Proportion, Surfacing, and Detailing: The Essence of BMW Design
When it comes to BMW, there’s more than meets the eye. While some may perceive the German automaker as cold and clinical, automotive design engineer turned author Steve Saxty argues that there’s a story and even a touch of romance behind every detail. In his latest book, BMW by Design, Saxty delves into the brand’s design philosophy and highlights some of its most captivating features.
According to Saxty, it’s a misconception to think that a signature detail alone defines a brand’s identity. Car design is a complex interplay of factors, including proportions and cultural influences. For instance, Italian cars often feature an arrow-shaped front, while German brands like BMW have a square-jawed stance.
Surfacing is another crucial aspect of BMW’s design language. Saxty praises the brand’s innovative approaches, such as the “Flame” surfacing on the Z4 and the Zeppelin-inspired surfacing on the E60 5 Series. Tragically, the Italian designer behind the E60’s unique surfacing passed away, turning the car into a tribute to his vision.
But it’s the details that truly set BMW apart. Saxty emphasizes that BMW uses its design signatures sparingly, adapting and evolving them as necessary to maintain its stylistic avant-garde status. Take, for example, the iconic kidney grille. While many may comment on BMW’s massive grilles today, they were equally imposing on the brand’s cars in the early 1930s. The relationship between the grilles and the headlights is crucial in determining their overall style.
Another notable detail is the Sicke line, a crease in the metal that adds strength and precision to BMW’s taut body surfacing. It first appeared in the mid-1950s and became a unifying design feature during the 1970s and 1990s. In recent years, BMW has played around with the Sicke line, introducing more cars without it.
The Hofmeister kink, a distinctive upturned flick on the rear pillars of some BMWs, is perhaps the brand’s most recognizable detail. Named after a former BMW design manager, the Hofmeister kink made its debut in the early 1960s and has become synonymous with BMW’s design language. However, BMW doesn’t adhere rigidly to this detail, as the current 4 Series coupe doesn’t feature it.
The BMW roundel, the brand’s iconic badge, is a topic that can spark hours of conversation among BMW enthusiasts. While it’s typically applied to the center of the bonnet, there have been instances where it appeared on the rear pillar as well. Designers constantly debate whether to include the roundel, as BMW believes its cars should be recognizable even without badges.
L-shaped rear lights are another classic BMW design element. This feature emerged in the mid-1980s when an engineer insisted on widening the body of the “E32” 7 Series. To emphasize the increased width, designers added an integrated boot spoiler and L-shaped lights that turned up at the ends. This style continues to evolve, with recent concepts incorporating the rear lights into the rear spoiler.
BMW also has a legacy color that occasionally makes appearances in its lineup. The vibrant orange first appeared on the E25 Turbo gullwing show car in 1972. Inspired by safety colors and the fluorescent orange wingtips of the French air force flight trainers, this color caught the attention of BMW’s executive vice-president of sales at the time, Bob Lutz. It became a defining feature of the show car and put BMW on the map for style.
Moving beyond exterior design, BMW’s iDrive controller is worth mentioning. Although initially criticized, it quickly became regarded as the best of its kind. The iDrive controller’s roots can be traced back to the 1970s when BMW started prioritizing ergonomics. Last year’s Vision Neue Klasse concept took a leap forward by incorporating a full-width head-up display at the base of the windscreen, aligning with BMW’s “hands on the wheel, eyes on the road” philosophy.
Lastly, Saxty highlights a unique theme found in BMW’s M cars: the double motif. This design signature, featuring door mirrors with two arms and wheels with double spokes, originated from designer Marcus Syring’s realization that M cars were distinguished by double exhaust pipes. This clever inspiration led to the incorporation of the double theme throughout BMW’s lineup.
With his extensive research and access to BMW Design’s archive, Saxty provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of how past, present, and future BMWs are created. His book showcases never-before-seen images and reveals the thought processes behind BMW’s design choices.
In conclusion, BMW’s design philosophy goes far beyond surface-level aesthetics. Proportion, surfacing, and detailing are the pillars upon which BMW builds its iconic cars. By carefully considering these elements and incorporating unique design signatures, BMW creates vehicles that not only turn heads but also tell captivating stories.
