BMW uber-concept for Sydney Show

It's big all right, the biggest BMW to date and it will be at Darling Harbour as part of the Australian International Motor Show.

CARSguide can reveal that the Concept CS, a bravura four-door luxury GT coupe, will be the Bavarian's star attraction at the October 11-21 auto fest.

The presentation of the CS at Sydney means Australia will be the first Western market to see this uber-concept in the metal, says BMW Australia spokesman Toni Andreevski. The car, was first seen at the Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year.

“It's a seminal car for BMW, a true concept not just in the sense of being eye-catching to look at, but also in providing more than a hint of BMW's future direction."

“It was important to have it in Sydney to show our commitment to a market where we're the leaders in the luxury segment. It's also important for designers to get Australian feedback.”

The CS was created by a team at BMW Design Development in Munich, and comes with exterior and interior design touches that point the way to the post-Chris Bangle era.

“This is BMW's take on how the ultimate grantourismo might look,” Andreevski says.

Compared to BMW's 7 Series, the Concept CS is 400mm wider (1978mm excluding mirrors) and 67mm longer (5106mm). A sleek profile hinting at the low centre of gravity is confirmed by a roof line that, at its peak, is 124mm lower than a 7 Series.

The trademark double-kidney grille, which takes its place with the Hoffmeister kink, has been reworked to improve engine air flow.

The double BMW headlamp arrangement features innovative LED reverse projection technology to provide the illumination.

Rearward-facing lights project a beam onto a smooth reflective surface, which in turn conveys a precise beam on the road ahead.

Flared wheel arches house 21 inch light alloy wheels. The shoulder line, present in all BMWs for visual effect, is differentiated on the Concept CS with a break in this line at the rear quarter.

A trailing shoulder line at the rear curves to mirror the line of the rear-wheel arch.

The door handles are fitted flush to the lower window ledge.

Access to the car is controlled via sensors which, when activated, move the door handles proud of the bodywork.

While the outward appearance of the CS will turn heads, possibly the best news for future BMW customers is the interior statement, which is in lush contrast to the somewhat austere and lacking-in-amenity cabins of the Bangle era.

The air vents you'd expect on the centre consoles are replaced by slits, which also provide apertures for lighting.

Ceramic materials feature strongly in the driver-oriented cockpit, which boasts sports seats with height-adjustable collars.