BMW puts top "M" engineer in charge of BMW CS Project

Mark · 01-22-2008, 08:48 AM

BMW has placed Gerhard Richter in charge of development of its new Gran Turismo model, which is based on the popular CS concept car. Richter has worked on BMW's high-performance "M" cars since 1982.

His mission — to make the CS a production reality, says Automotive News Europe. While his past work has focused on performance only, this project will involved a careful fusion of "M" characteristics with above-7-Series luxury.

While there have been rumors the car might be called 8-Series, BMW's CEO Norbert Reithofer has referred to the vehicle as the Gran Turismo. Regardless of its name, the so-called four-door-coupe will be longer, wider, lower, and more expensive than the next-generation 7-Series luxury sedan on which it is based.

Leftlane sources say production will begin in summer or fall of 2011. Marketed as a 2012 model, the vehicle is likely to be first shown to the public at a major auto show in roughly three years.

Supplier sources indicate that reverse-hinged rear "suicide doors" are being studied for use on the production model, even though the concept car did not have this feature. Engines are expected to match the next-gen 7-Series.

Pricing will be considerably higher than the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, but lower than the Aston Martin Rapide. The Gran Turismo's nearest competitor might end up being the Porsche Panamera.

Year's_End · 01-22-2008, 09:19 AM

Hey, I just read this somewhere. Is this from worldcarfans or insideline?

Anyways, Richter's role in the CS is going to be vital in its outcome. It can only mean good things when you think about it. I can't wait to see how the car turns out.

E394KEN · 01-22-2008, 02:38 PM

Z10 Please!!!

Last E92 M3 · 01-22-2008, 03:08 PM

looking forward to this.

x5love · 01-22-2008, 05:45 PM

What a tease. Three years away!

BMWPower06 · 01-22-2008, 10:23 PM

i hope its not the 8 series, i want them to bring the original 8 series back, 2 doors 12 cylinders

McLuVan · 01-23-2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E394KEN

Z10 Please!!!

+1

BMW DIET · 01-23-2008, 01:56 AM

yesssssssssssssss

ThatGuy · 01-23-2008, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWPower06

i hope its not the 8 series, i want them to bring the original 8 series back, 2 doors 12 cylinders

+1

MMMMM3 · 01-23-2008, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWPower06

i hope its not the 8 series, i want them to bring the original 8 series back, 2 doors 12 cylinders

You can watch Top Gear's review of the 8 series here:

Chris.G · 01-23-2008, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x5love

What a tease. Three years away!

+1

ase2dais · 01-23-2008, 11:34 AM

with Gerhard Richter around the rest is EZ

...lock the doors and Keep Chris Bangle Out!

BMWGermany · 01-23-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ase2dais

with Gerhard Richter around the rest is EZ

...lock the doors and Keep Chris Bangle Out!

Hm? But you do know that BMW CS concept was designed by Chris Bangle, right? I used to kind of hate Bangle's design, but it pretty much grew on me now. I think that CS is pretty nice looking, so is M5.

T Bone · 01-23-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ase2dais

with Gerhard Richter around the rest is EZ

...lock the doors and Keep Chris Bangle Out!

Richter will have his work cut out for him. The whole weight gain has to stop, he needs to design a car that is huge, weigh less, not cost too much and have it handle well.

Look for composite materials....

On Chris Bangle, you DO know he was on the design team for the E46 right?

Year's_End · 01-23-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWGermany

Hm? But you do know that BMW CS concept was designed by Chris Bangle, right? I used to kind of hate Bangle's design, but it pretty much grew on me now. I think that CS is pretty nice looking, so is M5.

Chris Bangle merely oversees designs. He applies his design philosophies to the model's individual makers. I think you're confused here.

Richter is an engineer, not a designer. He makes the cars balanced and fun to drive. Completely different job.

Year's_End · 01-23-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

Richter will have his work cut out for him. The whole weight gain has to stop, he needs to design a car that is huge, weigh less, not cost too much and have it handle well.

Look for composite materials....

On Chris Bangle, you DO know he was on the design team for the E46 right?

There are plenty of manufacturing limitations that are beyond Richter's grasps. I'm sure that if he'd want the cars to be lighter he'd be schlepping on CF for every body panel if he could. He has to make compromises to fit the overall requirements from BMW.

BCoBaby · 01-24-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWPower06

i hope its not the 8 series, i want them to bring the original 8 series back, 2 doors 12 cylinders

+1

m0n0x!de · 01-24-2008, 11:02 AM

More expensive then the 7 series! This shoul be interesting

!

BMWGermany · 01-24-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

Chris Bangle merely oversees designs. He applies his design philosophies to the model's individual makers. I think you're confused here.

Richter is an engineer, not a designer. He makes the cars balanced and fun to drive. Completely different job.

Confused? I merely replied to him because he does not like Chris Bangle. What are you even trying to say?

Year's_End · 01-24-2008, 11:38 PM

Sorry, just a simple misquote. I meant to quote "ase2dais".

Mark · 01-24-2008, 11:43 PM

This car is basicly an 8 series reborn with 4 doors. As the name implies, its going to be a large, powerful, GT cruiser. A very AMG style car IMO.

rzm3 · 01-30-2008, 09:04 PM

What bmw needs is a GT or even a supercar. Let's hope it will turn out good.

01-22-2008, 08:48 AM	#1
Mark Administrator 7031 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 1 Series M ... [8.36]	BMW puts top "M" engineer in charge of BMW CS Project BMW has placed Gerhard Richter in charge of development of its new Gran Turismo model, which is based on the popular CS concept car. Richter has worked on BMW's high-performance "M" cars since 1982. His mission — to make the CS a production reality, says Automotive News Europe. While his past work has focused on performance only, this project will involved a careful fusion of "M" characteristics with above-7-Series luxury. While there have been rumors the car might be called 8-Series, BMW's CEO Norbert Reithofer has referred to the vehicle as the Gran Turismo. Regardless of its name, the so-called four-door-coupe will be longer, wider, lower, and more expensive than the next-generation 7-Series luxury sedan on which it is based. Leftlane sources say production will begin in summer or fall of 2011. Marketed as a 2012 model, the vehicle is likely to be first shown to the public at a major auto show in roughly three years. Supplier sources indicate that reverse-hinged rear "suicide doors" are being studied for use on the production model, even though the concept car did not have this feature. Engines are expected to match the next-gen 7-Series. Pricing will be considerably higher than the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, but lower than the Aston Martin Rapide. The Gran Turismo's nearest competitor might end up being the Porsche Panamera. __________________ BMW 1M. BMW M2. BMW M2.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-22-2008, 09:19 AM	#2
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1232 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Hey, I just read this somewhere. Is this from worldcarfans or insideline? Anyways, Richter's role in the CS is going to be vital in its outcome. It can only mean good things when you think about it. I can't wait to see how the car turns out. __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2008, 02:38 PM	#3
E394KEN M3//4KEN 10 Rep 409 Posts Drives: E46 M3 & E90 335i (Woosh!) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ventura, CA iTrader: (0)	Z10 Please!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2008, 03:08 PM	#4
Last E92 M3 Lieutenant Colonel 34 Rep 1,507 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	looking forward to this.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2008, 05:45 PM	#5
x5love Captain 80 Rep 715 Posts Drives: 08 E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	What a tease. Three years away!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2008, 10:23 PM	#6
BMWPower06 A^M=G is nothing w/o the Power of ///M 173 Rep 1,817 Posts Drives: ///M5 & ///M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Washington D.C. iTrader: (0)	i hope its not the 8 series, i want them to bring the original 8 series back, 2 doors 12 cylinders __________________ Indianapolis Red BMW ///M5
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2008, 01:56 AM	#8
BMW DIET Captain 28 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2007/330coupe/silv/BBSch Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dubai iTrader: (0)	yesssssssssssssss __________________ Let me see your grillz!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2008, 11:34 AM	#12
ase2dais //Mdicted 354 Rep 9,989 Posts Drives: a Cop Magnet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 495 Ring iTrader: (18) Garage List 2009 e92 M3 DCT CF ... [10.00] 2015 S-Works Roubaix [0.00] 2013 Trek Madone 5.9 [9.50] 2012 Scott - CR1-Pro [10.00] 2008 e92 M3 6MT (Up ... [10.00] 2002 e46 M3 Cabriol ... [7.00] 2006 e90-325i (DD) [7.00] 2002 e39 M5 (retired) [9.50]	with Gerhard Richter around the rest is EZ ...lock the doors and Keep Chris Bangle Out! __________________ Oo\(lll)'(lll)/oO : 2009-e92 ///M3 SpaceGry DCT CF Rf/Trim ZTP ZPP ZCW Sat/PrmSd : \_lOOl___lOOl_/<< Clickies
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2008, 11:02 AM	#18
m0n0x!de Private First Class 3 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2003 E46 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, France iTrader: (0)	More expensive then the 7 series! This shoul be interesting! __________________ Apple's market share is bigger than BMW's or Mercedes's or Porsche's in the automotive market. What's wrong with being BMW or Mercedes? Join us: http://www.autofriendship.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2008, 11:38 PM	#20
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1232 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Sorry, just a simple misquote. I meant to quote "ase2dais". __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2008, 11:43 PM	#21
Mark Administrator 7031 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 1 Series M ... [8.36]	This car is basicly an 8 series reborn with 4 doors. As the name implies, its going to be a large, powerful, GT cruiser. A very AMG style car IMO. __________________ BMW 1M. BMW M2. BMW M2.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2008, 09:04 PM	#22
rzm3 Moderator 691 Rep 4,736 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	What bmw needs is a GT or even a supercar. Let's hope it will turn out good.
	Appreciate 0 Quote