23 Votes
Boost it!
Agent001 submitted on 1/13/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:26:47 AM
31 user comments | Category: Spy News | Source: www.autospies.com
If you were to ask me my favorite thing about the Detroit Auto Show, it wouldn't be the show, the parties or even the Auto Spies groupies and models fighting for our attention. My answer would be the Spies tradition of noshing with two of our favorite car designers at the Ritz-Carlton, BMW's Chris Bangle and Adrian Von Hooydonk. Both of them are not only a real asset to BMW, but they are the indisputable kingpins and envy of EVERY other car designer in the business. We even found out this year that Chris is an artist outside of his job at BMW and just as creative in that endeavor. He had his own gallery show in Munich recently with people bidding large sums of money for his work. We all read the rumors about who runs the design show at BMW but the Spies can tell you it is truly a team effort and all of the team has trememdous respect for one another. A perfect example came when I asked Adrian who designed the new 3-Series convertible. Without hesitation, he credited his teammates and gave the ultimate credit to Chris. So this beautiful piece of art is a definitely a 'Bangle'. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding his designs in the past, but no one can dispute this is one gorgeous new ride. Great job Chris, Adrian and team! And thank you for taking the time to be part of our favorite tradition at the Detroit Auto Show. Full Detroit Auto Show gallery (Click the link below) Detroit Auto Show Photo Gallery AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries This year's 2007 North American International Auto Show photo gallery is sponsored by Lexus.
FWD Torque Steer. Absolute proof the Devil exists. — Agent001 (View Profile)
FWD Torque Steer. Absolute proof the Devil exists.
— Agent001 (View Profile)
Ha, did any1 say bangle doesnt know how to design? Or that he should b fired? Well look !! He designed the best looking car at the bmw line up!! Bangel rox!!! — M53R (View Profile)
Ha, did any1 say bangle doesnt know how to design? Or that he should b fired? Well look !! He designed the best looking car at the bmw line up!! Bangel rox!!!
— M53R (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 2:38:59 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7
I guest Lexus should hire him to design their F**ked up line. F**ked up= F.— silverarrow2 (View Profile)
I guest Lexus should hire him to design their F**ked up line. F**ked up= F.
— silverarrow2 (View Profile)
Posted on 1/14/2007 11:15:25 AM | | Votes: 3
Thanks Agent 001 - great article. BMW really has pushed car design forward and while opinions may differ more now than before, it has definitely pushed the BMW brand forward in a industry of followers.— SixxFive (View Profile)
Thanks Agent 001 - great article. BMW really has pushed car design forward and while opinions may differ more now than before, it has definitely pushed the BMW brand forward in a industry of followers.
— SixxFive (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 2:53:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7
If I were in Chris Bangle's shoes, I'd be on the "see I told you so" note right now. His name is currently bigger than any other automotive designer in the industry, and his designs are currently the most copied. An Aston Martin may be the most appealing car to look at on the road, but a BMW is by far the most interesting to look at.While I will say he screwed up on the 745li, Z4 roadster, 5-series, X3 & the taillights on the 3er sedan...I still feel his designs are the most interesting to look at, an interest in which will last as long as you own the vehicle.— MunichRob (View Profile)
If I were in Chris Bangle's shoes, I'd be on the "see I told you so" note right now. His name is currently bigger than any other automotive designer in the industry, and his designs are currently the most copied. An Aston Martin may be the most appealing car to look at on the road, but a BMW is by far the most interesting to look at.While I will say he screwed up on the 745li, Z4 roadster, 5-series, X3 & the taillights on the 3er sedan...I still feel his designs are the most interesting to look at, an interest in which will last as long as you own the vehicle.
— MunichRob (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 3:38:28 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6
Insomuch as this car looks 90% like an e46 they have done a good job. All they did was freshen it up.Make no mistake, this team was probably bummed that they can't be slicing and dicing up lines and mixing up shapes at random as they did a few years ago.Henrik Fisker's (Z8 designer, now at Aston Martin) cat makes better lines in his litterbox sand than the whole of BMW's current design team.But these new 3's are OK despite it.— t_bone (View Profile)
Insomuch as this car looks 90% like an e46 they have done a good job. All they did was freshen it up.Make no mistake, this team was probably bummed that they can't be slicing and dicing up lines and mixing up shapes at random as they did a few years ago.Henrik Fisker's (Z8 designer, now at Aston Martin) cat makes better lines in his litterbox sand than the whole of BMW's current design team.But these new 3's are OK despite it.
— t_bone (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 9:00:35 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1
Well now let's hope he can fix the sedan's quirks! Great job on the 3 cabrio. Who did the new X5?BTW, I'm going to the BMW dealer today. I'll let you know what happens.— mstangpny07 (View Profile)
Well now let's hope he can fix the sedan's quirks! Great job on the 3 cabrio. Who did the new X5?BTW, I'm going to the BMW dealer today. I'll let you know what happens.
— mstangpny07 (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 9:30:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2
I'm pretty sure van Hooydonk penned the X5- he has been know to design the more straight-laced models (not as curved), such as the X3, 6 Series and 7 Series. I like the 6, 7 and new X5, but the X3 is questionable.— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)
I'm pretty sure van Hooydonk penned the X5- he has been know to design the more straight-laced models (not as curved), such as the X3, 6 Series and 7 Series. I like the 6, 7 and new X5, but the X3 is questionable.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 10:53:37 AM | | Votes: 2
I agree on the X3, S4 - but I don't think either of us are the target market for that car. It's a shame they chose that market to target, but you also can't have it take away sales from their X5 line. I see a TON of X3's around the northeast, so they are definitely selling, but I also notice who is driving them, and who is driving the X5s and there are definitive patterns.Chip-— Agent004 (View Profile)
I agree on the X3, S4 - but I don't think either of us are the target market for that car. It's a shame they chose that market to target, but you also can't have it take away sales from their X5 line. I see a TON of X3's around the northeast, so they are definitely selling, but I also notice who is driving them, and who is driving the X5s and there are definitive patterns.Chip-
— Agent004 (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 2:32:40 PM | | Votes: 2
------------------UPDATE---------------I am on the list for a 2007 X5 3.0si, delivery April 2007.Silver/Black w/ premium pack, cold weather, technology, rear climate.The 2003 X5 will be gone next week. It was a great suv. :( But the new one is better! :)— mstangpny07 (View Profile)
------------------UPDATE---------------I am on the list for a 2007 X5 3.0si, delivery April 2007.Silver/Black w/ premium pack, cold weather, technology, rear climate.The 2003 X5 will be gone next week. It was a great suv. :( But the new one is better! :)
Posted on 1/13/2007 2:57:40 PM | | Votes: 3
mstang.. buy one.. they are great. the best, jerry, the best!— AmazingBimmer (View Profile)
mstang.. buy one.. they are great. the best, jerry, the best!
— AmazingBimmer (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 10:22:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3
99.9 % probability. It drives absolutley amazing! I joined X5world.com, which is a great BMW website. — mstangpny07 (View Profile)
99.9 % probability. It drives absolutley amazing! I joined X5world.com, which is a great BMW website.
Posted on 1/13/2007 10:49:43 AM | | Votes: 3
He already has one, you idiot- he's trading in an old X5!What stake do you have in BMW? You seem like a car salesman.— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)
He already has one, you idiot- he's trading in an old X5!What stake do you have in BMW? You seem like a car salesman.
Posted on 1/13/2007 10:54:08 AM | | Votes: 0
Guys, Adrian van Hooydonk is a chief designer of BMW Automobile branch, while Chris Bangle is a chief designer of entire BMW group ( = BMW Automobile, BMW M & Individual, BMW Motorcycles, MINI, Rolls-Royce). Also do not forget the role of BMW Automobile exterior design chief Boyke Boyer, and his mate responsible for the interiors: Michael Ninic. And chief designers do not pen the car's exteriors / interiors, but organize, lead & monitor the design process.The current BMWs were penned (initial sketches) by the following BMW designers:E65/6 7er - Adrian van Hooydonk (before he was promoted)E63/4 6er - Adrian van Hooydonk (before he was promoted); (interior by Dave Carp)E85/6 Z4 - Anders WarmingE83 X3 - Geoff VelascoE87 1er - Chris ChapmanE60/1 5er - Davide ArcangeliE90/1 3er sedan / touring - Joji Nagashima (interior by Matthias Hoffman - as well as E92/3)E92/3 3er coupe / cabrio - Marc Michael MarkefkaE70 X5 - Pierre Leclercq (interior by Oliver Heilmer) — TimE (View Profile)
Guys, Adrian van Hooydonk is a chief designer of BMW Automobile branch, while Chris Bangle is a chief designer of entire BMW group ( = BMW Automobile, BMW M & Individual, BMW Motorcycles, MINI, Rolls-Royce). Also do not forget the role of BMW Automobile exterior design chief Boyke Boyer, and his mate responsible for the interiors: Michael Ninic. And chief designers do not pen the car's exteriors / interiors, but organize, lead & monitor the design process.The current BMWs were penned (initial sketches) by the following BMW designers:E65/6 7er - Adrian van Hooydonk (before he was promoted)E63/4 6er - Adrian van Hooydonk (before he was promoted); (interior by Dave Carp)E85/6 Z4 - Anders WarmingE83 X3 - Geoff VelascoE87 1er - Chris ChapmanE60/1 5er - Davide ArcangeliE90/1 3er sedan / touring - Joji Nagashima (interior by Matthias Hoffman - as well as E92/3)E92/3 3er coupe / cabrio - Marc Michael MarkefkaE70 X5 - Pierre Leclercq (interior by Oliver Heilmer)
— TimE (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 12:44:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5
I know, van Hooydonk is known to have designed the more straight-laced models; the 6/7/X3. Bangle is for the more curvaceous cars.— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)
I know, van Hooydonk is known to have designed the more straight-laced models; the 6/7/X3. Bangle is for the more curvaceous cars.
Posted on 1/13/2007 3:25:37 PM | | Votes: 3
I´m sure most people admire what chris bangle has done in his career, but I still liked the "pre bangle" models a lot more though..the old E46 etc is still way better looking than any newer 3 series, its just too japanese mainstream looking for my taste. I dont want to join the bangle bash corps, its just a waste of time, cause no doubt he has been good for bmw financially wise.— alfistiDK (View Profile)
I´m sure most people admire what chris bangle has done in his career, but I still liked the "pre bangle" models a lot more though..the old E46 etc is still way better looking than any newer 3 series, its just too japanese mainstream looking for my taste. I dont want to join the bangle bash corps, its just a waste of time, cause no doubt he has been good for bmw financially wise.
— alfistiDK (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 3:51:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3
This Bangle jerkfest is disgusting.Do you really think if someone else designed for BMW, they wouldn't sell? The next BMW's could look like bananas and they'd still sell as long as the badge is still visible.If Chris Bangle worked for McDonald's, nobody would care whether he made art or not.I still see the "BMW's never wrong" supporters are still alive and kicking. Has not one of them asked why the newer BMW's have shyed away from Bangle's design if they're so successful (even the headlights have lost the dumb curves prevalent on the Z, 7 and 5 and X3)? Even the X5 doesn't have the curves. Except for the grill, the 3-series coupe could have come from any manufacturer if you take the emblem off.— huu76 (View Profile)
This Bangle jerkfest is disgusting.Do you really think if someone else designed for BMW, they wouldn't sell? The next BMW's could look like bananas and they'd still sell as long as the badge is still visible.If Chris Bangle worked for McDonald's, nobody would care whether he made art or not.I still see the "BMW's never wrong" supporters are still alive and kicking. Has not one of them asked why the newer BMW's have shyed away from Bangle's design if they're so successful (even the headlights have lost the dumb curves prevalent on the Z, 7 and 5 and X3)? Even the X5 doesn't have the curves. Except for the grill, the 3-series coupe could have come from any manufacturer if you take the emblem off.
— huu76 (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 5:50:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2
huu76,Take your pills.— Matthew1 (View Profile)
huu76,Take your pills.
— Matthew1 (View Profile)
Posted on 1/13/2007 10:22:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3
I love BMW's always have and I don't see anything to put me off yet. But recent designs have been more challenging, there are aspects of the cars styling I don't like, but typically it's just smaller details, rather than overall shapes etc.1 series tail lamps are too bland (people who have experienced owning a 2002 with circular tail-lamps should know what I mean with this)3 series saloon tail lamps are aweful.Chrome bits above the kidneys on 3er saloon and on the 6er look wrong and are unnecessary.5 & 6 series need more 'aggresive' chins.5er touring taillamps are rubbish, they spoil the whole car.7 series headlamps are terrible, they were better before he mid-term facelift!Z4 kidney grille and headlamps, but the shape of the car is fantastic.X3's hoffmeister kink is wrong somehow.If I were in charge of BMW styling these are the things I would change.FWIW, I think the current 5 in sport trim (or M5) is one of the best looking BMW's of all time. I really cannot see why it takes so much flack!— matt635 (View Profile)
I love BMW's always have and I don't see anything to put me off yet. But recent designs have been more challenging, there are aspects of the cars styling I don't like, but typically it's just smaller details, rather than overall shapes etc.1 series tail lamps are too bland (people who have experienced owning a 2002 with circular tail-lamps should know what I mean with this)3 series saloon tail lamps are aweful.Chrome bits above the kidneys on 3er saloon and on the 6er look wrong and are unnecessary.5 & 6 series need more 'aggresive' chins.5er touring taillamps are rubbish, they spoil the whole car.7 series headlamps are terrible, they were better before he mid-term facelift!Z4 kidney grille and headlamps, but the shape of the car is fantastic.X3's hoffmeister kink is wrong somehow.If I were in charge of BMW styling these are the things I would change.FWIW, I think the current 5 in sport trim (or M5) is one of the best looking BMW's of all time. I really cannot see why it takes so much flack!
— matt635 (View Profile)
Posted on 1/14/2007 1:50:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2
Well when I look at the snowplough front bumper on my E24 I can't help but miss that agressive shark nose. IMO the M6 looks how the standard 6 series should look, and for the M they could have, errrm, err... hmmm, put a wing on it?... hmm maybe you have a point!— matt635 (View Profile)
Well when I look at the snowplough front bumper on my E24 I can't help but miss that agressive shark nose. IMO the M6 looks how the standard 6 series should look, and for the M they could have, errrm, err... hmmm, put a wing on it?... hmm maybe you have a point!
Posted on 1/14/2007 4:32:58 PM | | Votes: 2
So then, since we are on the subject of BMW design, what do you thnk is the best looking of BMW's carsThe questions open to everyone, but flamers, please don't bother!Some of my favourites would have to be (in no particular order):E24 6 series (mid eighties with chrome wrap around bumpers - like mine :)), E38 7 series (in sport trim), E60 M5, Z8, E30 M3 (I think the Cecottos looked good), E31 8-series.E46 M3 GT-R (street legal version)E9 3.0CSL (with Wings)(and the BMW Brabham BT52 if that counts!)— matt635 (View Profile)
So then, since we are on the subject of BMW design, what do you thnk is the best looking of BMW's carsThe questions open to everyone, but flamers, please don't bother!Some of my favourites would have to be (in no particular order):E24 6 series (mid eighties with chrome wrap around bumpers - like mine :)), E38 7 series (in sport trim), E60 M5, Z8, E30 M3 (I think the Cecottos looked good), E31 8-series.E46 M3 GT-R (street legal version)E9 3.0CSL (with Wings)(and the BMW Brabham BT52 if that counts!)
Posted on 1/14/2007 4:37:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2
i love the 1994-2002 7 series (after the 1999 facelift), the Z8, the Z3, the 1993-2000 3er convertible, the 198?-1996 5er touring and the 80's 6 series.those would be my favorites. the Z3, while girly, does look good.— Rupert (View Profile)
i love the 1994-2002 7 series (after the 1999 facelift), the Z8, the Z3, the 1993-2000 3er convertible, the 198?-1996 5er touring and the 80's 6 series.those would be my favorites. the Z3, while girly, does look good.
— Rupert (View Profile)
Posted on 1/14/2007 5:17:17 PM | | Votes: 2
Some of my favorites:I agree with Rupert on the 740/750 facelift- one of the coolest-looking sedans ever. I feel like the current A8 is more like the previous 7 Series than the current model is, in its sleek-ness. I also liked the previous 5 Series facelift a lot; just a mini-7. I loved the Z8; there's a silver Z8 Alpina in my area that I see occasionally. I have not approved of any other "Z" model, however. The new 3 Series coupe is one of the most beautiful BMWs of the last decade, and the E46 M3 still looks good. There are plenty more- but not on the top of my head. — S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)
Some of my favorites:I agree with Rupert on the 740/750 facelift- one of the coolest-looking sedans ever. I feel like the current A8 is more like the previous 7 Series than the current model is, in its sleek-ness. I also liked the previous 5 Series facelift a lot; just a mini-7. I loved the Z8; there's a silver Z8 Alpina in my area that I see occasionally. I have not approved of any other "Z" model, however. The new 3 Series coupe is one of the most beautiful BMWs of the last decade, and the E46 M3 still looks good. There are plenty more- but not on the top of my head.
Posted on 1/14/2007 9:47:02 PM | | Votes: 2
It is interesting to see an American as BMW Chief of design. It is equally as interesting to see his Dutch protégé Adrian van Hooydonk designing for the German company. A few of the models (X5, Z4) are even built in South Carolina.Which gets me to my point and makes one wonder - How German is BMW anyway?— Loki123 (View Profile)
It is interesting to see an American as BMW Chief of design. It is equally as interesting to see his Dutch protégé Adrian van Hooydonk designing for the German company. A few of the models (X5, Z4) are even built in South Carolina.Which gets me to my point and makes one wonder - How German is BMW anyway?
— Loki123 (View Profile)
Posted on 1/15/2007 9:55:47 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1
"Try something new" is a pretty safe answer.For a company and a following that like to distance themselves from "all things American" - seems kind of funny to have an American calling the shots on what these "so-called" German cars will look like.— Loki123 (View Profile)
"Try something new" is a pretty safe answer.For a company and a following that like to distance themselves from "all things American" - seems kind of funny to have an American calling the shots on what these "so-called" German cars will look like.
Posted on 1/15/2007 10:33:01 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1
These companies have used foreign designers for ages, its not something new or special. — alfistiDK (View Profile)
These companies have used foreign designers for ages, its not something new or special.
Posted on 1/26/2007 3:42:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1
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