Another attraction at the BMW Museum is Chris Bangle’s GINA LightVision Concept. Situated on the last floor, the GINA Concept is still one of the most beautiful concepts designed to date by BMW.
GINA project started in 2001 and it was unveiled to the public for the first time in 2008. GINA stands for “Geometry and functions In ‘N’ Adaptions” and it was designed by a team led by ex-BMW’s head of design, Chris Bangle, who says GINA allowed his team to “challenge existing principles and conventional processes.”
What makes GINA Light Concept special are the surfaces covering the aluminum wire chassis. The flexible, stretchable water resistant translucent man-made fabric skin – polyurethane-coated Spandex, is resilient and durable. It resists high or low temperatures, does not swell or shrink and the movement does not slacken or damage the fabric.
The body changes its shape according to exterior conditions and speeds, and it also allows the driver to change its shape at will. The shape of the frame is controlled by electric and hydraulic actuators, for example, the headlights are revealed when small motors pull the fabric back in an eyelid like fashion.
At the rear-end, the taillights are visible through the soft material.
GINA features “bird wings” style of doors, a similar feature we’ve seen on the new Vision Concept. Access to the engine can be gained through a slit that can open in the middle of the bonnet. Seeing the GINA Concept in person makes it even more special and emotional and we came to appreciate the design language even more.
GINA Concept design has been rumored to serve as a base for many upcoming BMW models, from the movable parts to the design language.
As always, lots of photos are available for you, including some footage of the car.
