The Big 8

So physically and data wise the car is looking alright. In direct comparison with its contemporaries it's still a bit too soft and wobbly but not terribly so. Given the curb weight of right around 2 tons/4000lbs it's quite amazing how strong the 5.7L engine pushes the car versus the 90s heavy weights like the Dodge Viper RT/10, Honda NSX, Ferrari 512TR, Lamborghini Diablo VT and Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1. Wheels are also specific to the B12 5.7 courtesy of Michelin:

Model Render Review

So here is the model in the middle subdivision export variant meaning the geometry is finer and more complete but not all out insane half a million polys. The goal here is to have something accurate, smooth and pretty with reasonable detail at under 300.000 polys. Thing is that will include windscreen wipers, mirrors, antenna, brake calipers, door handles, badges and lights < all very geometry intensive components. Also inside of the wheel wells are missing.

The most recognizable area that needs work is the pop up headlights which are sort of work in progress at this stage. I previously had them cut out of the original hood geometry reflecting the slope but these are now straightened planes somewhat distorting the hood slope in front. Here's what I'm on about:

See the rear? Nice no? Yeah...see the front? Yeah, that's my problem. Rear works without the curve but the front does not.

Apart from that the wheel wells in the rear are nice, symmetric and angled whereas in front the outside is not finalized. When I tried to apply the same treatment to the front that I applied to the rear before the shape of the entire front wheel flare arch was distorted. I have no solution for this yet because I'd need to curve the wheel well after straightening it and I don't know if Blender has that functionality.

Moving up a bit the overall proportion looks spot on which is very important to me as the few dev teams out there who have worked on the E31 mostly got it not quite right IMHO.

The rear lower fascia needs modeling on the inside and the lights are work in progress. In fact I'm reworking the lights completely in the rear as I never really got the shape right in the first place.

I'll use the line you can see below at the outer rear edge of the body where the vertical line runs through the rear light to remodel them.

Isn't she a beauty? Do I have a render of a green E31 with these turbine wheels and the M-Package fenders? You bet...

Ouh yeah, that's what I'm talking about and yes, the wheels are one size up from the factory 17" size but hey - will measure everything to scale later.

Lower rear 3/4 shot...not much more to report here.

Peace out

I'll see ya on the flipside once I've taken care of...

• pop up headlight geometry/sealings and hood finalization
• rear lights and integration as well as sealings
• front wheel arches
• wheel arch interior modeling

After that we'll deal with the other construction site...