| BMW is likely to spawn sedans to top its | | | | four-door, four-seat coupe set to be launched |
| model range in the coming years. The upcoming | | | | in 2008. The front engined and rear wheel |
| premium four-seat sedan will be based on a | | | | drive coupe is powered by an enhanced version |
| concept vehicle shown at the Shanghai auto | | | | of the 4.5 L V8 found in the Cayenne. The |
| show. Tom Purves, the CEO of BMW of North | | | | coupe is said to be the longed-for fruit of |
| America, said that the German automaker | | | | Porsche's 989 concept from the late 1980s. |
| probably will build a car based on the CS: | | | | |
| "We have a reasonable number of examples | | | | According to Purves, the dealers loved it, he |
| where we have built a concept car and | | | | sees room at the top of the range for it and |
| relatively small examples where we have not | | | | that BMW usually does concepts with the |
| built a concept car." | | | | intention of bringing a production version to |
| | | | market later. Sounds like a done deal to us. |
| The BMW Concept CS was undeniably one of the | | | | |
| breathtaking stunners of April's Shanghai | | | | The BMW Concept CS illustrates that the |
| Auto Show. The sleek coupe-like vehicle with | | | | automaker is "predominantly interested in |
| four doors has pulled mostly raves and lots | | | | building very beautiful luxury sport sedans," |
| of hints from BMW execs that the CS is a car | | | | said Purves. The CS is "not a stretch or |
| they would like to see built. The Concept CS | | | | modified anything," he added. "It has |
| is a low-slung, four-seat sport sedan | | | | aerodynamic style and presence, which is |
| equipped with cutting edge auto parts like | | | | important for customers in that category." |
| the improved BMW clutch disc, engines, | | | | |
| radiator, suspension and more. | | | | Purves said that the automaker which is |
| | | | headquartered in Munich, Germany sees a |
| The forthcoming sedan will be designed to | | | | market above the seven series but below the |
| rival vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS | | | | Rolls-Royce models. Formal market research |
| and the upcoming Porsche Panamera. Both | | | | from the Shanghai Auto Show is not in, but |
| competitors call their cars coupes. But like | | | | the preliminary reaction to the Concept CS |
| the BMW show car, they have four doors and a | | | | has been positive, added Purves. "Our |
| low roofline. Without coming out and saying | | | | dealers, having seen the photos, are very |
| so, Purves all but said that the CS will | | | | excited. They love it. I don't know the |
| likely make its way to production. | | | | research from the auto show. If media and |
| | | | dealers like it, there's a good chance the |
| The Mercedes Benz CLS-Class, based on the | | | | customers will." |
| coupe version of the E-Class model, uses the | | | | |
| automaker's W219 designation. The car marked | | | | BMW has always had a very tight community |
| the return of the automaker to the | | | | following. Analysts say that the German car |
| executive-size coupe market since the | | | | maker is one of the few automakers that |
| termination of E-Class coupe variant. | | | | support driving their cars to their limits, |
| According to a Mercedes-Benz press release, | | | | suggesting "spirited driving" in certain |
| the CLS-class was produced to combine the | | | | operation manuals. This reputation is well |
| "strong, emotive charisma" of a coupe with | | | | secured by the German automaker. This is why |
| the "comfort and practicality" of a sedan. | | | | the company is absorbed in producing |
| | | | remarkable cars with exceptional performance, |
| The Porsche Panamera, on the other hand, is a | | | | ergonomics and styling. |