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Rinspeed Unveils BMW i8-Based Concept Called Etos. Public Debut at CES 2016

Eccentric Swiss craftsmen of Rinspeed have unveiled their latest concept car, and it is based on a BMW i8.
Rinspeed Etos 62 photos
Photo: Rinspeed
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The latest Rinspeed creation was teased in October, but the company has recently unveiled a photo gallery accompanied by a press release. Just like the previous BMW i-based concept, the Rinspeed Etos can drive itself. Unlike the Budii Concept, the Etos is based on a BMW i8 hybrid car. If the BMW i8 isn’t stunning enough in standard form, the Rinspeed mods take it over the top and to another level. Unfortunately, most RInspeeds aren’t commercially available. As far as we know, at least.

In a visual sense, the car has a distinct shade of electric yellow and sits on 20-inch Borbet GTX rims. Both the front and rear fascias have been altered in typical Rinspeed fashion. The Swiss company claims to use special ceramic and metal alloys.

In case of the Etos, a Greek inspired name, the guys at Rinspeed experimented with the bond between man and machine. As the Swiss company itself put it, they wanted to find out how much “human component should, must or may there be in a machine.

The elaborate explanation stands by a detailed list of all the stunning technologies this concept is fitted with. As we already specified, the Rinspeed Etos can drive itself and the steering unit even disappears into the dash to offer more room for the driver. The retractable steering wheel is made by ZF TRW and is one of the most interesting things about this concept. We feel this way because we’re speaking of an officially branded product fitted to a concept car by a famous automotive supplier.

The infotainment system is designed by Harman and features Connected Car technology. This particular system is meant to act like a personal assistant for the driver and can supply him or her with information without distracting the car’s occupants. From the traditional push of a button to current voice controls and advanced gesture controls, the car has it all.

In case you haven’t noticed from the official press photos, the Etos even has its own DJI drone and landing platform. By the way, the same landing platform is equipped with 12,000 individually controlled LED lights that can show electronic messages or become a “virtual dancefloor.” We have no idea what the latter means, but we’re sure nobody is implying dancing on that particular space of the BMW i8 turned into a Rinspeed Etos. In case they did, please don’t.

In typical Rinspeed fashion, the on-board drone can fly itself to shoot selfies of the ride. Furthermore, the same drone can go on little “field-trips” to solve life’s little troubles, like picking up a package. Somehow..

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About the author: Sebastian Toma
Sebastian Toma profile photo

Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver). In over fourteen years, he got behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles and in the offices of the most important car publications in his homeland.
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