Concept BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe concept

[marley71]

If the 7 series takes these styling cues, low and slim featured, slim headlights, and taillights, that could work.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I'm seeing quite a dilution of the BMW DNA in these live shots. I see Jag, Aston, Lincoln etc. Though it is rather pretty from quite a few angles and ungainly from others.

 

[Sunny]

Beautiful.

Unlike other recent concepts from BMW, the front end at least seems very production ready.

 

[martinbo]

^ I agree Sunny. I get the feeling that I'm looking a future 7er elements that could really work in production guise. It's imposing and authoritative - something that looks like would own the tarmac it occupies. Just what BMW needs: an anti-S-Class.

Oh and I just love that sculpted "dual hofmeister kink" C-pillar - I hope it makes it to production. This is a great concept car - barring the interior.

 

[Human]

Just what BMW needs: an anti-S-Class.

My oh my! Took me a while, lots of posts and explaining to get that message through.

Short and sweet and to the point, congrats Martin!

 

[EnI]

G11 7er: it won't be slim nor low at all. The trend of "hefty" 7er that has started with E65 (and continued later with F01) will continue with G11 as well. It's a luxury sedan after all. Also keeping space for 8er (GC).
Slimmer headlights & tail lights will be there - especially the graphics will provide such appearance. Pay attention to the current BMW Concepts (4er, X4, Active Tourer) & the upcoming i cars for the hints.
Shoulder line & body work will make the car appear longer again. The generous greenhouse will be there too - perhaps that will a bit ruin the proportions / look, but will provide better atmosphere inside.

Autobild's (Larson's) CGI gives you somehow the right impression where the design is heading although many details are completely off, and greenhouse is to small on the CGI.

Don't expect revolution though. Neither outside nor inside. Vanilla effect?

I'm told more input is being put in chassis development than into design. But I guess 7er will stay positioned where it is: between S/LS (comfort) and A8/XJ (agility, sportiness). Best form both worlds? It's a marketing thing ... And the 7er is selling well. Just trailing a bit behind S-class, while having a huge sales advantage over LS/A8/XJ etc worldwide. So, no need to change the formula that has started with E65.

 

[Human]

Shoulder line & body work will make the car appear longer again. The generous greenhouse will be there too - perhaps that will a bit ruin the proportions / look, but will provide better atmosphere inside.

I'm told more input is being put in chassis development than into design. But I guess 7er will stay positioned where it is: between S/LS (comfort) and A8/XJ (agility, sportiness). Best form both worlds? It's a marketing thing ... And the 7er is selling well. Just trailing a bit behind S-class, while having a huge sales advantage over LS/A8/XJ etc worldwide. So, no need to change the formula that has started with E65.

Some good news and some not so good news then.

Well lets face reality. For what it actually is, where it belongs and the core/target market and what it compete against, me calling myself a realist can't expect a revolution, obviously.

As long as it hints to a luxury car with a bit more of a sporty persona "Shoulder line & body work will make the car appear longer again." then a 7er at heart (F01/02 does look sportier than the S-class)

So the 8 Series will have to be THE car I have in mind and be the Anti S-class then.

 

[Human]

FOR THOSE WHO FINDS THIS OFFENSIVE (I don't, for I like the F20 a lot) sorry!

 

[EnI]

8er .... The heart says yes, the mind says no. So, I guess BMW Board says "No!".

The hottest segment right now is the luxury SAV / SAC segment. So expect X7 / X8 more, and 8er less, I guess.

IMO M7, or at least M750d / M750i will have to be enough in this segment by BMW.

 

[EnI]

FOR THOSE WHO FINDS THIS OFFENSIVE (I don't, for I like the F20 a lot) sorry!

Actually, IMO Gran Lusso Coupe is heavily influenced by BMW 2000 CS.

 

[klier]

^ I agree Sunny. I get the feeling that I'm looking a future 7er elements that could really work in production guise. It's imposing and authoritative - something that looks like would own the tarmac it occupies. Just what BMW needs: an anti-S-Class.

Yeah and lets face it, the W222 already looks like an old fat boat next to this.

 

[aleks_16]

If BMW isn´t blind they will see that the Luxury four door coupes, Luxury big Coupes and cabrios is much needed to compete with benz ( New S coupe/cabrio, possible four door coupe). The next E coupe will be positioned against the 6er for sure. The 6er should be a sporty more luxury then 4er coupe sportcoupe and the 8 a big luxury cruiser with a touch of sportiness. SAV´s/SUV´s are good selling cars but if BMW want to expand the top of the range they need cars like 7er gran coupe 8er or 9er not only SUV´s. Yes, BMW needs a proper sportscar, too. But this could be ok if the M Produce again cars like M3 CSL or a lighter sportier version of the next M6. IMO

 

[SKY]

G11 7er: it won't be slim nor low at all. The trend of "hefty" 7er that has started with E65 (and continued later with F01) will continue with G11 as well. It's a luxury sedan after all. Also keeping space for 8er (GC).
Slimmer headlights & tail lights will be there - especially the graphics will provide such appearance. Pay attention to the current BMW Concepts (4er, X4, Active Tourer) & the upcoming i cars for the hints.
Shoulder line & body work will make the car appear longer again. The generous greenhouse will be there too - perhaps that will a bit ruin the proportions / look, but will provide better atmosphere inside.

Autobild's (Larson's) CGI gives you somehow the right impression where the design is heading although many details are completely off, and greenhouse is to small on the CGI.

Don't expect revolution though. Neither outside nor inside. Vanilla effect?

I'm told more input is being put in chassis development than into design. But I guess 7er will stay positioned where it is: between S/LS (comfort) and A8/XJ (agility, sportiness). Best form both worlds? It's a marketing thing ... And the 7er is selling well. Just trailing a bit behind S-class, while having a huge sales advantage over LS/A8/XJ etc worldwide. So, no need to change the formula that has started with E65.

It´s nice to read some realistic info from time to time. And a bit of criticism with BMW as well. Good evolution of the Creative Marketing®.

But it´s sad to read info like this, though it is exactly what I knew BMW was going to do. Continue the path of the E65 and F01, a boring path I must say. I hope the more aggressive front and rear ends give the G11 the character the E65 and F01 lack of.

And regarding the super Gran Coupe, 8er, or whatever, I don´t expect this car to come. BMW is focused on niches that imply little investment and high yields (as every other company perhaps), so the X7 and even X8 make more sense.

I guess we should search for spice on the lower segments, as the 2er and 4er are proving.

 

[EnI]

When it comes to top-end luxury GT coupe by BMW: i8

It's THE 8 by BMW. It will be the most expensive BMW model available.

Competing with Benz ... Not at any price. Only if business case allows. Only if profit margin is high enough. This formula allows BMW to outperform MB. It's business after all, not a play of egos.

 

[GBOY]

I love this. This is what I expect from BMW. I could definitely own this.

 

[SCOTT27]

When it comes to top-end luxury GT coupe by BMW: i8

It's THE 8 by BMW. It will be the most expensive BMW model available.

Competing with Benz ... Not at any price. Only if business case allows. Only if profit margin is high enough. This formula allows BMW to outperform MB. It's business after all, not a play of egos.

By certain BMW come away from Villa D'este with locks of favourable feedback on the Gran Lusso. And a further public viewing at the BMW Welt and then the IAA is possible, if the car tours the shows then it points to possible production.
The CS Concept after premiere in Shanghai made its way to Moscow , Frankfurt , Tokyo , Dubai , Sydney , Barcelona and New York autoshows before the plug was pulled.

One thing was apparent especially to the BMW personnel present at Lake Como , that BMW needs cars like the Gran Lusso for the emotional side of the brand , the media received the car exceptionally well as did one ex-BMW designer who always attends Villa d'este not just for the Champagne but the petrol aswell.

Although no defining decision has been made it proves that BMW are investigating options for the luxury segment , cars that would break away from conventional BMW design language to define their own high premium status from the rest of that portfolio to build the bridge to the Rolls-Royce brand. Which is what the CS intended to do. To move the high premium goalposts further from its competitors.

I am hearing rumours that we might see another "Variant" of the Gran Lusso at Pebble Beach in August.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Competing with Benz ... Not at any price. Only if business case allows. Only if profit margin is high enough. This formula allows BMW to outperform MB. It's business after all, not a play of egos.

This is being repeated, ad nauseum. It is perfectly understood, I'm sure, by the majority of people on here. What myself and other people question is what damage is being done by the accountants. Not every business decision should be made by looking at a balance sheet. There is an untangiable benefit to making a super car, or not always going for the product which provides the highest profit. Who knows what long term damage is being done to the BMW brand. In ten years will BMW be thought of as a purveyor of sporty cars, or the home of ten different SUV's and numerous hybrid vehicles but ultimately a "dull" manufacturer?

Remember Peugeot in the 80's and 90's with their 106 GTI, 206 GTI, and 306 GTI's? Who today thinks of Peugeot as a "sporty" manufacturer?

 

[EnI]

@SCOTT27

Concept CS had an agenda: it was a preview of the "Project Gran Turismo" - a 4dr large luxury coupe which was canceled & later resurrected as 6er GranCoupe. It's not the first time. Z9 Concept (based on E65 platform) also previewed the new 8er, but BMW then decided to go with 6er instead, not with 8er.

Gran Lusso Coupe is another Concorso 'dEleganza Villa d'Este Concept by BMW (in-house design or in collaboration with other design studio) ... just like Concept Coupe Mille Miglia 2006, Concept M1 Hommage, Concept Zagato Coupe etc before it ... with no additional agenda.

 

[Human]

By certain BMW come away from Villa D'este with locks of favourable feedback on the Gran Lusso. And a further public viewing at the BMW Welt and then the IAA is possible, if the car tours the shows then it points to possible production.
The CS Concept after premiere in Shanghai made its way to Moscow , Frankfurt , Tokyo , Dubai , Sydney , Barcelona and New York autoshows before the plug was pulled.

One thing was apparent especially to the BMW personnel present at Lake Como , that BMW needs cars like the Gran Lusso for the emotional side of the brand , the media received the car exceptionally well as did one ex-BMW designer who always attends Villa d'este not just for the Champagne but the petrol aswell.

Although no defining decision has been made it proves that BMW are investigating options for the luxury segment , cars that would break away from conventional BMW design language to define their own high premium status from the rest of that portfolio to build the bridge to the Rolls-Royce brand. Which is what the CS intended to do. To move the high premium goalposts further from its competitors.

I am hearing rumours that we might see another "Variant" of the Gran Lusso at Pebble Beach in August.

Good. Thinking in the right direction and emphasis on Premium status gives me hope and confidence in the way BMW is thinking.

Now, do your studies, workshops and shows. BMW staff gets paid to do proper and sustainable market and off course all the other thousands of other research that has to be done. I get it, BMW AG is a running concern with shareholders etc. etc.

Heartfelt

Just do yourselves at BMW AG a favor and produce something marketable in terms of a 8 series / CS, something that could in reality lift the spirit of the famous and coveted BMW brand.
Bring a product to light that the rich and famous can buy and the rest of us can aspire to. It's time to get in the face of the competition at that, really it is.
Companies need to take the risks, cars like the SLS and new S-class does show DAIMLER AG has some real titanium balls. Times are not easy and the DAIMLER AG management is in a worse scenario that those of BMW AG. And it's not because of bold statements i.e. SLS and the new S-class or AMG models - That proves my point in time.

Now get to work! Please, we need some kick-ass BMW in your face ASAP!

Q: For the 2nd time around, what is the "sheet metal" of Concepts made of? For interest sake, we know its not conventional body stampings.

 

[EnI]

This is being repeated, ad nauseum. It is perfectly understood, I'm sure, by the majority of people on here. What myself and other people question is what damage is being done by the accountants. Not every business decision should be made by looking at a balance sheet. There is an untangiable benefit to making a super car, or not always going for the product which provides the highest profit. Who knows what long term damage is being done to the BMW brand. In ten years will BMW be thought of as a purveyor of sporty cars, or the home of ten different SUV's and numerous hybrid vehicles but ultimately a "dull" manufacturer?

Remember Peugeot in the 80's and 90's with their 106 GTI, 206 GTI, and 306 GTI's? Who today thinks of Peugeot as a "sporty" manufacturer?

Supercar? BMW had a supercar in portfolio for 3 years only, more than 30 years ago! And before that & since that BMW had & have been seen as sporty brand. Mostly due to Neue Klasse, and later M cars. Not due to supercar. Sure it was a hello car, and it helped to build BMW's sporty image in the 80s - especially in the US, but the crucial model was the M3, not M1!!!

And today eg 1M, or even M135i & upcoming M235i will contribute to BMW's sporty image much more than a limited edition supercar available to collectors only. Sporty cars for the masses - that's the mantra. Since most buyers buy a regular car, not a supercar.

Regarding halo car: i8. It's green, it's exotic, it's futuristic, it's sporty, it's sustainable. What else BMW needs? I don't think so.

Sure the engineers want a challenge & a toy to play with ... and some BMW fans want an object to brag about ... and collectors want another item in their garages ... but that's it. It's not a viable business case. Not even for marketing purposes only.

BMW are sticking with EfficientDynamics mantra, and i8 will be a great ambassador for that mantra. Be sure. For the petrolheads there will still be plenty of Ms. Even in special limited editions (CSL, GTS, CRT etc). Not sporty & fast enough? I doubt it. Not exotic enough. Perhaps. But as said: M3 CSL or M3 GTS is much better ad for 3er (and M5 for 5er, and M6 for 6er etc) than a supercar (eg M8 or M10) would ever be.

A supercar in portfolio doesn't make a brand sporty. Look at Toyota / Lexus. Or even Ford. Or Nissan. Do their supercars make the brands sporty? Not at all.

Also mind the following: the trend towards green energy is inevitable. And BMW AG is a small automotive company which the owners want to keep independent - that's essential to them: to keep BMW corporately & financially independent! Therefore the management has to prioritize - and put resources into future sustainable products. And not only green is the trend but also automated driving is the trend: cars as commuting devices. How "Ultimate driving machine" fits into that future? BMW have to address such challanges & reposition the brand to survive the future.

Therefore the BMW i cars won't only be pioneers in sustainable & green commuting, but in the future also the pioneers of automated commuting. And eventually the tech will trickle down to core BMW brand & cars.

Future. It's all about tomorrow, not today. Today is already secured, but tomorrow is not! Therefore the myopia can ruin the company. Especially the small & independent one. Mind: all the other sporty brands (apart from Aston Martin as of yet - but it's only a matter of time IMHO; either that or an extinction) are a part of a much larger automotive corporation.

Sure the customer's view of focused on today, but the company's view is not. They usually scarify a bit of today's (potential bigger) success for the secure & better tomorrow. And I can see the clash of interests here, I really do. But I definitely support the company's point of view here. It's much more strategic, important & crucial (for the future). IMHO BMW's strategy is the right one. And in the hindsight some other companies' strategies will prove to be bad (or at least not as good ones) ones, you'll see.