BMW to showcase new Concept Compact Sedan at Auto Guangzhou

The BMW Group has chosen Auto Guangzhou 2015, starting today November 20-29, to present the company’s vision of a four-door sedan for the compact segment.

Commenting on the unveiling of the concept, senior VP of BMW Group design Adrian van Hooydonk said, “The BMW Concept Compact Sedan reveals the potential we see in a compact sedan. It not only gives the driver and passengers a generous amount of space within a compact area but does so while providing the sporting ability you’d expect from BMW and elegance otherwise only available in large BMW sedans. The quality and intrinsic value of the BMW Concept Compact Sedan are clear signals of our premium intentions for the car.”

As great growth potential can be seen in the Chinese premium compact market, BMW has conducted in-depth observation and research for the segment’s development trends and target customers.

“The characterful design of the BMW Concept Compact Sedan embodies the driving pleasure offered by a sporting car with minimised exterior dimensions. It is as distinctive as it is essential – and, as such, it injects new life into the compact segment. This four-door sedan stands for everything that sets BMW apart,” explained Karim Habib, head of design BMW Automobiles.

 The BMW Concept Compact Sedan creates a familiar sedan silhouette based around a three-box design. Its sweeping bonnet and long wheelbase stretch the car visually, while the slightly set-back greenhouse further underlines its sporting nature. The four doors are integrated harmoniously into its proportions and allow easy entry for the driver and all passengers. Discreet soft-touch handles below the swage line open the doors as soon as a finger touches their metal surface.

The interiors are much similar to other BMW family cars, all the lines, forms and controls geared towards the person behind the wheel. This is highlighted by the prominent lines that converge in the direction of travel either side of the steering wheel. The form of the horizontal, nozzle-shaped air vents and their internal structure continue the theme. The instrument panel is made from Nappa leather, open-pored wood and brushed aluminium form an attractive triad of materials, whose leather-covered top surface is stitched in contrasting colours.

All the technical features are modelled to flawless ergonomic effect, such as the climate system controls, gearshift lever and iDrive system. All the other functions on the steering wheel, centre stack, centre console and door openers are operated using backlit touch-sensitive surfaces, whose high-gloss black surfaces provide a highly exclusive interior ambience when switched off. In addition, a “combiner” Head-Up Display and 8.8-inch screen is based in the centre.