What is it?
BMW X Coupe
What's special about it?
BMW's all-wheel-drive X Coupe concept car displays a broad-shouldered evolution of traditional BMW design using a new form vocabulary that BMW calls "Flame Surfacing." BMW says these forms are reminiscent of energetic flames, such as those from the burning of gas under pressure. This results in a high degree of visual tension, and BMW has purposely made certain elements of the X Coupe's aluminum body asymmetrical to enhance interest in the styling.
Flame surfacing continues inside, where aluminum Nubuck leather and neoprene are the primary materials, rendered in patterns that turn from concave to convex and back to concave again. Colors are purposely discordant to preserve tension in the design. The dash is flexible, and opens in the center like a mouth to reveal the color monitor of a multifunction control system, such as that introduced on the company's Z9 concept vehicles, which includes an off-road GPS system.
To load cargo, the rear portion of the body opens clamshell-style, simultaneously providing access to the small rear seats, as long as the right side door is open. One interesting design element is that the X Coupe doesn't have a B-pillar on the right side, creating continuous interior access from A-pillar to the rear of the car.
The driver sits up high in the X Coupe, thanks in part to the BMW X5 chassis underneath the radical bodywork. Gauges and controls are all angled toward the driver, resulting in a sporty, cockpit cabin effect. Adjustable pedals mean finding a perfect driving position is that much more simple.
Under the hood is a 184-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine making 332 ft-lbs. of torque. It's connected to a five-speed Steptronic automanual transmission that includes shift paddles on the steering wheel. Top speed is estimated to be 125 mph. All Season Traction, Dynamic Stability Control and Hill Descent Control are onboard to keep the X Coupe under control on, and off, the road. Run-flat 20-inch tires also help keep the car planted on pavement or in the dirt.
Innovations have also been made in lighting: X Coupe's navigation system anticipates curves in the path ahead, and the headlights turn to illuminate around corners. The brake lights tell drivers following the X Coupe how hard the BMW is braking through variable illumination.
Why should you care?
Concept cars often hint at the design direction an automaker's stylists are heading, so look for Flame Surfacing to show up, though likely not to this extreme, in future BMWs. Beyond that, X Coupe demonstrates one way car makers are trying to combine the things people like about SUVs (tall driving height, cargo space, four driven wheels) with more sporting traits than an SUV can offer. Conceptually, the X Coupe is a hit, but it's going to take some time for the Flame Surfacing design elements to gain acceptance.
BMW X Coupe
What's special about it?
BMW's all-wheel-drive X Coupe concept car displays a broad-shouldered evolution of traditional BMW design using a new form vocabulary that BMW calls "Flame Surfacing." BMW says these forms are reminiscent of energetic flames, such as those from the burning of gas under pressure. This results in a high degree of visual tension, and BMW has purposely made certain elements of the X Coupe's aluminum body asymmetrical to enhance interest in the styling.
Flame surfacing continues inside, where aluminum Nubuck leather and neoprene are the primary materials, rendered in patterns that turn from concave to convex and back to concave again. Colors are purposely discordant to preserve tension in the design. The dash is flexible, and opens in the center like a mouth to reveal the color monitor of a multifunction control system, such as that introduced on the company's Z9 concept vehicles, which includes an off-road GPS system.
To load cargo, the rear portion of the body opens clamshell-style, simultaneously providing access to the small rear seats, as long as the right side door is open. One interesting design element is that the X Coupe doesn't have a B-pillar on the right side, creating continuous interior access from A-pillar to the rear of the car.
The driver sits up high in the X Coupe, thanks in part to the BMW X5 chassis underneath the radical bodywork. Gauges and controls are all angled toward the driver, resulting in a sporty, cockpit cabin effect. Adjustable pedals mean finding a perfect driving position is that much more simple.
Under the hood is a 184-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine making 332 ft-lbs. of torque. It's connected to a five-speed Steptronic automanual transmission that includes shift paddles on the steering wheel. Top speed is estimated to be 125 mph. All Season Traction, Dynamic Stability Control and Hill Descent Control are onboard to keep the X Coupe under control on, and off, the road. Run-flat 20-inch tires also help keep the car planted on pavement or in the dirt.
Innovations have also been made in lighting: X Coupe's navigation system anticipates curves in the path ahead, and the headlights turn to illuminate around corners. The brake lights tell drivers following the X Coupe how hard the BMW is braking through variable illumination.
Why should you care?
Concept cars often hint at the design direction an automaker's stylists are heading, so look for Flame Surfacing to show up, though likely not to this extreme, in future BMWs. Beyond that, X Coupe demonstrates one way car makers are trying to combine the things people like about SUVs (tall driving height, cargo space, four driven wheels) with more sporting traits than an SUV can offer. Conceptually, the X Coupe is a hit, but it's going to take some time for the Flame Surfacing design elements to gain acceptance.
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