BMW X Coupe

Based upon the BMW X5 chassis (of the X5 off-roader) the X-Coupe features an all aluminium body and a 3.0 litre turbo-diesel engine. It is significantly different from any other model that BMW has developed previously. The X coupe concept car does away with traditional design and reveals an entirely new direction for future BMW car designs.

The height of the X coupe is 1480.82 mm high which is a tad taller than the 3 Series Coupe which stands at 1369.06 mm. Underneath the X coupe's lengthy, one-piece hood (bonnet) is the award winning 3.0 litre six cylinder BMW turbo-diesel engine with advanced "common rail direct injection" which develops 184 brake horse power. BMW have also managed to squeeze 332 lb-foot of gut wrenching torque out of it. BMW also say that it has a top speed of around 201.17 km/h. Because the X coupe sits quite high BMW have addressed situation of downforce by fitting a spoiler that automatically raises at high speed. However, it isn't like a conventional spoiler because this spoiler lowers from the rear bumper at 109.44 km/h.

X Coupe Inherits 4-wheel Drive System

With the X coupe borrowing its chassis from the X5 it also inherits the 4-wheel drive system which the BMW car maker refers to as "All Season Traction" (AST). In addition the X coupe boasts "dynamic stability control" (DSC-X) and "hill descent control" (HDC). Also, the absence of a traditional "C pillar" on the passenger side window allows the front window to merge seamlessly into the X coupe's rear window. This unique design allows passengers both entering and exiting from the side curb very effortless access.

BMW have also gone for a futuristic look with the lighting system on the X Coupe. The front mounted headlamps move directly with the front wheels an idea BMW may have borrowed from older style Citroens. This feature totally illuminates the bends in the road. Another interesting feature of the X coupe is that the headlamps also take a direct feed from the cars GPS system, and move in in sink with the map of the locality you're in.

Symmetry Replaced By Asymmetry

Another unusual feature of the X coupe is it's "asymmetrical shape". You may not notice it at first but a close examination will reveal that the 2 rear tail lights are not symmetrical in shape. The tailight units inboard edges are directly parallel and pointing downward and to the right of the car. The rear tailgate of the X coupe is asymmetrical as well. Plus, the entire rear section of the X coupe opens by tilting rearward. This action reveals cargo space and the X coupe's rear seats. In addition, the cabin also abounds in asymmetrical shapes especially in the X coupe clever cabin layout everything from the dash through to the rear passenger compartment.

Precise drive control is delivered to all 4 wheels via BMW's 5-speed "Steptronic automatic transmission" with standard steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifts. The X coupe also uses both the X5's traction and stability systems: AST (All Season Traction), DSC-X (Dynamic Stability Control) and HDC (Hill Descent Control).

The X coupe body sits snug over huge 20-inch rims equiped with 255/50 front and 285/45 rear run-flat tyres. Stability at speed is stabilised by an fully electronic active rear spoiler, which fans downwards from underneath the car at speeds over 110km/h. The X coupe also uses variable-intensity brake lights which display to following drivers just how soft or hard the X coupe driver is braking. Under slight braking, the tail light outer rings illuminate; but as the driver stands hard on the brake pedal, the light diverts inwardand illuminates the entire tail light area.

Orientated Towards The Driver

To say it simply, the X coupe is more like a 1 plus 3 rather than a 2 plus 2 because it has been specifically designed with the driver in mind. One good example of this can be seen in the driver controls which can only be seen by the driver. i.e. the engine temperature guage and fuel guage are conviently mounted in the driver's side door. Additionally, the driver sits high in a Nubuck-and-Neoprene-clad sports hugging seat. A carefully designed gap between the Neoprene-covered dash (and, the engine bay compartment) allows natural light to flood the footwells.

A lever located on the centre console allows the driver to view and access the colour monitor of the multi-function electronic control system. When pressed firmly in this lever alters the design of the dash to reveal both the monitor and the electronic control panel beneath. This unique control system was used first in the Z9 concept cars. It controls everything from the entertainment system, cabin passenger comfort, navigation and telematics. But on the X coupe it has been refined even further to allow the GPS navigation functions to operate while off-road and on-road as well.

Safety Is Paramount

New technology incorpoarated in to the lighting adds greatly to the X coupe's safety. As ppreviuosly mentioned, the headlights steer with the cars wheels for greater illumination of bends on the road. In addition, electronic input directly from the GPS system allows the headlights to guage the curves and bends in the road ahead and to fully illuminate them.

Another innovation is the brake lights. They indicate to following drivers how hard the X coupe's driver is braking. Under light braking only the outer rings of the brake lights illuminate and as pedal pressure increases, the illumination spreads inward until, under full braking, the entire area is illuminated.

Tomorrows Car Here Today

BMW designers have have come up with new terminology to gramactically describe the very distinctive and unusual body contours of the BMW X coupe. It is known as "Flame Surfacing". BMW says that "Flame Surfacing" allows body surfaces the freedom to revert in on themselves thereby creating a series of distinct concave and convex lines. On the X coupe this can be easily noticed especially on the doors. It also reveals itself on both the dash and on the surface of the top front wings where the bodywork has an very specific concave shape.

The new X coupe really does challenge conventional wisdom of traditional automotive design and paves the way for new and exciting ways of building cars in the near future. As a side note: It also falls in line with BMW's concept of seeking out new automobile niches in the marketplace. It is truly a reinvention of traditional automobile design and styling and we are sure to see more of this in the future