Whose Design Is KINK-ier? HOFMEISTER Or Van HOOYDONK?

For decades, BMW has used certain design characteristics to ensure that its vehicles stand apart from the others. Although you may say "nay," this is actually something that is formulaic to its automotive designs.

Take, for example, the Hofmeister Kink.

This little detail actually is a major defining characteristic of BMW vehicles. You can spot it a mile away and know instantly "That's a BMW." Well, at least you used to be able to do that.

The times are a changin', Spies!

Although the 8-Series coupe has been out for a bit of time now, the all-new 8-Series Gran Coupe is just starting to hit showrooms. And with it comes a much different C-Pillar than we're used to. That's because the legendary Hofmeister Kink has been displaced with something different. We're calling this evolution the van Hooydonk Kink.

While we cannot confirm it was his stroke of the pen that did this, he is currently overseeing BMW's designs.

That said, we've got to ask: WHICH design is kink-ier? The Hofmeister or van Hooydonk kink?

snowboard7 - 9/24/2019 11:55:44 PM

+3 Boost

Sorry but the new BMWS dont have anything representative to the older BMWs.. They are becoming a bit bland and asian in style with some of them becoming so bland that you cannot distinguish them... BMW is having an identitiy crisis... I use to own the E39 5 series and the E90 3 series and no longer like the way the newer BMW drive or look.

snowboard7 - 9/24/2019 11:57:23 PM

+2 Boost

TO be honest neither of those kinks change a thing with the BMW styling. Look at Mercedes and Audi for having better designs and more brand identity in terms of their styling.

dlin - 9/25/2019 8:50:59 AM

+6 Boost

Mercedes, Yes
Audi? give me a break

valhallakey - 9/25/2019 1:01:27 AM

+4 Boost

Some things are iconic and define the brand, the Hofmeister kink and the twin kidney grills have defined BMW styling for decades and let you know it is a BMW. Unfortunately the "Ultimate Driving Machine" which was also synonymous with BMW for a time has been somewhat lost. They are trying to make a car handle and ride for everyone with adjustable suspensions etc... and they seem to end up not doing either real good. Now they are going to abandon their iconic style markers as well. They are becoming Toyota, might as well let Toyota buy them out. Porsche almost went down that path, made a few small errors on the way like the scrambled eggs headlights of the early 2000s 911s but they were quick to recognize that certain styling touches define the 911 and the headlights are one of those.

MDarringer - 9/25/2019 8:17:01 AM

+2 Boost

BMW is in a styling crisis that mirrors its crisis in design. I wonder how long until Toyota swallows them whole.