BMW GINA Light from

Once the body and chassis of the car were on their own. All units were attached to a rigid solid frame was put on top of the body. But now the cars are usually built with a monocoque body. The implication is that he bears (or rather, a) engine, transmission, suspension, wheels - in short, everything you need for movement. But there is a third type of construction, the so-called Space Frame - the space frame. It is a hard roll cage, penetrating all future body from top to bottom. This framework then is coated decorative panels give the car a finished form, intended by the designer. Panels are virtually stress and therefore may be made of soft aluminum even though of plastic. Since most manufactured racing and sports cars produced in small batches: the technology is not very convenient for mass production.


And BMW has made the next logical step: a concept GINA Light (Geometrie in N-facher Ausprägung - geometry in the N-fold representation) developers strongly rejected the seemingly compulsory element of design - the very decorative body panels!


Roll cage fitted a simple concept with a cloth. The idea itself is not new: the turn of the XIX-XX centuries since built aircraft - Low-power engines of the time could not cope with the extra hundredweights even the finest metal and plastic was not yet. Of course, dropped pounds have benefited and beauty "Gina", especially since the economy today is very welcome. Yet the main idea was a fundamentally new approach to the design, the technology to design and manufacture the body. Mainly in the experimental shop became ... the cutter, welder replaced the sewing-machine, the designer - the designer.


As a result of their efforts, the outer skin has no joints - a cover, tight on the movable supporting structure. Here the word "mobile" does not mean the obvious fact that the car is able to move on the roads. Everything is much more interesting: individual tubes skeleton "Gina" can be displaced relative to the other by means of hydraulic or electric! Elastic fabric has the ability to stretch, and the car in front of astonished spectators suddenly smoothly changes its shape!


Why do it? Well, for example, to better adapt to the different speed limits. After the speedometer needle will be over 120, the rear part of the car rises, forming a spoiler, side surfaces in the thresholds also change shape, providing better aerodynamics.


Lights "Gina" finally acquired similarity with the eyes: when you turn they are due to "drop-age" machine. But the rear and side lights not marked: when you turn they just shine through the translucent areas of tissue.




Very interesting and the device hood. He is lying down or up, or sideways, but simply provided with a sewn in the center zipper.


Flick of the wrist - and access to the filler cap is opened. And access to other sites and aggregates the driver of the car of the future (and already present!) Is not needed.


Inside, too, things are not so simple.


For example, the center console when the ignition is set to face the driver.


Quite unusual problem had to be solved seamstress and sewing doors. As befits a normal suit, they are sewn into the sidewall. In other words, between the door and the front wing is no longer the gap!


But when the door opens, the fabric wrinkles inevitably (and you put your hands up in a suit and see if there are any folds). So, in the case of a car these folds, wrinkles had previously modeled on the computer, so that when you open the door dress "Gina" is not lost its charm!


Each wrinkle here is not accidental, but is intended fashion. Of course, such a result could be obtained only after a careful selection and the tissue itself. No chintz or drape here would not come. Only the achievements of modern chemistry helped to create a strong, shiny, elastic fabric, not fearful of rain, road dust, accidental drops of oil, gasoline and bitumen. This fabric does not need to be washed and can be washed directly on the "Gina", because to lose her new dress this Bavarian beauty can not.




Of course, while "Gina" is only a concept, or, if you like, a new philosophy of the automotive industry. In the next few years, the machine will not change armor on strict men's suits and dresses frivolous open. But here over time can be.