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