The way the headlamps open is a bit "scary", but the overall idea is brilliant IMO, as Bob Smith stated in his first post.
most probably this will get implemented partially: using the cloth to cover SOME parts, like a moveable rear wing/ front radiator / headlights/ etc.
Basically build the car as usual, then put the cloth in the parts where you need to have it move. or the parts that usually have seams and cause aerodynamic drag (like the bonnet/frontbumper area).
this way you can get the best of both - and since its a smaller area, if it gets knifed, replacing is problably much cheaper.
And in fast sports cars they can make the car change shape according to speed.
Basically build the car as usual, then put the cloth in the parts where you need to have it move. or the parts that usually have seams and cause aerodynamic drag (like the bonnet/frontbumper area).
this way you can get the best of both - and since its a smaller area, if it gets knifed, replacing is problably much cheaper.
And in fast sports cars they can make the car change shape according to speed.
WOW! :jawdrop:. Thats a seriously cool concept, serious respect to BMW 
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If it works and they sell it, I'm buying one of those
.If it works and they sell it, I'm buying one of those
Thats great, untill it catches fire.
Because, you know, metal-skinned cars don't burn. 
Don't worry they figured that out as well.The cloth is not just an ordinary cloth it's a special one.As fabric roofs for convertibles fall out of favour, BMW has discovered what to do with all that left over material, cover the rest of the car in it. The GINA Light Visionary Model is a two seat roadster with a textile cover that resists water and extremes of temperature stretched across a moveable metal framework for an almost seamless outer body. And about safety, the body panels don't help that much, the framework is the one that does all the work.Anyway I think she is the next generation of Z4s.
I think a steel spaceframe or aluminium tub (Elise?) has huge potential if correctly used in sports cars where price can't warrant a full carbon tub that are currently using steel monocoque chassis. Whether one then slaps bits of plastic, cloth or fibreglass over it doesn't really make much of a difference but the cloth does have certain unique features.
arent most tin top race cars that are built from scratch space frames with thin bits of cf wraped around them? and dont most that use the original monocoque just trow in a spaceframe rollcage which then effectively becomes the most stressed structural component?
That's pretty nice, but all the chavs will start slashing the bodywork aswell as the tyres.
Yes, more serious production racing cars normally have the rollcage connected to the suspension pickup points.
Well, the metal itself doesnt actually go into flames, i presume fabric would go into flames much easier than metal....
Or am i missing something
Whats next, Renault will make a car made of cheese?!
Nah, the Americans (duh) beat them to it:
But that doesn't make it very good. 
And the french would make it work, not reliable but work.
And the french would make it work, not reliable but work.
BMW pesents A car skin made from cloth !?
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