BMW X Coupé Concept Vehicle 2001

At the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, BMW has unveiled the BMW X Coupe Concept. Dramatically different from anything that BMW has created before, the X Coupe concept car challenges traditional design theory and shows a possible new direction for future BMW designs.
BMW has deliberately questioned existing preconceptions and created a vehicle that combines the sporty styling and driving characteristics of a coupe with a sense of adventure and capability that defines a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV).
Based on the four wheel drive chassis of the X5, with a body made completely from aluminium, the X coupe stands 58.3 inches (1480 mm) high, 180.3 inches (4579 mm) long and 73.6 inches ( 1869 mm) wide. The wheelbase is identical to the X5 at 111 inches (2819 mm).

Under the coupe’s long, one-piece bonnet is the advanced 3.0 litre BMW turbo diesel engine, six cylinders unit used in the current 530d, with state-of-the-art common rail direct injection and developing 184 hp. The X Coupe’s power plant has been modified to produce 332 lb-ft. (450 Nm) of torque. Stability at speed is enhanced by a rear spoiler beneath the bodywork. Normally flush with the vehicle’s bottom rear edge, the spoiler extends downwards automatically at 68 mph (109 kph) to generate aerodynamic downforce. Top speed is expected to be in the region of 125 mph (200 kph).
A five-speed Steptronic automatic transmission takes its power to all four wheels. The driver can control the gearshift via “paddles” on the steering wheel with the gearbox in Steptronic mode. Massive 20 inch wheels carry 225/50 tyres at the front and 285/45 at the rear adding emphasis to the coupe’s assertive presence. Run flat tyres make a spare wheel and tyre unnecessary.
As a member of the BMW X family, the coupe naturally has all the traction and stability enhancing systems on board from All Season Traction (AST), for all wheel drive, through to Dynamic Stability Control (DSC-X) and Hill Descent Control (HDC). Like the X5 the X Coupe is well equipped to go off-road when required.
The X Coupe is more of a 1+3 rather than a 2+2 because the vehicle has been uncompromisingly oriented towards the driver. Controls only of interest to the driver can be seen only by the driver. For example, the engine temperature and fuel readouts are located in the driver’s door.

A low mounted lever on the centre console gives the driver access to the colour monitor of the multi function control system. When pressed this lever actually changes the shape of the dashy to reveal the monitor and control panel beneath. This control system was first shown in the Z9 concept cars and controls the entertainment system, cabin comfort, navigation and telemetics. For the X Coupe it has been further refined to allow GPS navigation functions to operate off-road as well as on-road.
New lighting technology contributes to the X coupe’s active safety. The headlights for example steer with the wheels for effective illumination of curves on the road. Input from the GPS navigation system allows the headlights to anticipate the curves ahead and to illuminate them properly.

Venturing away from the highly symmetrical world of motor vehicles the X Coupe abandons convention to explore alternate design solutions.
Although not immediately obvious, a closer examination reveals that the taillight units are not symmetrical. Their inboard edges are parallel both pointing downward to the right. The rear tailgate is asymmetrical too, and almost the entire rear section opens by tilting rearward, revealing the cargo space and rear seats.

The absence of a C pillar on the passenger window side allows the front window to merge seamlessly into the rear window, allowing cargo and passengers entering and exiting from the curb very easy access.
BMW designers have implemented what they call”flame surfacing” to describe the distinctive body contours of the X Coupe. Flame surfacing gives body surfaces the freedom to turn in on themselves and create a series of concave and convex design lines. These can be seen on the doors, the dash and on the top of the front wings where the bodywork has an unusual concave shape.
The BMW X Coupé concept prefigures the BMW X6 SUV 2007. (Picture 10 shows the BMW X6.)

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