![]() It was a tall order, since BMW was known for sporty driving machines, not an SUV that could do some off-roading. It is the automaker’s first SUV, and BMW wanted not just to build an epic, luxurious SUV, but also have it fit into the automaker’s lineup. ![]() ![]() Perhaps one of the most important designs released under Bangle’s lead was the BMW X5. There was nothing wrong with what BMW was doing at the time, but Bangle was ready to switch things up. Instead, it had evocative curves and in the back, a rear-end design that enthusiasts would later call the “Bangle Butt” when it reached production cars.Īs Top Gear writes, this car shocked purists, while others thought it was exactly as the brand needed. It wasn’t laid back, it wasn’t conservative. This car wasn’t anything like BMW had on the road at the time. Probably the most exciting element was the side vents.īut perhaps the Chris Bangle that enthusiasts know best appeared in 1999, when he penned the BMW Z9 Gran Turismo Concept. It maintained the classic roadster look with a long hood and short rear. The South Carolina-built roadster featured a restrained design. While some of the vehicles designed under his lead continued this trend, there are a few that stand out as completely changing the script.Īutocar notes that the first BMW designed under his leadership was the Joji Nagashima-styled Z3. BMWs were desirable and stately and didn’t have to be shouty about it. When Bangle took the lead in BMW design, the company was known for conservative, but still catching designs. In October 1992, Chris Bangle became BMW’s first American head of design. This is to say that Bangle banged out some bangers even before BMW. Fiatīangle is also credited for work on the design for what would become the wacky Alfa Romeo 145. Bangle’s work is on the exterior, while the famed design house worked in the interior. Yep, don’t let the Pininfarina badge mislead you. Of course, we aren’t here to talk about Smarts or Audis, but BMW.Ĭhris Bangle has his name on a number of cars throughout history and I think that Autocar nails it on the head when it calls his designs “ Never Dull.” Indeed, whether praise or disdain, his designs and cars designed under his lead certainly seem to invoke some kind of response from enthusiasts.īefore his BMW days, the Ohio-born Chris Bangle worked on interior design for Opel, on a replacement for the Panda for Fiat, and even the gorgeous Fiat Coupé. Give it modern lighting and Audi could probably release it today. The Freeman Thomas masterpiece that is the Audi TT is also a high watermark in my book. And sadly, as Smart changes its future towards electric SUVs, that fun design appears to be getting lost. ![]() It’s bold, it’s a bit silly, and it gets tons of attention. ![]() Designers at the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in California produced the second-generation Smart Fortwo, a car that specifically goes out of its way to highlight its safety structure as a contrasting design element. While I love all cars, my heart especially goes out to designs that try something different. Now, I am somewhat afraid to see how you’ll feel about my own sincere take. As it turns out, Hardigree didn’t have that hot of a take. James Garner was cooler than Steve McQueen ever was.” This resulted in a fun comment section full of stories and enthusiastic discussion. Instead, if you feel the need to cosplay as mid-century actor you should model your life after James Garner. On last week’s installment of Prove Me Wrong, our Matt Hardigree boldly proclaimed: “Steve McQueen looked cool but wasn’t actually cool and you shouldn’t pretend to be him. I’ll say it, that was BMW’s best era of design. The possible exception to this is how much I adore BMWs built under Chris Bangle’s reign as head of design. Truly, no car is truly a terrible car to me. If you’ve read my work for long enough, you know that I can find something that I love about every car on the planet. Now that I’m a BMW owner, I feel that it is time to unleash my deepest, darkest automotive hot take. ![]()
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