BMW Builds a Shape-Shifting Car Out of Cloth

[hazard02]

Hope it hasn't been posted already, but I spied this over at another forum.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/bmw-builds-a-ca.html

BMW have made a concept car covered in a flexible cloth instead of regular metal bodywork. This allows the car to change shape.
I love the way these kind of concepts allow designers and engineers to throw convention out the window, and come up with something completely outlandish.

[imdying]

And I hate the way, given the state of the world, they're allowed to squander time and money on useless shite like that.

[RiderInBlack]

Be noisy with all the fabric flapping. Can ya just imagine the effect of roadworks on the fabric. Be lucky if it doesn't get tears in it after one year on our roads.

[hazard02]

And I hate the way, given the state of the world, they're allowed to squander time and money on useless shite like that.

Suppose that the idea of cloth panels was really well-recieved by the public, and became a common feature amoung cars in the future. The weight of these vehicles would be massively reduced compared to their steel-shelled bretheren, and would therefore consume far less fuel. This is an idealised scenario, but the thinking that goes into these concepts provide the groundwork for future advancements in automotive technology. Don't be so quick to condemn something you dont like.

[Forest]

And I hate the way, given the state of the world, they're allowed to squander time and money on useless shite like that.

It is their money. I like to think they can spend it on whatever the hell they want!