March20
BMW showed off an updated Concept CS at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday. This marked the four-seater’s North American debut since it was shown off at Shanghai last April in much more concept-like form.
BMW has taken the wraps off the Concept CS — a new “four-door-coupe” designed to tackle the Mercedes CLS, Porsche Panamera, and Maserati Quattroporte. The car is likely a preview of the recently rumored 8-Series revival, or alternatively a four-door 6-Series. Either way, it points to BMW’s future design direction for the company as a whole.
The debut of the Concept CS follows a report by German car magazine Auto Zeitung that claimed BMW would launch a four-door coupe using the 8-Series designation, starting with a new 850i.
In June 2006, Germany’s Auto Bild ran a cover story on BMW’s planned rival to the Mercedes CLS. The magazine claimed the vehicle was the next-generation 6-series, which it says will be offered in two- and four-door variants under the same nameplate.
The car’s dimensions add fuel to the 8-Series argument. The CS is 200.8 inches long and 78 inches wide — compared to the 7-Series sedan’s 198.4 inches of length and 74.9-inch width. The CS is also extremely low — just 53.5 inches high compared to the 7-Series’ 58.7 inches. The CS is even shorter than the low slung Mercedes CLS, which is 54.7 inches tall.
Live images from NYIAS
Official photos
It doesn’t strike me as coherent or very beautiful upon first look, but I feel like it could grow on me. It definitely looks very powerful and elegant. That wheel design doesn’t do much for me.
Front end doesnt look so good, because of those such big grills. But i have to say that rear end and side view is kinda beautiful, especially the rear. Hope there will be lot of power
Once again BMW has created a masterpiece work of art!
That is gorgeous! That has 8 series written all over it. I was a huge fan of the 850 then, and I am a huge fan of this one now.
I wish that front end would make it into the rest of the pack. It has some Aston Martin cues to it, but I think the BMW grills offset it enough.
If you think back on the z9 concept coupe… only the basic shapes and features made it to production on the 7 and 6 series. I suspect the same will happen here too.
What makes me excited is the clear ‘new’ design language that they’ve developed. I think this will be a stunner!!
Go BMW!
A four-door 8 series? I think not. BMW has some strong series, is this model necessary?
Least fragmented design they’ve had in a long time. If this is the “new” look, its about time.
Although all of these four-door-coupes are starting to look too similar between them, each one has managed to show some individuality in some details. This CS´s tail has been really really well solved… but those grills at the front end… mmmmm I think they should be revised before production starts. Car´s silhouette is gorgeous.
Hi F451
Yes, where there’s a market, there is a necessity.
I love it!! Much improved over the usual BMW models that are impressive performance-wise but have begun to all blend together visually.
I’ve been HATING the Bangle designs…until now. This is pretty sweet. I hope this language makes it to their roadsters, so I can at least consider one.
hmm, maybe design cues for the next 7? i doubt they’ll drop a 4-door 8 series on us.
Sweet! Love the roofline, front end, especially the headlights, looks like a Beemer version of a Dodge Charger…..the dual grill is a little big. Prolly looks much better in person. Very nice looking car and since its a BMW, I am sure it will have stellar performance.
Simply Stunning!!! This looks like a Pininfarina design!!! This car is striking and needs to go into production as is. The CLS550 has met its match. This will be a great 8-Series 4 door coupe. This will definetly give the porsche panamera a run for its money. I’ll Hate BMW if they dont make an M8. and they need an M7 too!!!!!!!!
I like it, long hoods, body lines, and fastbacks rule!!!!
I hope they do it. Everyone in Europe & Asia will copy their styling cues as usual. That’s a good thing… we can get rid of all the SUV front ends and slab sides on the all the sedans.
It also reminds me a lil bit of the AM Rapide.
A good looking car you retard.
I hate the styling of the 1,3,5 and Z series, but this is a decent looking car. Look at the second photo again. Also look at the awesome tail lights.
Ugly from the front, a mercedes from the side, and the inside is typical concept looking, the only thing i like is the aggressive rear
You know, if you had to choose from the Mercedes CLS, Porsche Panamera, Maserati Quattroporte, Aston Martin Rapide, or the BMW CS, I’d say life is pretty good. I’m sure everyone critiqing this car will be putting money down on its competition.
HOCKEYGOD1331:
Take your “Hockey” and your “God ” and what do you have(brainwise)?
Yeah BMW
Finally going to dump your ugly 1980’s interiors.
oodles, i looked at the pictures..its a shame they have to rely on shadows to make the car look good
————>all these cars’ll git smoked by the King of the Hill, the Panamera…
I rate this design a 7 on a scale of 1-10. The shape is original, and very sleek, but the front just doen’t look right to me.
i agree i thimk all angles are good but the front bulge thing at the bottom just looks wrong.
W16:
…considerably more than a letter (W) and your age mentality (16)
front looks a bit like the 70s firebird to me…
The Panamera may or may not be faster, but there’s no doubt the BMW looks 100x better.
Wow, this new 8 is gorgeous!
that rear end is straight lexus. i still like it.
I was a bit startled by the design at first, but I actually like it.
That being said, I’m concerned it might suffer the same problem as the 6-Series, which is be gigantically massive. There has to be some reason they’ve chosen to photograph the car next to mountains.
Dodge called. they want their Demon headlights back
Like anything on the Demon isn’t ripped off, lol!
The concept is stunning. I’ll hold the rest of the praise until I see the production version.
horrific, but the interior is interesting
I think this fits in quite well with the CLS, Panamera crowd. I’m still very partial to anything Aston makes in terms of looks but this car is pretty close. I’m not a huge fan of the interior, looks to be inspired by the 70’s set design for Logans Run. But overall, pretty hot ride.
“oodles, i looked at the pictures..its a shame they have to rely on shadows to make the car look good
Comment by hockeygod1331″
Yea, that’s BMW for you… I mean, all other manufacturers use NON SHADOW CASTING LIGHTS.
Dude, go play with yourself in the street, might get more attention there.
I like everything but the giant grills. Makes it a little too Batmobile.
Definitely a major statement!
Now, if they’d turbocharge their V8, this would make my dreamcar list. This thing needs torque, not 9000rpm childishness.
Absolutely exquisite.
the exterior is sick…tightest car ive seen especially the rear w/ those exhuast pipes. the interior needs a screen somewhere just doesnt look right just a Heads up display isnt enough. bet it has a hefty amount of horsepower
back is good, but the front makes it look like an SUV
That last pic is a stunner.. but the long roof/short deck looks exactly like the Lexus GS there.
Looks gorgeous to me, especially from the rear, I think the front end is a little rough around the edges, but it still looks great in my eyes. Despite what the majority think, I truly do believe Chris Bangle is a brilliant designer, you can’t argue w/ the effects, his designs have sold well, and despite all of the criticism, I think they’re incredible and progressive.
The front kinda reminds me of the shelby gr-1….mostly the headlights….
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2005/2005-Ford-Shelby-GR-1-Concept-Aluminum-F-OD-1024×768.htm
I dunno i might be the only one who sees it…but thats the first thing i thought of when I first saw the front end
nose reminds me of the tribeca, but other than that i like it.
That would be a definate winner. everything is absolutely gorgeous except for that buck tooth grill.
I hope this is just a Concept cuz I’m not getting it. Some parts look alright and some parts not so much.
Don’t like it. Its doesnt know if it wants to be a coupe , hatchback or sedan. This design doesnt come together for me.
7 series for sure.
Lambourginiz,
I think they’ve sold a lot of cars IN SPITE of Bangles designs. Once your in the new cars, they sell themselves and you forget what they look like. I do like the 6 series. But the 7 is fugly, the 5 is asthetically “challenged” and the new 3 looks OK but not memorable. It blends into traffic a little too easily now.
ugly front end
adapt the front end to bemore streamlined like the current six…that would make it the ultimate car
Very nice design IMO.
Fresh Bavarian Poop.
looks good. CLS better
from the front it looks like a gimp / blow up doll….
Shame, since from all other angles I think it looks great. Will be interesting how it fairs against the lower priced Panameras. At least Pork has put the cat amongst the pidgeons as far as the 8 series is concerned - I;m not a fan of the current design at all. At least now BMW will have to make a propper effort.
Looks like BMW is fighting back by copying other carmaker’s design cues. The big ovoid kidney grille is a poor interpretation of a Maserati grille while the rear pontoon fender bulges came from the Dodge Charger. That rear fender line does not blend well with the character line. Its broken character line let down the whole design. Better for BMW to make original polarizing designs rather than following the usual trend of mishmashing different designs into one.
I like everything but the front end and it just needs a little tweaking. One of the better BMW designs to come out lately.
completely reminds me of the 8 series
Nice, new pictures! I think this is quite possibly my favorite recent BMW, and far better than Panamera and CLS visually.
I really like the idea of having the leading edge of the car at the hood line. It reminds me a lot of the bimmers I LOVED from the 80s. I agree the front needs just a bit more work to be perfect, but the overall design is so much nicer than the other bimmers available right now.
Oink Oink! The front looks like an angry chipmunk. I’m also not crazy about the added rear fender line. However I do love the dash & interior. I don’t see a huge iDrive screen dominating the dashboard!! The look is clean & sleek.
love the profile, love the interior, but do agree about the rear fenderlines.
I think the vertical “bars” in the grill are a major contributor to the over done effect of the grill. If you look at the next to last image which is one of the concept renderings, the grill area (sans vertical bars) doesn’t seem nearly as bad/overdone.
The Back, sides and top are good but the front is a little ….. arrgh theres not a word for it!
Too busy. Too many creases make it look incoherent.
rapide
panamera
CLS
8 series
A7?
what a segment
Those speed and rpm dials look neat, but very hard to read. I prefer the spartan interior-style of the current BMWs. From some angles, the front of the car has a shape that reminds of an American muscle car. The side profile reminds me of the Porsche Panamera. Looks like rehashed design elements from other models.
It’s good, but it will take some time to grow on me.
I don’t know about this one… nothing about it really screams BMW. Cover up the grill and I probably wouldn’t be able to tell who the manufacturer is. With some refinement, it could be nice, but does BMW really need this?
Obviously inspired by the all new Maserati Coupe…
I love it, but I’d prefer if the grilles were a bit smaller. Can you imagine what an M version will be like?
yeah great.. but where is the z9 concept?
I hate that long hood and stubby rear end look. Those gauges are horrible as well.
good point those are ugly plastic gauges
i don’t like itm it looks unfinished
What a huge ass car! Good thing it’s elegantly German in design. The gauges are obviously those dummy plastic things they use on concepts, so don’t anyone have a conniption. Did I mention this frickin’ thing is huge? I’d bet in person it’s even more impressive to behold.
Bring it on.
In the meantime, pass the Keystone and get my wife-beater out of the hamper; I need to head over to the trailer park and find me a girl like Gen.
bmw always has the best looking designs. i can’t stand the interior, but it could grow on me.
This car looks great but I dont know if it would look better than the CLS 63 AMG. It sure is long enough though to probably lay down vertical instead of horizontal on the car seats which I guess is a good thing.
FUGLY!
Hmm I liked it when it came out and I still like it. I for one would certainly welcome back the 8-series. Haha maybe they’ll bring back a V12 850. lol
The front end is shark-like, similar to that of the new Mitsubishi Lancer, which I have mixed feelings for.
Otherwise, this car is sex on wheels!!!!
I rather watch saggy, wrinkly 90 year old’s do it doggie style
BMW comes up with the worst ideas for cars. I see now that they are shooting for the elephant scrotum look.
Not my cup of tea. Looks like smiling Chinaman. Of course it was introduced in mainland China and I imagine accepted well.
audi-lover, are you sure that 90 year old grandma would concede to your filthy offer?
What’s “Updated” about this concept?? It looks like the exact same car. Please, do tell . . .
autonut, someone cough… (LP) is using audi-lover’s handle. Trust me audi-lover would never say anything like that about a BMW.
TWO THINGS:
1. PLEASE WHATEVER YOU DO WITH THIS CAR (DO NOT) GO IN AND INCORPORATE ILLOGICAL THINGS TO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IN ORDER TO FORCE AN OWNER TO BRING THE CAR TO THE SHOP (EX: INSTALLING THE HOUSING OF GEARBOX UNDER THE OIL PAN LIKE THE JAGUAR 3.0 X TYPE)
2. PLEASE GET YOUR (DESIGN) TEAM OUT OF THIS (RETRO)-THINKING HALLUSINATION AND HAVE THEM GET RID OF THAT DASHBOARD IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. (THIS YEAR’S AUTO SHOW COME TO ATLANTA AND BROUGHT A GORGEOUS CAMARO WITH IT, AT A COST BETWEEN $25K - $30K, CONVERTIBLE WITH A 400 HP V8 ENGINE THEN THEY INCLUDE A RETRO DASHBOARD LIKE YOU GUYS HAVE ON YOURS) NOT ONLY IS THAT ILLOGICAL TO DO IN 2008 BUT IT MAKES ME THINK YOUR DESIGN TEAM STINCKS AT COMING UP WITH SOMETHING THAT’S THEIR OWN) (BIG FAT DESIGN-JUNKY FASHION-PROSTITUTE COPY CAT) MUST REFLECT 2008 NOT 1957!!!!!!!!
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! This is one of the most gorgeous designs I have ever seen and I am very hard to impress. The front end oozes sheer class and the interior is elegantly beautiful. It’s like a fusion of the 6 series with the Vanquish. I hope they change nothing and put it into production. It doesn’t matter how they tag it. BMW have lost their way somewhat in recent years style-wise. This proves they are back with a BANG!