BMW CS mule spotted

[LeMansX5]

The low-slung four-seater was intended as a rival for the Maserati Quattroporte and upcoming Porsche Panamera. The company said it no longer expects to break last year's sales record of 1.5 million vehicles in 2008 and product initiatives will now focus on more efficient smaller cars.

The Concept CS, which takes its name from highly styled BMWs of the 1960s, is longer, wider and lower than BMW’s current flagship saloon, the 7-Series. It was first shown to the public at the Shanghai Auto Show in spring this year as Asia is likely to account for a big piece of any future growth in sales of high-end luxury cars.

The CS’s most striking feature is a long, low, flowing roof, which inevitably leads to comparisons with recent 'four-door coupes' – notably the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera. But the CS is neither cut nor stretched. “It was conceived holistically as a four-door saloon,” Chris Bangle said in Shanghai. “It is not a chopped or stretched anything.” The CS’s long hood suggests a powerful engine. The face is aggressive, with a hooded, intent look to the headlights. Large air openings below the front grille seem connected to like-styled apertures for the exhaust in the rear. In between, swollen rocker panels leave the impression that the entire body rides on twin tubes.

Other details are more delicate. There is an echo of BMW’s hallmark roof-pillar shape impressed in the sheet metal. There is a reference to the Z8 in the front lights. The area around the stylized kidney shapes of the grille is delicately modeled; the taillights are stretched and lightened.

[LeMansX5]

CS project is officially canceled but the grapevine has it that it is coming under RR brand.

[larskr]

Are you sure this isn`t the new 5-series?

[mwares212]

Wouldn't a Quattroporte or Panamera competitor be priced to low for RR.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by larskr

Are you sure this isn`t the new 5-series?

F10 profile is different. See spy shots here

[Viperfreak2]

Reithofer said the project was cancelled. This is probably just one of the earlier noses being tested on a standard 7 series body. This prototype was probably just being driven around Munich or Dingolfing to get someone from A to B. The idea that RR will pick up the project is very interesting, as the super wealthy would jump at the chance to drive a sporty car with that 'brand' name instead of Porsche / Aston / Mercedes etc. BUT how would you integrate a RR grille on such a sleek shape? Impossible...IMO

[X5rolls]

From the link below... is this pic an M5?



Submitted by bmw5 back in May

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

F10 profile is different. See spy shots here

[StumpyPete]

Originally Posted by Viperfreak2

Reithofer said the project was cancelled. This is probably just one of the earlier noses being tested on a standard 7 series body. This prototype was probably just being driven around Munich or Dingolfing to get someone from A to B. The idea that RR will pick up the project is very interesting, as the super wealthy would jump at the chance to drive a sporty car with that 'brand' name instead of Porsche / Aston / Mercedes etc. BUT how would you integrate a RR grille on such a sleek shape? Impossible...IMO

My great Uncle used to work for Rolls Royce in Crewe after the war until the early 80s. He used to recount a story where they had a prototype with a Grill that was only 12 inches deep. Unfortunately no pictures exist - so it could be complete hogwash. Personally I'd love to see such a car.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by X5rolls

From the link below... is this pic an M5?



Submitted by bmw5 back in May

This is just a bad and old photoshop of CS to look like 5.

[X5rolls]

Thanks - something about this picture that I like - I think it's the headlights