What is it?
BMW CS1 Concept Car
What's special about it?
At last year's Geneva Auto Show, BMW announced that it will build the 1 Series, an entry-level car in the BMW lineup to be pitted against the ever-popular Volkswagen Jetta. The CS1 reveals possible design cues of the small car, which will near completion in 2004. This isn't just a regular BMW that's been in the dryer too long — it is the beginning of an era that will see a clearer delineation between BMW models.
The CS1 is a four-passenger convertible with familiar BMW design cues such as twin kidney grilles, dual headlights and curt front and rear overhangs. A sharply creased shoulder line and wavy side sills make the concept stand out from the slick, smooth, sexy shapes of current BMWs.
Inside, the CS1's ancillary controls such as comfort, communication, navigation, information and entertainment functions are housed inside the iDrive system that's currently in the 7 Series, hinting that it will someday be a part of all BMWs. The interior is composed of beige Nubuk leather and, according to the press release, "both the design and the choice of materials emanate a flair of optimism, joy of life and spontaneity characteristic of a new generation enjoying life and expressing this joy through their lifestyle." Really? OK. Well, what we saw were architectural flying buttresses-type arches and framing elements that really do open up the airy interior. Transparent gel pads cradle your bum in comfort like a large Dr. Scholl's and translucent materials line the door panels.
Powered by a 1.8-liter inline four with Valvetronic making 115 horsepower, this rear-wheel-drive vehicle is managed by BMW's SMG — a sequential manual gearbox that allows for swift gear changes without a clutch via paddles on the steering wheel. The CS1 rides on huge five-spoke 18-inch wheels through which its 13-inch brake discs can be seen.
Why should you care?
The CS1 is unmistakably a BMW, but we don't know, lately BMWs seem to lack that va-va-voom-I-must-have-you-now appeal. It started with the bizarre X9 coupe (flame-surfaced for extra flavor!) concept that debuted at the 2001 NAIAS and it seems to be trickling down to productions models (so who thinks that the new 7 Series is a gorgeous vehicle?). BMW seems to be intent on taking over the world and thus far has had no trouble reaching its goal, so we won't really question its aesthetic sense. — Liz Kim
BMW CS1 Concept Car
What's special about it?
At last year's Geneva Auto Show, BMW announced that it will build the 1 Series, an entry-level car in the BMW lineup to be pitted against the ever-popular Volkswagen Jetta. The CS1 reveals possible design cues of the small car, which will near completion in 2004. This isn't just a regular BMW that's been in the dryer too long — it is the beginning of an era that will see a clearer delineation between BMW models.
The CS1 is a four-passenger convertible with familiar BMW design cues such as twin kidney grilles, dual headlights and curt front and rear overhangs. A sharply creased shoulder line and wavy side sills make the concept stand out from the slick, smooth, sexy shapes of current BMWs.
Inside, the CS1's ancillary controls such as comfort, communication, navigation, information and entertainment functions are housed inside the iDrive system that's currently in the 7 Series, hinting that it will someday be a part of all BMWs. The interior is composed of beige Nubuk leather and, according to the press release, "both the design and the choice of materials emanate a flair of optimism, joy of life and spontaneity characteristic of a new generation enjoying life and expressing this joy through their lifestyle." Really? OK. Well, what we saw were architectural flying buttresses-type arches and framing elements that really do open up the airy interior. Transparent gel pads cradle your bum in comfort like a large Dr. Scholl's and translucent materials line the door panels.
Powered by a 1.8-liter inline four with Valvetronic making 115 horsepower, this rear-wheel-drive vehicle is managed by BMW's SMG — a sequential manual gearbox that allows for swift gear changes without a clutch via paddles on the steering wheel. The CS1 rides on huge five-spoke 18-inch wheels through which its 13-inch brake discs can be seen.
Why should you care?
The CS1 is unmistakably a BMW, but we don't know, lately BMWs seem to lack that va-va-voom-I-must-have-you-now appeal. It started with the bizarre X9 coupe (flame-surfaced for extra flavor!) concept that debuted at the 2001 NAIAS and it seems to be trickling down to productions models (so who thinks that the new 7 Series is a gorgeous vehicle?). BMW seems to be intent on taking over the world and thus far has had no trouble reaching its goal, so we won't really question its aesthetic sense. — Liz Kim
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