BMW's Bangle comes full circle

A circle will be closed next week at the Geneva Motor Show when BMW introduces its new Z4 coupe, a production model based on the X coupe design study unveiled in 2001.

The X coupe was the first full statement of a new design language for BMW from Christopher Bangle, the company's chief of design. He has completed the restatement of BMW's main model lines — an array he described as "one sausage, three lengths" when he took over in 1992 — in that language.

Besides the redesigns of the 7, 5, and 3 Series cars, Bangle presided over an expansion that included the introduction of the Z8 sports car; a Z4 roadster; the X3 and X5 sport wagons; the sporty 6 Series; and the subcompact 1 Series (which is not sold in North America). He also supervised the styling of the Mini Cooper and the Rolls-Royce Phantom at BMW's subsidiaries.

Bangle is perhaps the most influential auto designer of his generation — and he is not yet 50. He has certainly been the most vilified, inspiring letters of outrage to editors and indignant postings on websites.

Full article here

atomicbri - 2/27/2006 2:44:40 PM

+1 Boost

I have to say I have like most of Bangles's coupe designs so far. The MINI is terrific. His sedans though to me are still al little odd in the rear dept. and the X3 is a lil bland and small for its price point. But there is no doubt he has influenced auto design and will definatelty go into the history books...

shep - 2/27/2006 10:14:09 PM

+1 Boost

I like Bangles designs, but that is not the point. BMW's drive better than any car on the road. The communicative feel between car and driver is why I drive one. The feeling of extreme confidence in the machine at your control is what matters. If you disagree, then drive one before you post about something that currently you just don't understand yet.

ContiRoane - 2/28/2006 11:38:12 AM

+1 Boost

Anyone who yawns after driving a Porsche or BMW was never actually driving the cars in the first place.

If those cars dont make you grin, youre an amateur.

Steve - 3/3/2006 2:11:31 PM

+1 Boost

So it it possible that BMW is finally realizing that the "Flame Surface" styling language truly is ugly, no matter how well Mr. Bangle can wax eloquent on why it is "complex", "genuine", and the like?

Da Vinci never had to explain the Mona Lisa to anyone. Michelangelo's "David" ha not required the "education of the consumer" to help the masses understand it's "true beauty" or the "relationship between the art and the viewer."

Ya, the Emperor has no clothes. What better way to come to terms with that, than to return to the close he wore before?

Steve - 3/3/2006 2:11:31 PM

+1 Boost

So it it possible that BMW is finally realizing that the "Flame Surface" styling language truly is ugly, no matter how well Mr. Bangle can wax eloquent on why it is "complex", "genuine", and the like?

Da Vinci never had to explain the Mona Lisa to anyone. Michelangelo's "David" ha not required the "education of the consumer" to help the masses understand it's "true beauty" or the "relationship between the art and the viewer."

Ya, the Emperor has no clothes. What better way to come to terms with that, than to return to the close he wore before?