Chief BMW designer slams Newsweek journalist
BMW losing patience on 7-series criticism
Patience is starting to wear thin at BMW headquarters regarding criticism of the new 7-series...
Check out what Chris Bangle says to a Newsweek journalist in a recent article:
“I don’t mean to be arrogant about it, but what does a journalist know?” BMW chief designer Chris Bangle said to me.
Bangle was referring to the writers negative attitude toward iDrive.
Here are some highlights from the article:
Click here to read the entire articleTHE 7’S STEREO IS PART OF the high-tech iDrive system, an onboard computer displayed in the dash and operated by a fist-size mouse in the center armrest. But as much as I torqued and clicked that mouse, I just couldn’t dial in my favorite alternative-rock station. Deflated, I finally pulled over, hauled out the owner’s manual and spent 10 minutes decoding iDrive. If this is the future of driving, somebody direct me to the nearest exit.
Why am I dishing dirt on this dreamboat? Because with the new 7, BMW is letting technology run roughshod.
Rather than simplifying, BMW has complicated its Ultimate Driving Machine.
Perhaps the hardest part about driving the new BMW, besides affording it, is simply getting it started.
Word is that BMW is retooling iDrive so that version 2.0 coming in the next 5-series in 2005 will be much more user-friendly.
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