Currently reading: BMW to 'consolidate' its designs
New design boss wants BMW's to look more subtle than cars from the Chris Bangle era

BMW’s design language is “consolidating” and becoming “more harmonious” to cater for disparate global tastes, according to design director Adrian van Hooydonk.

Speaking at the unveiling of the new Gran Coupé concept at the recent Beijing motor show, van Hooydonk said, “Consolidation is good for the brand because it gives a clearer image of what BMW is.”

See pics of the BMW Concept Gran Coupe here

The latest 5-series saloon and the Gran Coupé were both examples of this, he added.

Both cars display a “more subtle use of the concave and convex”, in contrast to the more disparate BMW styles developed during the tenure of his predecessor, Chris Bangle.

Richard Bremner

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Mr£4worth 11 May 2010

Re: BMW to 'consolidate' its designs

sportwagon wrote:

I seem to be in the minority when I say that I like the designs of Chris Bangle. I believe he is about the only designer who has been able to translate the ideas of contemporary design to produce modern and adventurous looking cars where those ideas really work.

I think Bangle had a few superb designs, and they way many other cars ape his style suggests other designers like his style too. I've had 2 Bangled cars, but perhaps the best was the Fiat Coupe? I think we need brave designs, I think latest Avensis looks dreadful, but at least it doesn't look like a Vauxhall, Ford, Citroen, VW or Audi....Toyota were brave enough to serve up something unique. Or maybe I am missing something and we want all cars to look the same?

david RS 10 May 2010

Re: BMW to 'consolidate' its designs

“Consolidation is good for the brand because it gives a clearer image of what BMW is.”

Especially by making FWD.

Hollow speech...

bigsipt 10 May 2010

Re: BMW to 'consolidate' its designs

Brava wrote:
M-cars don't have run flats.

All except the X5 M & X6 M