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.
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