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See the original image at blog.wired.com

BMW Builds a Shape-Shifting Car Out of Cloth

blog.wired.com — A concept car that stirs the imaginations of car enthusiasts and vandals alike. Pictures are abundant, but be sure to check the video to see how cool this really is.

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  • schuchwun, on 06/10/2008, -28/+53sweet ass!!!!!!!
    • technogenius, on 06/11/2008, -3/+62It is one sweet ass-car
    • sexMeUp, on 06/11/2008, -14/+8the front end opens up like a womans pussy. so.... its a sweet pussy-car... do i qualify american terminology?
      • ngmcs8203, on 06/11/2008, -5/+12A man yesterday, tell me if I buy a car I must buy one with a pussy magnet.
        He means a car that women like.
        Yes, but where do you keep this magnet?
    • Wootstapler, on 06/11/2008, -0/+3sweet ass sweet!!!!
    • xptoast, on 06/11/2008, -4/+2What nobody here thought of that in highschool? I originaly wanted to do that with a gokart. :( I am always about 6 years too late. Oh well at least I might get to see some of the cool stuff. Yay!!! Anyone else have any other cool car ideas?
      • 36CrzyFsts, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2A car that YOU sit in THEN IT EXPLODES! It's just a concept, don't know how realistic this is. Back to the drawing board I suppose...
        • 4d669, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2THAT COMMENT WAS ***** AWESOME, I SPECIALLY LIKED THE PART WHERE A GUY SITS DOWN IN THE CAR AND IT EXPLODES ON HIS ASS LIKE A *****.
    • desertDenizen, on 06/12/2008, -0/+3Love the concept, but am I the only one who assumes it starts shape-changing in a bad way at high speed?... flapping, warping, etc.? Bi-plane fabric seemed to be more rigid and pulled tighter than this.
    • chris1012, on 06/12/2008, -1/+3yea sweet.. all fun and games until someone runs a knife down the side of your car.
      • aceslick911, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2not to mention theft... just reach in there.
    • Naryuu, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1if it ever was put in production, BMW would still find a way to charge +$70000 for it although its from cheaper materials. not to mention all the puncture holes for which you would have to buy an entire new skin it looks like. sweet concept though. kinda reminds me of the flexible wristwatch laptop/cellphone things posted on digg before
    • ramunenke, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2this ***** is so sexy. the only downside i can see is someone keying your car and ripping the fabric
      • 4d669, on 06/12/2008, -3/+1That's the only downside? What about a ***** CRASH WITH ANOTHER CAR OR WALL.
        • SolitarySoviet, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2yep because you know that thin ass recycled plastic you have on your car now is REALLY saving you from that same fate... seriously none of the body on cars since the mid 80's has been of any material that would actually help you in a crash... if anything cloth would be better just for the weight savings... (less mass=less energy once moving) oh and when was the last time a cloth door panel sliced your arm off in a wreck? because I know someone who had just that happen in a crash (side collision broke the door and turned the metal door skin into a large, thin, and very sharp knife.)

          besides if you ACTUALLY READ THE ARTICLE and watched the vid there you would have heard the engineer even talk about how the frame/chassis is what takes the force in a crash (of which this car has straight from a zed 8)
        • LexisNexis, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1Yeah it's not like the frame is made with string.
    • randomstupid, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1thanks ... i've been working out .
  • Dycacian, on 06/10/2008, -6/+291I would love to see this tested on Top Gear.
    • hermslice, on 06/11/2008, -0/+18I would hate to see what the stig would do to that car....no wait i would LOVE.

      only thing is, whats under that faberic opening we call a hood??
      and how would it handle?
      • SolitarySoviet, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1a standard bmw zed 8 so just take the review on that car and subtract a ***** tonne of weight...
    • bluepass, on 06/11/2008, -10/+5Hmm, is it worth asking about its safety rating?
      • feliks2, on 06/11/2008, -0/+17Its made of a spaceframe, rtfa. The fabric means nothing.
        • dsmx, on 06/11/2008, -6/+2The fabric is there to improve the aerodynamics, if done badly however the fabric would act like a sail.
        • bstockwell, on 06/11/2008, -2/+16It's bmw, they did it right
    • kenyan, on 06/11/2008, -0/+8Dugg for commenting exactly what I was thinking by the time I saw the second picture.
    • diggingaround, on 06/11/2008, -0/+7This would be super sweet with Tesla Roadster propulsion technology.
      Screw internal combustion engine!
    • Dajhan, on 06/11/2008, -0/+7here's the Top Gear News for this.

      http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/2936/
    • megamod, on 06/11/2008, -7/+1I would love to take a gander under your frock...giggady giggady goo, ALLRIGHT *Quagmire voice*
    • Genma, on 06/11/2008, -2/+3well stig got a 1.29.0 with the alpina z8, gina is z8 chassis, 4.4L V8, 6 spd auto, the original is 4.9L V8. who knows what the weight difference is though, the cloth motors might actually make it heavier than with the full body panels.

      http://www.topgear.com/content/tgonbbc2/laptimes/t ...
      • rootneg2, on 06/12/2008, -0/+3THEY MADE THE MOTOR OUT OF CLOTH?!!

        THAT"S AMAZING!
    • bluezinc, on 06/12/2008, -0/+5I would love to see Top Gear come back for a new season already.
    • scgirl212, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1I think Clarkson said the new series comes back June 22nd!
  • BreathofCepheus, on 06/10/2008, -9/+46Sucker's gonna give the Bat mobile a run for its money..
    • diggingaround, on 06/11/2008, -3/+1....not really.. it's missing a "boob" button.. :)
    • ramunenke, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2***** that. Its going to BE the new Batmobile
    • linuxpenguin, on 06/12/2008, -1/+1No, I think the tank would just run over it.
      "We are in pursuit of a black. . .
      . . . tank."
    • 4d669, on 06/12/2008, -1/+1This video has broken every record on pretentiousness ever created, 15 seconds in and it already reached toxic levels. Apple's TV spots don't have ***** on this music from hell.
  • bawpcwpn, on 06/10/2008, -214/+217Considering the way the bonnet opens up, I can see how GINA is meant to be pronounced.
    • ravamp3, on 06/11/2008, -19/+8Va
    • Robcataus, on 06/11/2008, -7/+134This comment was taken straight from the blog comments... dugg down
      • tetfsu, on 06/12/2008, -1/+2that-a-way drive that comment directly to the top of the Most Controversial comment list.
      • starsarebent, on 06/12/2008, -0/+0Hahaha @ Robcataus. I noticed that.
    • BlindDevil, on 06/11/2008, -3/+32Taking that metaphor further...yeah, the other prototype, the Enis, has bonnet bulges to accommodate twin super-chargers and variable linear cam shaft. Near red-line, the super-chargers are fully extended to optimized forced air injection but when the rev limiter kicks in, they retract into the body and the shaft disengages all fired cylinders...and I'm spent.
    • sea206town, on 06/11/2008, -3/+99"After seeing the opening in the hood, I see how GINA must be pronounced."

      Posted by: cartouche | Jun 10, 2008 12:34:47 PM


      Way To Steal Somebody Else's Comment......
    • gcnaddict, on 06/11/2008, -3/+10parent blocked for being a thief.

      No need to read recycled comments.
    • Innisskillin, on 06/11/2008, -4/+11This comment was taken straight from the blog comments... dugg down
      • bj1989, on 06/11/2008, -2/+11This comment was taken straight from the comment above.... dugg down
        • skyroket, on 06/11/2008, -8/+3This comment was taken straight from the comment above.... dugg down2938798723@yahoo.com
    • Gaffigan, on 06/11/2008, -4/+7Dugg for the sake of non-conformity.

      >_>
    • diggimator, on 06/11/2008, -1/+12Buried for plagiarism. Just cite your source next time...
    • SayAnything2x, on 06/11/2008, -2/+3Haha...yes.
      In your face American automobiles...
    • desertDenizen, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2Shape: No accident. Form follows function. The most efficient way to allow access to an opening through cloth is a slit. Now, the name... they're just asking for trouble.
  • wun09, on 06/11/2008, -20/+15I think I just found the next BatMobile!
  • thecarpe, on 06/11/2008, -3/+219Is there a fleece version for the Midwest?
    • faceless323, on 06/11/2008, -2/+19How about a burlap version for the South?
      • Owned1Up, on 06/11/2008, -2/+11I take offense to that kind sir, we proud southerners don't have any of them fancy horseless carriages.
        • w00t4me, on 06/11/2008, -0/+3I believe seersucker would be most appropriate for the south.
    • cawpin, on 06/11/2008, -0/+17The Midwest version would be made from Carhartt.
    • thecarpe, on 06/11/2008, -2/+1If they haven't already made provisions for the antenna, all I can say is Ron Burgandy...
    • RealmDown, on 06/11/2008, -2/+25I can see the police cars made of kevlar.
    • bamartin, on 06/12/2008, -1/+1That's hilarious!
    • rootneg2, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2ooh! ooh! or how about a shiney metallic spandex version for all the rich hipsters that shop at American Apparel?

      oh... wait...
  • Cofta, on 06/11/2008, -6/+44I would love this to be the future. Being able to change the look of your car after market for zero cost completely on a whim. Every car would look unique to the drivers tastes. Unbelievable.
    • taffyhealscrowd, on 06/11/2008, -2/+5Unbelievable, indeed.
    • alpha88, on 06/11/2008, -0/+12The only downside is other peoples' tastes may not be that great.
      • HonoredMule, on 06/11/2008, -0/+8That just makes it easier for me to look good by contrast.
    • feliks2, on 06/11/2008, -1/+2Almost all "unique" cars I ever see look like complete *****. There's a reason automotive designers spend so much time in art school and then in design assistance jobs.
    • jakefloyd, on 06/11/2008, -0/+3Myspace all over again. Pink floating hearts and green text anyone?
    • Nescirian, on 06/11/2008, -1/+1Perhaps, but I missed any demonstration of actual "shape shifting" - it loojked to me just lijke a regular car with a more organic covering. Did I miss something?
      Honest question.
    • ummagummas08, on 06/11/2008, -0/+3Yeah, really awesome, until someone takes a key/knife down the side of it. I feel like cutting the cloth would be the biggest problem when considering production values.
      I'm also wondering if it's safe...
      • DarQraven, on 06/11/2008, -0/+1Why would it not be safe? It's not like the thin layer of metal around your car's frame offers any real impact protection to speak of. It just folds when there's a large enough force applied to it, and that force is minimal compared to what the steel frame can absorb.

        The only thing a steel 'skin' might be slightly better at is blocking sharp objects that come into the car at an angle, like a pole or tube or something. Other than that, I can't see steel being much safer.
      • whagwon2010, on 06/12/2008, -2/+0Of course it's not safe. That wasn't the point. That's why it's going into a museum instead of into production.
    • UsablePuddle, on 06/11/2008, -0/+2You make a nice point, it would be nice for shape shifting cars to be the future, but BMW have only put a skin on the car not developed a downloadable chassis shape!
    • Qumahlin, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1What you fail to realize is that adding your own "design" to the exterior of the car is going to most likely increase your drag coefficient and cost you more gas.

      There was a time before Hybrid cars that the #1 goal of automakers for "cleaner" cars was the reduce drag coefficient and thereby allow better fuel economy at highway and faster speeds. Only issue is the moment you crack open your driver side window, or get a large enough ding in the car you just ruined your great mileage.
      • Cofta, on 06/12/2008, -0/+0I would think the weight reduction in using fabric over metal would offset any slight drag increases. Plus who cares if you end up paying an extra few dollar in gas each fillup if you can make your car look like anything you want.
  • webkami, on 06/11/2008, -4/+64Why not see it one their own website: http://www.bmw-web.tv/en/channel/new
    • Yazilliclick, on 06/11/2008, -1/+32Because that would be bad sending traffic to some company that actually makes something. Much better to send traffic to the blog spam sites that just copy ***** from other places.
    • mydigga, on 06/11/2008, -13/+2You both fail at social media...
    • GerbilKing, on 06/11/2008, -1/+1Ah! It blinked at me!
  • hanskainz, on 06/11/2008, -26/+1you´re probably looking at my next car
  • ethanlyon, on 06/11/2008, -6/+159it's a car in a leotard
    • kgunning, on 06/11/2008, -14/+2leocard
    • thecarpe, on 06/11/2008, -0/+11Let's hope they made provisions for the retractable antenna, or that could be a very awkward moment when the radio comes on.
      • RealmDown, on 06/11/2008, -0/+6"Is that just a cool radio station, or are you glad to see me?"
      • tyywebb, on 06/11/2008, -1/+7BMW's don't have retractable antennae.
    • jcannonb, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1Does it have Jane Fonda's voice in the car along with some leg-warmers helping you do some aerobics...
  • elvis699, on 06/11/2008, -16/+12oh my god.... that is crazy! love it! BMW is my fav :)
  • larryfilou, on 06/11/2008, -11/+5Wonder if GINA'll make it as the new BondGirl... ;))
  • jonthefisherman, on 06/11/2008, -10/+5no more fender benders!
  • suckanucka, on 06/11/2008, -11/+45Between cloth cars and ethanol, the world is going to starve and be cold.
  • Oxygen, on 06/11/2008, -7/+259Do you have to take it to the Dry Cleaners when it gets dirty?
    • unionaire, on 06/11/2008, -1/+12at least you get the pleasure undressing her.

      and dressing her...it only takes 2 hours too.
      • Dustmuffins, on 06/11/2008, -4/+21Just like my girlfriend...

        Oh yeah, It's digg, I'm not allowed to have a girlfriend...

        nevermind...
    • megamod, on 06/11/2008, -14/+3it'd be awesome to get back at one of those pompous ass holes that think they're awesome just because they drive a bmw. All you need is a knife...=)
      • RevJonathan, on 06/12/2008, -1/+8Yeah cause destroying other people's property is fun?

        Ass.
      • stillasleep00, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1...which is all you'd need anyways? Hell, even a key...
    • jbassfretless, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2in other news, oxy-clean shares exploding
    • snapcase, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1Just be sure to iron out the wrinkles before taking it out of the garage.
    • codered1322, on 06/12/2008, -0/+3"This shirt is dry clean only... which means it is dirty."
      MH
  • kirk89, on 06/11/2008, -9/+12that car is amazing
  • galvo, on 06/11/2008, -55/+11. Ugly.
    2. It's a bimmer.
    3. It's not an Audi.
    • RealmDown, on 06/11/2008, -1/+10A BMW is an Audi done right.
    • VeryBoredNow, on 06/11/2008, -0/+7An BMW is what an Audi wants to be when it grows up
    • skyroket, on 06/11/2008, -2/+1There's this "bimmer" ***** again. It's "Beamer" like when you pronounce the letter "B", not some ***** up British slang term for a rimjob.
      • dmallymally, on 06/11/2008, -2/+5Actually no, retard. "Beamer" is the term for BMW motorcycles and "Bimmer" refers to the cars. Look it up.

        • skyroket, on 06/11/2008, -0/+1Google Images search for "Beamer" shows plenty of cars and no motorcycles. Google Image search for "Bimmer" shows more cars than "Beamer" so I'll give that one to you...but I don't know about this motorcycles thing.
        • galvo, on 06/12/2008, -1/+1You're a ***** dumbass. It's bimmer you ***** dolt.

          Oh and Audi > BMW
        • dmallymally, on 06/13/2008, -0/+2Does this help??

          http://www.bmwccbc.org/misc/tech-and-trivia/bimmer ...
        • galvo, on 06/13/2008, -0/+1Owned.
        • Codeman917, on 06/17/2008, -0/+1I'm pretty sure that it's always be spelled Bimmer and spoken like Beamer, since that's how Bimmer is pronounced in German... at least that's how the Germans who work at BMW do it...
  • seanmx, on 06/11/2008, -11/+2I really hope they use this in the next transformers movie.
    • monospaced, on 06/11/2008, -0/+29I hope they don't make another transformers movie
      • seanmx, on 06/11/2008, -8/+2dugg
        • dude77750, on 06/11/2008, -2/+8buried for letting everybody know when you digg something
        • Larsonal777, on 06/11/2008, -0/+4undugg... wait... i mean burried don't i... but but undugg sounds soooo much cooooler.... : ( i've hit a dilema... be cool like everyone else...or be an individual... : (
    • crodulfo, on 06/11/2008, -2/+1if they did it would probably be the gay transformer
  • lordewoks, on 06/11/2008, -5/+20This technology is gonna be awesome. They can eventually use this to create robots with skin!
    • bundwallah, on 06/11/2008, -0/+13Great!! Here come the Terminators!!!!!
    • switchman401, on 06/11/2008, -2/+4YAY. An NS-5!
      • hogiepans, on 06/12/2008, -1/+2Buried for reference to butchered version of Asimov story
  • shieldsmw, on 06/11/2008, -4/+204thanks for explaining what "acronym" and "geometry" mean.
    • TheUnlearn, on 06/11/2008, -1/+35seriously, i wish i could have punched that douche through my computer.
    • kierucom, on 06/11/2008, -2/+15Yeah; that was dumb of him. But he's probably one of those engineer-types with zero communication capabilities outside his own niche, so he just assumes he has to explain it all like we're 2 years old.
      • Mohonri, on 06/11/2008, -1/+30If we were an engineer, he would expect his audience to know the definition of the two. He'd talk about the strength and elasticity of the material, about the mechanism underneath. An engineer sure as heck isn't going to use the type of language he used.
        He's a sales guy. Marketing. They have to deal with stupid people (read: potential customers), so I'm not surprised at his choice of words.
        • eouw0o83hf, on 06/11/2008, -3/+3The video was not aimed at engineers. Listen to the dude, he's an engineer, not a salesman.

          Oh and if we were an engineer we would have some serious multiple personality disorder to overcome.
    • NeedleNoggin, on 06/11/2008, -0/+34Don't forget: "Geometry" means "Shapes"
      And "function" means "How things work"
    • Balk2K, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2explaining what what and what mean??
  • BillOReilly08, on 06/11/2008, -5/+8O no! BMW has Odo in captivity!
    • Qumahlin, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2I was going to dig you up for mentioning Odo...but then I saw your username and had to digg you down and block you.
  • TempusFugitive, on 06/11/2008, -2/+110Quite lovely, but a bit vulnerable to douchebags with knives, I would think.
    • senatorpjt, on 06/11/2008, -3/+33Not any more than a regular car is vulnerable to douchebags with car keys or even shopping carts. It certainly seems like it might be a lot cheaper to fix a rip in this thing than a dent on a steel-body car.
      • Proneguy, on 06/11/2008, -0/+10But it would likely also be more necessary to fix a rip in this than a dent on a steel-body car. Rips tend to get bigger and let the elements in; dents stay the same size and still still keep the elements out.

        Not saying it's not cool, though -- definitely is.
        • TheJokerV, on 06/11/2008, -0/+1well if your fine with the asthetics being damaged, then you could potentially just sew the fabric up.
      • Larsonal777, on 06/11/2008, -1/+9not if you have to replace the whole sheet of fabric because of one rip and who is going to replace it for you... just because it only takes 2 hours to put it on (not to mention take it off) doesn't mean they won't charge you an arm and a leg to do it.

        hey when they make a car fight back against would be Knivers theeen id get it.... bwahahaha go ahead Knife my car... bwahahaha now you have no arms. They would call it... ALICE.
    • kelmaster1, on 06/11/2008, -2/+13it will never be in production.
      • Guvante, on 06/11/2008, -1/+2This exact car won't be, but who knows if the technology itself could make it into production some time in the future...
    • lordewoks, on 06/11/2008, -1/+7No, the skin will just heal itself. Self-repairing cars here we go!
    • skyroket, on 06/11/2008, -1/+3Or hail or tree branches...
      • moley, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2I guess you never saw what hail can do to a typical sheet metal car. Unless it is a very expensive or brand new car, they generally get totalled due to the cost of repairing hundreds of tiny dents.
    • siszam, on 06/11/2008, -2/+2Or any road debris. Debris would fly up right through the skin and hit passengers.
  • hermslice, on 06/11/2008, -2/+115OMG it winked at me!!!!!!!!!!
    this a beautiful car to bad it probably will never get made
    • Larsonal777, on 06/11/2008, -0/+17but it DID get made... once... oh and such a happy time that was
  • Grandpohbah, on 06/11/2008, -3/+11I don't like to iron my pants, now I have to iron my car?... I bet the drycleaning bills will suck!
  • Zcaithaca, on 06/11/2008, -0/+16Cool headlights!
  • freezerburn666, on 06/11/2008, -1/+12just wait till somebody keys your car...
    • thecarpe, on 06/11/2008, -0/+2if it's like a sweater, it'll all just unravel.
  • somethingrudy, on 06/11/2008, -6/+62" The fabric is OPAQUE (WTF?) so the taillights shine through, and small motors pull the fabric back to reveal the headlights"

    i don't think that word means what you think it does.....
    • Sairynn, on 06/11/2008, -0/+18Inconceivable!
      • hogiepans, on 06/12/2008, -1/+2I do not think that word means what you think it means
    • tommydubya, on 06/11/2008, -0/+3Balderdash!
    • LoungeActx, on 06/11/2008, -0/+2I think they meant translucent, but it's not really translucent. I don't even know what this would be called.
      • Larsonal777, on 06/11/2008, -0/+3its like the swim suits... that girls can tan in/through.
        • Qumahlin, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1You can technically tan through any clothing, it just will take awhile. They actually make clothing for albinos and those who are "sun sensitive" that tell you the exact SPF of the clothing item. Even a solid colored swimsuit in standard materials does not completely block UVA/UVB
      • feliks2, on 06/11/2008, -0/+16Translucent.
    • diggimator, on 06/11/2008, -1/+1They'd probably want to block sunlight enough so that it won't cause internal overheating.
      Also make the entire outer frame able to change shape based on the latest downloaded design.
    • Nescirian, on 06/11/2008, -1/+0I see this error a lot.
      I suspect it's seeping in from a misunderstanding of the graphics programs which correctly use it to refer to the inverse of transparency on slider controls - unfortunately, it's just the label of the whole spectrum, which people take to mean that it's a synonym for transparency.
      Funny what kinds of things can change language.
    • stickyman, on 06/11/2008, -2/+4you think in such absolutes. just because something is opaque does not mean it is completely opaque. opacity is a term used to describe how much light is let through a substance
      • MaskedSlacker, on 06/12/2008, -0/+2Actually its a term to describe how much light does not get through a substance.
    • sittered, on 06/12/2008, -0/+5"There was light emancipating from under the basement door."
    • 4d669, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1Didn't you hear that music? ***** what opaque means, with this level of innovation nothing matters anymore.
  • gametavern, on 06/11/2008, -0/+12So we're going to have to lint-roll the outside of our cars now? Forget keying it, just pull on a string and your "skin" will have a run.
    • PolishLogic, on 06/11/2008, -0/+8On the bright side, after paying the hooker, you can wipe your dick off on the fender.
  • Exhumist, on 06/11/2008, -1/+100It shrinks into a Go-Cart after it rains...
  • Steinr, on 06/11/2008, -2/+12oh BMW please manufacture this, please please please!
    • 4d669, on 06/12/2008, -1/+1If this piece of self masturbation is ever produced, hobos will start cutting and stealing the super cloth and using it as indestructible clothing. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT? HOBOS WITH SUITS THAT LOOK LIKE A SCI-FI MOVIE FROM THE 50s?!
  • killtrocity, on 06/11/2008, -8/+3Those headlights are insane! My dream has always been to work for BMW or Porsche. Hopefully I will get a job there some day.
  • ChayD, on 06/11/2008, -1/+87"Spandex; it's a privilege, not a right"
  • datter, on 06/11/2008, -3/+28If they don't call this Car-in-a-Sack™ I'll be very disappointed.
    • hogiepans, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1“Lets take my sack for a ride!”
  • Redpaw360, on 06/11/2008, -9/+1Here is a few thoughts:

    Lends new credence to the phrase " My other car is a porsche ".....

    Highway safety factor isn't compromised?, where is the crash protection?.....

    Just what I needed: Mechanics handprints all over my new draped car.

    Stain removal?.....is it Wash and Wear?
    • BossKey, on 06/11/2008, -0/+14Here's a thought from the article that addresses all your question marks...

      ..."concept car"
    • majordannyboy, on 06/11/2008, -0/+8Crash Protection??? Crash protection is all in the roll cage or sub structure. If you see an Indy Car crash all the body work flies away and all that is left is a strong cage around the driver. Do you think fiberglass is going to provide you with any crash protection? and that is used on many cars today.

      What I would be afraid of is the little pebble that flies off the truck in front of me. That would go right through the fabric and nail the engine compartment and puncture a hose or something.

      Very cool concept and if it ever does make it to mainstream I'm sure the engineers will be working on making this a "road safe" car.
      • datafeaster, on 06/11/2008, -0/+2They've got crash protection covered: the skin balloons out right before a concept impact. Or when you're concept parking.
    • kierucom, on 06/11/2008, -0/+4I think his argument was that the plastic encasement on most modern cars doesn't really afford any measurable security in a crash; it's all about the actual frame of the automobile.
    • BossKey, on 06/11/2008, -0/+2I think many of the concerns about fabric durability and integrity at high speeds (flapping, etc.) are overblown. Come on people, let's not forget that there was a time when a certain type of vehicle was quite commonly covered in a fabric body stretched over a frame, and went faster than many of today's automobiles. The vehicle: World War I fighter/bomber aircraft, battle-tested!
  • aaron.dunlap, on 06/11/2008, -0/+67Uh..... the hood.... it looks like a.....
    nevermind.
    • SirvenomItsac, on 06/11/2008, -1/+61...GINA
    • thecarpe, on 06/11/2008, -4/+12If they forgot to make provision for the retractable antenna, you should see what happens when the radio comes on. An uncomfortable moment at best.
    • chris9902, on 06/11/2008, -2/+9took almost 50 comments for somebody to point it out.

      Says a lot about your average digg user.
    • gtank92, on 06/11/2008, -0/+1amen brother
    • warrenterr, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1And the car ***** winks at you! I see what they're doing!
    • stillasleep00, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1THAT'S why I thought it was so attractive...
  • banderwocky, on 06/11/2008, -0/+1wow. really fantastic ideas. fantastic design.
  • majordannyboy, on 06/11/2008, -0/+2pretty slick, even for a Chris Bangle design.
    • feliks2, on 06/11/2008, -0/+3Yeah, he pretty much ***** up BMWs, but I do like this. They used to be the most beautiful cars on the road (obscenly priced Ferraris, Masserattis and whatnot aside), now they are simply nice looking.
  • kyletehgreat, on 06/11/2008, -6/+0Whats with the creepy silhouettes in the background?
  • alanr19, on 06/11/2008, -4/+10nice crumple zones. *fap*
  • revmhatt, on 06/11/2008, -0/+3They need to make it out of the material used for shark proof swim gear.

    Wonderful goddamned Germans!
  • Jomskylark, on 06/11/2008, -13/+1Inaccurate, it hasn't actually been built yet. :P Awesome though!
    • killtrocity, on 06/11/2008, -0/+7Didn't they say it was driveable? Yes, they did.
    • EwMo, on 06/11/2008, -0/+3Didn't they say you could see it at the BWM Museum too?
  • IG64, on 06/11/2008, -0/+39The closest thing to automotive porn you will ever see.
    • petemcfraser, on 06/11/2008, -0/+6You obviously missed the submission about the guy who makes love to cars.

      Luckily I did too.
    • BirdCatcher, on 06/12/2008, -1/+4rule 34 suggests otherwise. I would post a link but I'm a nice guy.
    • 4d669, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1inb4 ***** pic from myspace
  • madetosink, on 06/11/2008, -1/+25"Honey, have you seen my tide-pen? Those damn birds are relentless!"

    Extremely sexy car!
  • FreeTalkLIve, on 06/11/2008, -8/+3This is clearly alien technology.

    It would be cool to have some clothes or body Armour made of this stuff.

    Imagine being able to take a ***** without pulling your britches down.
    • mikeyellenlee, on 06/11/2008, -0/+5just because humans think of something innovative doesn't mean they got the idea from some being in deep space that crashed onto earth.
      • FreeTalkLIve, on 06/11/2008, -1/+2That thing just screams UFO man.
        • mikeyellenlee, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1I'm not a "man." Go watch star trek.
    • lordewoks, on 06/11/2008, -0/+4Really? Are we so lazy that we can't be bothered to pull down our pants to take a *****?
  • transmothra, on 06/11/2008, -8/+2that car is like Internet: it's a series of tubes that look a lot like Awesome, which allows your ***** to be ripped off quicker and easier than ever, and will probably ultimately cause your untimely demise.
  • TrevorBelmont, on 06/11/2008, -1/+18I know the guy in the video felt he had to simplify things when talking to lay persons but I was feeling a little like Eddie Murphy in Trading Places.
    "...pork bellies, which is used to make bacon, which you might find in a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich."
    • dafunkmonster, on 06/12/2008, -1/+1You've obviously never worked at McDonalds.
  • DentThat, on 06/11/2008, -1/+3Uhm...what if your driving and scratch your car against something. The fabric can easily rip...and that rip will just get bigger and bigger.
    • kierucom, on 06/11/2008, -1/+4Can it? I don't believe the video covered the strength / durability of the fabric material at all; just that it was resilient and stretchy. For all we know it could be very resistant to rips & tears.
      • SpongeBad, on 06/11/2008, -1/+3The final car will be made out of chain mail. Pop can tab chain mail.
    • CaptZomborg, on 06/11/2008, -1/+3a) it's a concept. b)the material is probably highly resistant to tears.

      I think it would be better if it wasn't a seamless suit (although that looks cool). If each "panel" was made of cloth then it'd probably be cheaper to replace than getting bodywork done.
      • *jooloop*, on 06/11/2008, -0/+1And it wasn't even completely seamless. There's that whole thing for the hood to open up...
    • DentThat, on 06/11/2008, -1/+2I'm pretty sure no fabric can withstand the friction between 2 moving cars
    • DentThat, on 06/12/2008, -1/+2this fabric would make it SO easy for vandals.
  • etx313, on 06/11/2008, -2/+4What an amazing idea! Very cool work.
    • gtank92, on 06/11/2008, -2/+1shut up. jesus give a meaningful comment if anything
      • linuxpenguin, on 06/12/2008, -1/+1Shut up. At least give a meaningful comment next time.
      • 4d669, on 06/12/2008, -1/+1***** comments, give me a meaningful concept for a car.
  • traveler19, on 06/11/2008, -5/+14FINALLY! A car my KIA will out-survive!!
  • nattyb79, on 06/11/2008, -2/+0That would have been a pretty sweet bat mobile.
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