar in concept to the Mercedes-Benz CLS that has now inspiredfollowers such as the upcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide. Designed for drivers wanting a little bit

With the four-door coupe market swelling with concepts and rumors, hopefully BMW will join in with the CS. (Photo: BMW)

more practicality out of their sports car, this four-door, four-seat coupe offers individual seating for each passenger. Rumored to share the same platform with the upcoming 7 series replacement, the Concept CS is designed for an “ambitious driver offering the passengers the same experience of sporting performance and luxurious pleasure”... or so says the official press release.

At first glance, the lines of the CS are consistent with BMW's current “love it” or “hate it” design language, with pronounced curves and contour lines along body panels first seen with the Z4 and current 7-Series, brought to life under the direction of chief designer Chris Bangle. According to BMW, the technique is called Flame Surfacing because it is "reminiscent of the forms

This is BMW like we've never seen: two-tone leather, ceramics, metal... it's eye-catching and beautiful. (Photo: BMW)

of energetic flames, such as those from the burning of gas under pressure". BMW says thatFlame Surfacing "gives body surfaces the freedom to turn in on themselves, lending a high degree of visual tension... a controlled tension whose energy pervades the entire visual image without in any way diminishing the vehicle's overall harmony." I call it forward thinking. So much so, that the likes of GM, Lexus, Toyota and even Hyundai are mirroring the design cues of BMW.

The BMW Concept CS is "a step forward from today's look", and as BMW commented, "We wanted to do a big, sporty car without making it appear heavy." Well, it might not appear to be heavy, but being that it's based on a 7-Series it will no doubt be rooted solidly to the pavement; we won't know for sure until BMW releases more details. They did give us dimensional measurements though, which add up to 200.8 inches in length,

Dodge Charger, anyone? (Photo: BMW)

77.9 inches in width, and 53.5 inches in height, showing off its muscular stance on staggered 21-inch alloys separated by a lengthy 123.9-inch wheelbase. Short overhangs on both ends coupled with a low stance add to the aggressive persona.

The gentle tapering of the low roofline profile is reminiscent of the Mercedes CLS and the renderings we've seen of Porsche's new Panamera, which, while beautifully shaped, is unfortunate for back seat passengers, many of which, like me, have a hard time getting in and outof the CLS' back seats without bumping the head. And once inside the rear seat I personally feel claustrophobic due to the limited rear headroom. Let's hope the Concept CS doesn't share the same issue.

As you gaze into the eyes of the car's shark nose front, you'll recognize the prominent BMW trademark twin kidney grills that feed the air to the rumored V12. And if that's not enough, two large air vents on both sides of the lower bumper valence function to funnel cool air to the massive rotors and binders.

Following the elegant

The kidney grille is the highlight of the CS nose. They're even larger than the lower air intakes! (Photo: BMW)

lines to the side of the CS, with its long hood and tapering roofline to a short “notchback” trunk, its graceful silhouette, low stance and long clean lines are plain to see. Keeping the side body contours flowing, even the door handles are integrated along the chrome window trim. They automatically flip open whensensors react to hand movement, providing you have the associated key fob stashed away in your pocket or purse, mind you. The contour line runs across the front door and mid-way along the back door, only to be broken up by a curved crease near the prominent rear wheel arch, which flows rearward to each taillight, emphasizing the muscular stance of this rear-drive beauty.

Preliminary reactions from others have pointed out how similar this rear wheel arch treatment is to the Dodge Charger. This may be true, but where the design cue looks like a styling addition on the Charger, it seems integrated into the CS design more holistically, as if it was merely the reaction of a well-tone body after a serious workout. Altogether, the ebb and flow of the CS bodywork creates a sense of movement and fluidity even

The car is one color, but it looks as if it's many different hues all at once. That's the magic of flame surfacing. (Photo: BMW)

when the car is at rest. I'm not certain, as I've only seen it in silver, but I'm guessing that, like most cars, lighter colors highlight this vehicle's dynamic expression, showing off the exterior features more fully.

Moving towards the back you'll find quad twin exhaust tips integrated within the rear bumper to maintain the aerodynamic flow. Above the bumper are chiseled LED taillights that surround the trunk line; a less controversial rear design than the “Bangle Butt” of the current 5- and 7-Series.

The only thing that doesn't appear fitting are the “eye lids” that hide the top half of the otherwise sculpted headlights. In fact, they're reminiscent of cheap aftermarket plastic pieces used to create that “slanted” eye look. Why would BMW spend so much time and energy on lighting design and technology, only to hide half of it with a plastic cover?

Step inside, however, and you won't be forced to endure any cheap plastic afterthoughts. Rather, you'll be treated to top-notch man-made surfaces, as well as rich two-tone leather on the seats and interior panels.The interior is clear of clutter and distractions, its simplicity reminiscent of vehicles portrayed in The

Four-door, four-seat coupe. Merc, Porsche, Aston, and now, of course, BMW. (Photo: BMW)

Jetsons. There is a purpose to this minimalist environment, however. Leaving only the primary controls critical for piloting the car, the driver is freed to enjoy the actual driving experience. And the marriage of materials and color scheme are truly inviting. Controls and vents are accented by glossy and matte metallic finishes, combined with ceramic materials, while the dashboard and seating area are balanced with two-tone, earth colored premium leather. There's a sense of contemporary elegance and warmth just looking at the cabin, let alone sitting inside. The CS is such a refreshing escape from the drab cold interiors provided by many of today's cars. The over cladding of plastic aluminum panels, trim, and accents can be a bit much after awhile.

The instrument dials feature clear overlays, so when illuminated they appear 3D-like. Interestingly, BMW has allowed the different gauges to sit on top of each other, adding visual depth. This “layering” theme extends throughout the interior, with the combination of shadows, colors, and textures overlapping, furtheremphasizing the organic nature of the interior. Along the dashboard to the ceramic knobs, and then past the shifter down to the iDrive control dial, the center console flows all the way to the rear seats where it acts as an armrest. Purposefully asymmetric curves and

Proof that China has serious power in the auto industry: it's got BMW's attention. (Photo: BMW)

material overlaps flow with a graceful ease, heightening the car's sense of dynamics. I think I could spend an entire day inside the Concept CS, gazing at the masterfully sculpted curves and lines complemented with specially designed interior ambient lighting that stretches the length of the car. Like being in an art museum, ready to inspire and take us to another place. C'mon, ask yourself. When was the last time you sat in a car that took you places before even starting the ignition? Little doubt this is what BMW is attempting to do, and if the CS comes to production like this prototype, it will certainly stop some of us in our tracks as we attempt to walk past.

The term Gran Turismo is used to describe a class of vehicle imbued with high performance sports car DNA and the sensibility of space and comfort for long distance driving. In coming years, when you look up this term in the dictionary you might just find the BMW Concept CS as an example, despite that GTs are mostly comprised of two-doors. The times are changing, and I applaud BMW for taking its unique design innovations to the next step, in a quest to capture the ultra exclusive high performance touring market. We already know there's a thirst for this car in Asia, but will we have the same appetite here? If the long anticipated Porsche Panamera, or for that matter Aston Martin's Rapide is any indication, I think the Concept CS will become a Reality CS soon enough.

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