New automobile tech is a stretch
BMW鈥檚 new concept car, named GINA, is entirely sheathed in lycra that is stretched, skinlike, over its metal frame. The car resembles the Batmobile clad in spandex. The vehicle鈥檚 big utility: It can alter its shape. A movable skeleton underneath the skin allows hidden headlights to open like eyelids. You won鈥檛 see a fleet of vestured vehicles on the road anytime soon, but BMW is excited by the idea of a shape-shifter.
鈥淭here are fairly new pedestrian impact regulations in Europe that require cars to be designed in such a way that the front of the car is designed to protect pedestrians,鈥� says BMW Product Communications Manager Dave Buchko. The frame of this car could tilt higher at low speeds 鈥渨here you鈥檙e more likely to encounter pedestrian traffic,鈥� he says. 鈥淎t higher speeds and highway speeds ... that frame can move in a way to allow the skin to come down lower, which is more aerodynamic.鈥� (Click to see a video.) Now BMW just has to figure out whether a car wash involves bundling GINA鈥檚 skin in with the dirty laundry.
