BMW concept likely to spawn sedan
Purves: Expect 4-seater like CS
Photo credit: ROGER HART
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The Concept CS -- a low-slung, four-seat sport sedan -- would compete with vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the upcoming Porsche Panamera. Both competitors call their cars coupes. But like the BMW show car, they have four doors and a low roofline.
Tom Purves, CEO of BMW of North America, says BMW probably will build a car based on the CS: "We have a reasonable number of examples where we have built a concept car and relatively small examples where we have not built a concept car."
The Concept CS illustrates that BMW is "predominantly interested in building very beautiful luxury sport sedans," says Purves.
The CS is "not a stretch or modified anything," he adds. "It has aerodynamic style and presence, which is important for customers in that category."
Purves says BMW sees a market above the 7 series but below Rolls-Royce models.
Formal market research from the Shanghai auto show is not in, but the preliminary reaction to the Concept CS has been positive, says Purves.
"Our dealers, having seen the photos, are very excited," he says. "They love it. I don't know the research from the auto show. If media and dealers like it, there's a good chance the customers will."
You may e-mail Diana T. Kurylko at dkurylko@crain.com
You can reach Diana T. Kurylko at dkurylko@crain.com. -- Follow Diana on 
