BMW Builds a Shape-Shifting Car Out of Cloth

By Chuck Squatriglia, June 10, 2008 | 12:38:21 PM

Concept cars give automotive designers a chance to let their imaginations run wild, often with outlandish results. But even by that measure, BMW has come up with something as strange as it is innovative -- a shape-shifting car covered with fabric.

Instead of steel, aluminum or even carbon fiber, the GINA Light Visionary Model has a body of seamless fabric stretched over a movable metal frame that allows the driver to change its shape at will. The car -- which actually runs and drives -- is a styling design headed straight for the BMW Museum in Munich and so it will never see production, but building a practical car wasn't the point.

Chris Bangle, head of design for BMW, says GINA allowed his team to "challenge existing principles and conventional processes."

"It is in the nature of such visions that they do not necessarily claim to be suitable for series production," company officials said in unveiling the car Tuesday. "Rather, they are intended to steer creativity and research into new directions."

Giving Bangle and his team that latitude to design so radical a car "helps to tap into formerly inconceivable, innovative potential" to push the boundaries of appearance and materials as well as functions and the manufacturing process, BMW says.

Bangle and is team actually built GINA -- which stands for "Geometry and functions In 'N' Adaptions" -- six years ago, but BMW kept it under, er, wraps until Tuesday. It's built on the Z8 chassis and has a 4.4-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission. BMW says the fabric skin - polyurethane-coated Lycra - is resilient, durable and water resistant. It's stretched over an aluminum frame controlled by electric and hydraulic actuators that allow the owner to change the body shape. Want a big spoiler on the back? Wider fenders? No problem. "The drastic reinterpretation of familiar functionality and structure means that drivers have a completely new experience when they handle their car," BMW says.

GINA has just four panels - the front hood, two sides and the rear deck. The doors open in jack-knife fashion and are completely smooth when closed; access to the engine is through a slit in the hood. BMW says the shape of the body can be changed without slackening or damaging the fabric. The fabric is opaque translucent so the taillights shine through, and small motors pull the fabric back to reveal the headlights.

The interior is equally innovative. The steering wheel and gauges swing into place and the headrest rises from the seat once the driver is seated, making it easier to get in and out of the car.

BMW says GINA is built on a space frame that provides all the safety of a conventional car, but we suspect people - not to mention BMW's lawyers and government regulators - wouldn't embrace fabric bodies. Still, the company says GINA could influence the design of future Beemers.

Photos And Video by BMW.

Toyota Body Kits—drive The Coolest Car In Town

Sick of the bland look of your car? Sick of seeing everyone having the same style of car as yours? Well then, you need a Toyota body kit.

Toyota body kits can make your vehicle look like it is owned by a big boss or a Hollywood celebrity. Toyota body kits are exterior modifications to your car capable of customizing your car according to your personality.

Finding Toyota body kits is easy. You just have to drive to your nearest automotive shop and see which kit fits the modifications of your car. Body kits are designed to fit only one make and model so make sure you are getting the right Toyota kit specifically made for your car. You cannot force or alter a kit just because it doesn’t fit your car. Either you will destroy it or your car won’t look good. There are, however, flexible or general body kits that are available but it is more advisable to buy the one specifically made for your car to avoid further hassle.

If you want to save time and effort, not to mention some money on gas, you can always opt to purchase or order body kits online. There are several online stores that cater to different type and brand of body kits. Make sure that you find the right the store for you. Scammers are on the loose in the cyber world. Protect yourself by doing a background research regarding the reputation of the store first before doing any business with them.—This way, you will be protecting yourself from these scam artists who just want to get your money. There are many honest and reliable online sellers out there, you just have to really look around.

When, finally, you found a reputable online seller, it is now time for you to order. There are basically two types of body kits. One is urethane and the other one is fiberglass. If you live in a place where the road is smooth and the weather is good, then fiberglass is best for you. If, on the other hand, you reside in an area where the climate is cold and road is rough, then Urethane is the one suited for you.

The next thing you have to consider after ordering is how you are going to install the kits. Will you install it by yourself or are you going to a local body shop and have them installed it for you? If I were you, I will seek the help of experts in a local body shop, that way I can just relax and watch while they beautify my vehicle.

Find the newest Toyota body kits ,Toyota projector headlights at Ilovebodykits.

By: ilovebodykits

Reason For Buying American Cars In A Recession

With the down turn in a global recession and the American economy going down the tank, prices for used cars in the United States have never been cheaper. Importing American Cars to Canada can be a little daunting with all the importation Customs paper work and shipping logistics involved. But this can be all worth your while when you see how much money you save.

Even with the Canadian dollar at 85 cents U.S. you can save about 20% of what you would’ve paid for a used automobile in Canada even after you calculate the dollar exchange and shipping cost into the total cost of vehicle. The biggest savings are on mid range to high end cars; it’s really unbelievable the difference in prices. American Used Cars are thousands of dollars cheaper, it just show you how Canadians have been getting ripped off by Canadian car dealerships.

Americans are losing their jobs at a record pace. With the credit crisis and the mortgage melt down disaster still evolving, the last thing Americans are thinking of doing is buying a car. American car dealerships are dropping their prices drastically each and every month to try and entice Americans to start buying cars. U.S. car dealerships are throwing everything but the Kitchen sink to make something work.

Also you have to take into the equation the car industry in America, it’s in a very bleak situation, and American car Dealerships are closing up and going out of business at a record pace. This makes it even better for a Canadian to get a better deal done with an American used car dealership than you would in Canada. If you’re thinking of buying a vehicle in the United States just remember when browsing different auto websites the price that is listed with the vehicle on the internet can be in most cases negotiated down as much as $3500u.s..

If you’re really contemplating buying a used car from the States you’re going to have go to the “Register of imported vehicles” you use this to find out what modifications the vehicle will need when its landed in Canada. Also you’re going to want to find out the history of the vehicle, this can be done by using carchex.com and they will tell you the complete history of the vehicle. You will also need a customs broker to handle your shipping needs. But if you’re like me there are some reputable companies in Canada that you can find online and I suggest you shop around first to see what there fee’s are and if it fits your budget, let them handle the shipping, title clearance (ownership), U.S. custom paper work, Canadian customs paper, Car history check, emissions test and the negotiating with the U.S car dealership on your behalf to get you the best deal done.

By: natishanel