View Single Post
      08-05-2012, 02:35 PM   #1
SCOTT26
Major General
SCOTT26's Avatar
5305
Rep
5,824
Posts

Drives: A big F-off German Truck.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: WORLDWIDE

iTrader: (0)

The Revolutionary....1. BMW Compactive Sports Tourer Concept

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
The Revolutionary...1.

BMW Compactive Sports Tourer Concept is literally a few short weeks away [at the 2012 Paris Motor Show at the end of September].

We can consider the BMW i3 to be a revolutionary concept in terms of design and drivetrain but the term revolutionary can also be applied to the first of BMW's venture into FWD territory.

The sketch is what happens when you spend more than a few minutes on putting something to paper quickly.

Like any sketch whether in automotive , architectural or even interior design you first sketch your idea , only when you are happy with that idea you can begin to make it more realistic in terms of proprtions , height, light , packaging , surface elements etc. till eventually you end up with something resembling the description of the marketing brief.

Sometimes sketches lure you into a self-style of belief that this car is going to really , really sleek. (think of the first Panamera sketches) and then once you have to take aerodynamics and packaging into consideration it comes out the opposite you initially expected.

The BMW Compactive Sport Tourer has to be tall in order to suit the required interior packaging , light is extremely important to this car so an effective glasshouse helps to shrink down some of the overhangs.

A typical BMW sloping roof identifies the sporting character of the BMW design philosophy. The front design inherits the classic BMW impression of double headlights and a slightly less wide but more taller kidney grille that lay its intentions that although the drivetrain is different we still have a BMW right down to that wheel at each corner look.

The surface work and initial characterline reminds us that this is a part of the 1er family so elements are inherited and interpreted into a larger concept. The main purpose of the Compactive Sport Tourer is increased space helped by the move to FWD so space is better used all around the interior.

The drivetrain also lends itself to the MINI brand which will allow the engineers to tune the car's dynamics to each of their brands expectations. For BMW it has been a tough nut to crack but the engineers have come to a satisfactory conclusion that typical BMW driving communication and character is not lost in the translation to FWD.

The CST will also share its DNA with the MINI Traveller a car that will disguise its shared platform , electronics , components, engines etc with its own appearance of typical MINI design and bespoke switchgear.

Individuality is key for both vehicles to successful with the customer who could be choosing such a vehicle as their first BMW or MINI product.

Paris Debut

In a few short weeks we will see the Concept prior to its premiere in Paris, I should warn you though that the initial prototypes we see have excess vacumed plastic padding underneath the swirl camouflage so it loses the organic shape that lies underneath including the character line and design lines in the lower areas of the car which bring its proportions into effect. It is in reality a very good looking car and will be a very direct rival for the B-Klasse ,Mercedes which is enjoying huge success in Europe currently.

Of course we know that people will dismiss this car as not a true BMW, and that in an act of rage we will probably expect some M3 owners to burn their keys in protest. As of the renders some are way off in another direction for example it is not going to be a 6er turned into a small concept.

The BMW FWD cars are designed to be a break from the norm , a sort of reimagining of the volume car.
Each concept is designed to appeal to the customer who wants to feel that difference and also wants to stand out.

BMW CST , BMW City Compactive and BMW F.A.S.T. are individual concepts that distinguish themselves from other volume cars , looks are one thing but the engineers have managed to find that BMW feel transition to Fwd.

The new FWD family also brings MINI into a more profitable arrangement than previously.

The combined MINI / BMW FWD family also allows more concepts to come from the same modular architecture.
Attached Images
 
__________________
The M850i is evidence that BMW have got their mojo back when it comes to dynamic sports cars...
Appreciate 0