SHANGHAI -- BMW unveiled a sleek sedan concept here that likely will become the brands new flagship.
BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer gave a strong hint that the Concept CS will go into production. This would be a sensible extension of our model portfolio, he said on the eve of the concepts debut at the Shanghai auto show.
If built, the production car would rival the Mercedes CLS 4-door coupe, Porsches Panamera due in 2009 and the Aston Martin Rapide, which launches a year later.
Reithofer said BMW unveiled the four-door Concept CS in Shanghai because the car wasnt ready for the Geneva auto show last month and the carmaker did not want to wait until the IAA in Frankfurt in September.
Adrian van Hooydonk, head of design for BMW brand, said the 5100mm-long concept is an obvious next step in our design evolution.
You may e-mail Wim Oude Weernink at oudeweer@wxs.nl
