[Yay-Z]

current bmw cars don't have a design problem. The current lineup has "fun to drive" problem

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by Yay-Z

current bmw cars don't have a design problem. The current lineup has "fun to drive" problem

No shortage of fun in my new 2 series

[ice31]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Any coincidence that Mercedes have upped their game in exterior design since he left them, and BMW have gone backwards?

My thoughts exactly... Let's hope BMW gives the job to someone with balls.

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

I love Paul-Bracq's designs. They can BOTH be great designers. And they are.

Thanks for the Paul-Bracq thread. What a legacy!!!

In just four years Paul Bracq completely changed the look and perception of the brand and litterally brought the brand into modernity (the 80's). We need someone like him at the helm of BMW design...


There are such designers out there and here are a couple of examples...

Laurens Van der Acker (head of design for Renault): he completely changed the look of Renault from boring looking or bizarre sometimes into sleek and modern. One of the most striking example is the Clio subcompact. See before and after.





Peter Schreyer (head of design for the Hyundai group - including Kia): he completely modernised the look and helped change the consumer perception of Kia. His influence on the great success of the brand was so great that the Hyundai group created for him one of the top position in the company: Chief Design Officer (unheard of that a design position is so high up in a car company). The model that illustrates this best is probably the midsize sedan Optima.

[pilot_bro2003]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

Sad, but hopefully the new head of design will have BMW move away from their conservatism and create more exciting looking models...

They should have stayed with Chris Bangle! You still see the influence flame surfacing (aka bangle butts) has had with every other competitor. He and his team would have still been blazing a trail if he were still there. IMO.

[gabriox]

well its time for a change! i am excited for the future!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

In just four years Paul Bracq completely changed the look and perception of the brand and litterally brought the brand into modernity (the 80's). We need someone like him at the helm of BMW design...


There are such designers out there and here are a couple of examples...

Laurens Van der Acker (head of design for Renault): he completely changed the look of Renault from boring looking or bizarre sometimes into sleek and modern. One of the most striking example is the Clio subcompact. See before and after.


Peter Schreyer (head of design for the Hyundai group - including Kia): he completely modernised the look and helped change the consumer perception of Kia. His influence on the great success of the brand was so great that the Hyundai group created for him one of the top position in the company: Chief Design Officer (unheard of that a design position is so high up in a car company). The model that illustrates this best is probably the midsize sedan Optima.

No doubts they are both great designers, but in both these situations they took over at point where those respective organisations were particularly poor at design, so it's much easier to see their impact.

[DCG]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

Sad, but hopefully the new head of design will have BMW move away from their conservatism and create more exciting looking models...

I second that!

Time to start kicking ass.

[DCG]

BMW SX Concept

The sexiest BMW concept I've ever seen!!!

[DCG]

Other cool BMW conceptual designs.

[DCG]

BMW 865 CSi Concept

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by DCG

Other cool BMW conceptual designs.

\\



Thats hot.....definately see the 2 Series influence in this one

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by jpnh

\\



Thats hot.....definately see the 2 Series influence in this one

That's because it is basically an M2: See this thread.

REALLY gorgeous.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by F87LUV

I saw a Z4M coupe yesterday. I seriously love that car. Too bad the lower mileage ones were almost as much as my new M2. Enjoy! Someday, I'll add another Z coupe- obsessed. If BMW wants to make me a new updated one with some leftover parts, my money is theirs.

Maybe I should apply for the job. I'll make them all smaller, wider and faster.

I hope we do see another Z coupe someday. I've been thinking about picking up a used Z4 M Coupe, but my WRX broke down so I'll be looking for a new winter car instead.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Yay-Z

current bmw cars don't have a design problem. The current lineup has "fun to drive" problem

My M3 is more fun to drive than my S4.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by jpnh

No shortage of fun in my new 2 series

That's cause it's a little 2-series. Every other model has become too big, heavy, and numb; including the higher end ///M cars. Gone are the days when even an entry-level 3-series was a fun little car with a great feel for the road. Nowadays, lower-trim 3-series are made for the sole purpose of pushing volume, which explains why they drive like Toyotas.

[123sub]

Originally Posted by ///M1990

This is the first step for BWM to start producing "The ultimate driving machine" again

Back to hydraulic steering then...

[c63er]

Originally Posted by jpnh

\\



Thats hot.....definately see the 2 Series influence in this one

Ironically that was made under Habib

[N & M]

BMW needs a new fresh design direction. They need a little flair back in their now too familiar and predictable lines.

This could be the catalyst of change that hopefully gives it that oh so needed push.

[N & M]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

Not better than the latest 5 series and touch screen + idrive...

I agree having gone from the A6 to the MB E to the BMW I have to say that they have a really solid interior quality and functional interface design. I only wish they had a bit more pep, flair and uniqueness to the design.

[KingFishy]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Point taken. Thing is, the competition is much larger, more numerous, and more distinctive than it was, say, in the Exx years. Most of BMW's competitors differentiate between models better in both the styling department and the materials department -- including M-B and Audi -- and that has slowly worn down the BMW brand in this day and age of individualist statements (multiple meanings to that term as it relates to consumer vehicles).

Point also taken. But the greatest successes each major German brand has had -- ones that would define the direction of each maker for years -- have been with a new model that no one else was really making. Examples:

Original 3 Series
VW Rabbit/GTi
Audi 5000 (until unintended acceleration)
Audi TT
Porsche Boxster
Porsche Panamera
BMW Z3
M-B W201 (Remember the 190E?) and C-Class W202
M-B M-Class (the original mass-produced (i.e., no Gelandewagen) German luxury SUV)

Beyond the Gran Coupe thang (which I personally feel is hogwash because it's marketed so badly), what has BMW truly innovated with since the Z3 -- which, I might add, is a huuuuge stretch to even cite since it was the third of the three German luxury roadster entries to make it to market?

Not to leave out the MB 500E.

[MalibuBimmer]

BMW needs a designer -- and management -- who are willing to make this:


Sadly, they are all terrified of any design that has any hint of individuality these days.