58 Votes

Breaking: Chris Bangle leaving BMW!!

BMWBlog submitted on 2/3/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:16:27 AM

67 user comments | Category: Spy News | Source: | SOURCE: www.bmwblog.com

Breaking news this morning.

Many online publications and some of our sources are reporting that BMW’s Chief of Design, Chris Bangle will leave BMW. A controversial designer, Bangle has been behind many of the recent BMW vehicles and it influenced the design path chosen by BMW.

In a statement issued earlier, Mr. Bangle said that is leaving BMW to “pursue his own design-related endeavors beyond the auto industry”. We have already seen him being involved in teaching at the prestigious Harvard University, and with other many projects on the way. It is being said that Bangle will continue to cooperate with BMW.

As an inside news, not mentioned in the Press Release, some talented BMW designers will follow him in his new design studio.

We will be back shortly with more updates.

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— BMWBlog (View Profile)

User Comments

BMW Nation breathes a collective sigh....then prepares for attack from Bangle-haters.

I'm callin' it: 150+ posts...
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 10:27:59 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7

His designs were controversial, but I think BMW was better for it.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 12:04:14 PM | | Votes: 2

that is good for BMW
just keep him away from Audi
— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 1:22:16 PM | | Votes: 5

HE PUT BMW ON THE MAP ALL YOU OTHER HATERS CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT

TALLY UP THE 2002-2008 BMW 7 SERIES AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU COME UP WITH THIS GUY HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB WITH THE PREVIOUS 7 SERIES f&*K AL YOU HATERS
— B7FAN (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 2:32:01 PM | | Votes: 1

I always though Bangle's resignation (or firing) would be a happy day. I thought the Z4 was too excessive and just plain bad, indulgent design. I thought the 3-series was too Asian from the rear. But now when I see how much influence Chris Bangle had on almost all 21st century car design, I'm not so sure I'm glad to see him go. When I look back on pre-Bangle BMWs, what I though were classic good looks are now just plain looking and boring. And that includes the brand new 7-series.
— grysko (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2009 12:19:56 AM | | Votes: 3

Hey grysko..........it might have been boring to you because you dont know anything about style. your still used to the same old boring audi shape since the early 90's and the A8 has to be the most boring design of this class it had nothing to it but a stretched A6 look thats all....Good thing BANGLE knows something AUDI doesnt. Thats HOW TO BE DIFFERENT>>>>I HOPE YOUR CATCHING THE SARCASM BECAUSE I AM LAYING IT ON PRETTY THICK.
— B7FAN (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2009 7:39:52 AM | | Votes: 1

I think Honda/Acura should do what ever they can to persuade this man to help them out, even if it's for a year, because those stupid grills arent' working.
— silverarrow2 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2009 2:29:25 PM | | Votes: 2

the sole reason i didnt buy an M6 is now gone. What an ugly car. Looks like a cheap aftermarket rearend kit.
Im sorry and hate to disagree but the old M6 and 635 CSI were timeless, simle yes, but timeless.

— 4x4rules (View Profile)

Posted on 2/6/2009 5:30:11 PM | | Votes: 1

Why does Lexus need him? They just steal Bangle's designs anyway.
— blackbr (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 10:54:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Standard Chuck "I hate Lexus" comment--check.
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 11:23:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
— Milton (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 10:33:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Good riddance! Now BMW can get back to its once beautiful and timeless designs.
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 10:46:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

Bangle hasn't designed anything in the past 5 years...so I don't think this will really affect anything BMW is currently doing.

— Spectator (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 10:56:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

BMW is for shallow people, aka badge whores... who cares about the designers. It could be hoodydonk, hoodwinked, hoodypunk, or a 5 year old designing these things, it'll still sell.
— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 11:13:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

Sector: I'm going to go on a wild tangent and say you have never driven a BMW.

Typical ignorant post.

Love them or hate them, when it comes to driving dynamics, they are the standard. Nissan created Infiniti to pretty much compete against BMW on every model line.

Think before you speak/post.
— kablaam (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 7:39:21 PM | | Votes: 3

BMW is not for badge whores. They are for people who appreciated a car that is engineered beyond anything you have obviously driven. I have never driven a car like my 535i. Pure exhilaration. Try driving one before you open your uneducated mouth.
— FitzLA (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2009 11:02:06 PM | | Votes: 1

I see you never driven an Audi. If the car salesman let you, test drive an R8. 10 light years ahead of BMW.
— iLexus (View Profile)

Posted on 2/5/2009 8:07:23 AM | | Votes: 1

Great, now we will see revolutionary new designs, not the evolutionary as Porsche.....
— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 11:43:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -8

Just when he was getting the hang of it.
— 993Turbo (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 11:47:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Probably end up at Hyuandai or however you spell it.
— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 11:51:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

LOL for the "however you spell it" :) ||| It was the heat from huge success of Audi modern styling philosophy that set Bungle's trousers on fire and made him run out of the kitchen. Can you image Walter de'Silva leaving Audi? Exactly. I see it as weakening of BMW's design stronghold. Sorry, by 1er, 3er sedan, X1 and X3 are/were just plainly wrong.
— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 12:38:14 PM | | Votes: 0

Chris has been a great personal friend over the years and a great friend to AutoSpies.com.

We wish him luck in the future.

He will go down in automotive history as the Pablo Picasso of car design.

Best of luck to our good friend Adrian as well.

He is also destined for the automotive design hall of fame.

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 12:48:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

BMW is in financial trouble like most car makers today.They are reigning in their designs for future cars because of this. I would not be surprised if Bangle was forced out.
— mini22 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 12:49:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Well Mr. Bangle wants to go beyond designing cars and dive into other artistic fields. Good for him. Do not forget how many 'other' car companies 'borrowed' Bangle's designs!
— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 1:04:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

Nice way of saying that he was either pushed out or something is not so right at BMW these days.
— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 3:38:33 PM | | Votes: -4

Looooong overdue! The guy has been marginalized for the last 5 or so years with good reason. Someone at the top of that company took his pencil away a long time ago, I'm surprised it took Chris this long to walk away. Say what you want about his designs, progressive, controversial, etc... the man alienated many BMW faithful.
— Kthorn (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 1:06:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 1:26:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 1:26:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Why do you think we're smiling?

MEN love beer.

You should try one someday. ;)

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 3:09:27 PM | | Votes: 9

Charles is not yet allowed to drink.
— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 3:19:24 PM | | Votes: 1

wow oo1 you met bangle?? i dont know what to say....
— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2009 6:02:23 PM | | Votes: 3

i may start to love the brand again. the only bangle design i like is the 6 series (slightly biased).
— 1dott8 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 1:47:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Last gen 3/M3, 335 coupe and convertible, m3 coupe and convertible, 2008 550i, X6, X5 are my favorites from his regime.

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 3:11:35 PM | | Votes: 3

You can actually thank VanBootydonk for the 6 series.
— Kthorn (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 5:12:13 PM | | Votes: -1

you may not like his designs but his name is defiently well known now
— RaulT (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 2:20:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

LOL

I'm with ImevilHomer. I wish him well anywhere but Audi!
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 2:23:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

They all have VERY strict non-competes in their contracts so that wouldn't happen anytime soon.

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 3:13:03 PM | | Votes: 4

I loved this guy. No matter what anyone says, He is the one that put BMW on the future map. Without his aggressive designs BMW wouldn't have won so many design awards. He always played it "out of the box" and was copied by almost everyone. Thank you Mr Bangle for all the great work. Good luck. Americans can design good looking cars after-all ;)
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 3:39:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Non-compete contracts do not necessarily stand up. You can deny someone the right to making a living in the chosen profession.
— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 3:40:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

The greatest news I heard from BMW in last 10 years.
— TopGear (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 4:06:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

I enjoyed pretty much all of his designs. He changed the game for BMW. I respect him for that. I'm interested to see how the current styling will evolve though.
— Chip (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 4:59:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

Love or loathe his work, Bangle's impact on auto design has been profound. I like BMW's replacement as head of design group. His name is Adrian van Hooydonk. He's got talent. The BMW 6 series and 7 series clearly bear the hallmark of van Hooydonk's design influence, as do the Z9 concept car, the concept CS, and the M1 Hommage concept. BMW fans should see some sweet looking car's in the coming years.
— BM3W (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 5:25:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Thanks for the good news! Way too long in coming. There is hope for BMW after all.
— thstone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 6:53:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I thin Infiniti will hire him
— pchera01 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 7:07:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!!

There is a God!!

I'm close to tears right now.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 7:19:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

I think Subaru, Saab, and Chrysler desperately need his help... mainly Subaru though. Man Scooby's engineering deserves better looks than what they currently have.
— Jordanski (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 7:31:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

If ToyLex had a brain in it's head they would hire Mr. Bangle for a billion bucks and get those goofy lookin' cars in shape :-\
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 8:15:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

bmw needs henrick fisker.....
— iamdabest1 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 9:29:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

EL34: Is not gona happen, their design department is always seated over their own heads.....
— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 9:48:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

BMW fans can breathe a sigh of relief. I for one truly hated Bangle designs.
— hyundaifansdotcom (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 10:13:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

hyundaifansdotcom: I'm sure you hate Bangle designs, but I'm more than certain you love the new Genesis. Care to explain how your beloved Crooked-H flagship sedan's exterior and interior designs are heavily based upon signature Chris Bangle design queues?
— Jordanski (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 11:11:26 PM | | Votes: 2

Bangle was a nobody at Fiat, he'll be a nobody once again.
The propellor is what leases BMW's, doesn't matter what they look like.

B7Fan,
2002-2008? I see 60% leases on some of the ugliest cars conceived.

Blackbr,
He's a fraud and if anything, BMW kicked him and his crappy design team out. Just go on telling yourself that Bangle didn't steal designs from everyone else.

Any of you blind badgewhores and enthusiasts not notice that all of Bangle's work to ruin BMW has been reversed in the last year or two, starting with an X5 that barely changed from the previous generation and the slow migration back to good design?
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/3/2009 11:37:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Clever guy, left early before the new 7 series sales figures could come up.
— cls550 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2009 3:44:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

I was wondering. What has happened to AmazinBimmer? He should have come to Bangle's defense some time ago. Was he finally banned (I hope)?
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 2/4/2009 2:50:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

looks like chuck is gone to
— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 2/5/2009 3:01:07 AM | | Votes: 0

^lmfao
its about damn time!
— Jordanski (View Profile)

Posted on 2/5/2009 3:28:47 AM | | Votes: 1

I disliked Bangle's influenced designs to the point of not buying any bmw products for years.
— desertwindauh (View Profile)

Posted on 2/6/2009 2:22:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

I think the man is a legend in his own time even though I wasn't crazy about the last 7 series. The Z roadster flame design is gorgeous and daring at the same time. I wish other auto designers had some balls and put out real designs like this guy did. I think either Lexus or most likely Hyundai will pick him up. Hyundai's 2nd generation Genesis sedan will need a new design language that says this car is a HYUNDAI.
— 3pointstar (View Profile)

Posted on 2/6/2009 4:25:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Great news...What Bangle did through out the years he spent with BMW is putting every BMW model in a clown suit!...not only this but the design philosophy plague has spreaded over some other auto manifacturers too.
— medrad (View Profile)

Posted on 2/8/2009 1:18:35 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Breaking: Chris Bangle leaving BMW!!

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