Car of the Day - BMW GINA

Car of the Day - BMW GINA

BMW pushed the boundaries of innuendo, technology and mind set with the 2008 GINA (Geometry and Functions In “N” Adaptions), in this case surely a reverse engineered four letter acronym. The concept undoubtably has merit and the use of new materials in automobile manufacture with be a rapidly developing area as nanotechnology passes through its infancy.

Whether a material is developed that either makes a seamless skin practical, or can be used as a wrap and then chemically hardened, there is potential advantages in many areas. Part rolling sculpture, part research test bed, the GINA’s overall design if produced in metal would be in keeping with the current BMW design language. The continuous one piece skin wraps a form meeting current two seat sports car proportions, but refined to make one seamless uninterrupted flowing form.

The flexibility of the material opens up new possibilities for the future with the potential for a design to be able to morph to meet aerodynamic or aesthetic requirements. As it stands the headlights, air ducts, rockers and rear spoiler are all electro or electro-hydraulicly controlled to allow their form to change to meet the current driving style or required function.

While it may look like some talented German designers drew the idea on a coaster in German Beer Hall after a night at their favorite fetish club, the underlying concept offer great potential for future design and manufacture. Do you think the BMW board got the name when they approved it?

Rod Halligan