BMW has decided that the outside of a car doesn’t need to be made of metal. The BMW GINA concept vehicle (GINA = Geometry and Functions In ”N” Adaptions) stretches silver translucent fabric over aluminum and carbon pieces to create the shape of the vehicle. This allows the vehicle to literally change its shape based on the pieces under the fabric. The headlights close and open much like a humans’ eye. The spoiler rises up out of the fabric to create a ducktail-like spoiler. The doors simply open without a cutout for hinge. The ‘hood’ opens from a seam in the middle. The translucency of the fabric means the taillights simply shine through the fabric instead of being cut out of the fabric.

Watch the video above to see BMW Design Chief Chris Bangle explain the concept behind the GINA and see the pieces/parts in action. The video reveals the essence of this concept vehicle much better than any images can.

BMW GINABMW GINA Concept Taillights

Why should cars have a metal skin? The performance and safety of the vehicle is all based on the underlying frame. The metal skin on modern cars offers no structural benefit and only makes cars heavier. Airplane wings have been made of fabric stretched over a metal frame in the past, so why not cars?

This great concept was created by a BMW design team led by Chris Bangle. Already one of my favorite automotive designers, Bangle’s team has really pushed the envelope here.

Thanks to Gina Moraco for the tip. See more photos after the jump…

BMW GINA ConceptBMW GINA Concept RearBMW GINA Concept 'Hood'BMW GINA Concept Front with Doors OpenBMW GINA Concept InteriorBMW GINA Concept Door Opening

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Ricky Salsberry is an interactive designer working in Chicago and the editor of The Donut Project. In his spare time he reads/rants about technology, watches hockey, wrecks his bike, and designs some more.