Chief of Design Chris Bangle leaves BMW

atr_hugo · 02-03-2009, 09:22 AM

BMW Group's design head Chris Bangle is quitting "to pursue his own design-related endeavors beyond the auto industry," the German carmaker said Tuesday.

Adrian van Hooydonk, head of design for BMW brand, will succeed Bangle.

"Christopher Bangle has had a lasting impact on the identity of BMW Group's brands. His contribution to the company's success has been decisive," said Klaus Draeger, BMW's development chief in a statement.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090203/FREE/902039997

rubber_ducky · 02-03-2009, 09:26 AM

wow. didn't see that coming

esscolab · 02-03-2009, 09:26 AM

Can't say I was mad on his designs when at BMW. At least this may lead to a new design direction for BMW. Be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of years...

Saebb · 02-03-2009, 09:53 AM

Wow, thought that those news would lead to more (negative) reactions.

Robin_NL · 02-03-2009, 10:19 AM

So from now on a Dutchman will be in charge...kewl.

RMA · 02-03-2009, 10:33 AM

Is that good news or bad news? I personally never cared too much for the 5,6 or 7 series. Did he do the 1 and the 3 series also? Those I like

RMA · 02-03-2009, 10:34 AM

Dutchmen are the best musicians might as well give them a shot at designing as well

josephr25 · 02-03-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMA

Is that good news or bad news? I personally never cared too much for the 5,6 or 7 series. Did he do the 1 and the 3 series also? Those I like

I thought it was the "dutchman" who was designing everything and Bangle just releasing them.

RMA · 02-03-2009, 10:54 AM

I dont know

I am sure there is someone on this forum who would be able to answer who designed what thru which years, etc...

nmulax · 02-03-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMA

Is that good news or bad news? I personally never cared too much for the 5,6 or 7 series. Did he do the 1 and the 3 series also? Those I like

According to World Car Fans, he designed the Z3, Z4, Z8, X5, X6, 6 Series, and the 1 Series. He also headed the 3er, 5er and 7er.

Sure, not all his designs were hits right away, and some are polarizing - you either love them or hate them, but look around the industry. He's easily one of the most influential designers of this century.

RMA · 02-03-2009, 11:17 AM

So who actually designed the 3 series?

Robin_NL · 02-03-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMA

So who actually designed the 3 series?

I always thought Van Hooydonck did.

Zirenz2006 · 02-03-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmulax

According to World Car Fans, he designed the Z3, Z4, Z8, X5, X6, 6 Series, and the 1 Series. He also headed the 3er, 5er and 7er.

Sure, not all his designs were hits right away, and some are polarizing - you either love them or hate them, but look around the industry. He's easily one of the most influential designers of this century.

I agree he has been very influential. The copying of design cue's from BMW's by other manufacturers is very obvious.

raised trunk lid on current S class - very 6 & 7 series
raised trunk lid of Camry - see above
tail lights of Camry - 5 series Being behind a Camry from a distance has fooled me into thinking it was a 5 series.
I've seen the Hofmeister Kink copied numerous times in some fashion

I've always been a fan of Bangle. The trend setters always get shit on, then when others copy, suddenly that style looks good.

Robin_NL · 02-03-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

I agree he has been very influential. The copying of design cue's from BMW's by other manufacturers is very obvious.

raised trunk lid on current S class - very 6 & 7 series
raised trunk lid of Camry - see above
tail lights of Camry - 5 series Being behind a Camry from a distance has fooled me into thinking it was a 5 series.
I've seen the Hofmeister Kink copied numerous times in some fashion

I've always been a fan of Bangle. The trend setters always get shit on, then when others copy, suddenly that style looks good.

Exactly. Bangle is a designpioneer but never got the credits he deserved imo.

jeremyc74 · 02-03-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmulax

Sure, not all his designs were hits right away, and some are polarizing - you either love them or hate them, but look around the industry. He's easily one of the most influential designers of this century.

No doubt about that. I HATED the design of his 7 Series when it came out. I'm still not a huge fan, but it's infuenced nearly every luxury car maker on the world to some degree.

I wouldn't mind seeing BMW's styling philosophy take a step back though.

pseto · 02-03-2009, 12:04 PM

good news IMO, was never a fan of his 7 series or 5 series. i actually loved the 5 series until his re-design and vowed to never get one b/c of the bangle butt

golemite · 02-03-2009, 12:06 PM

BMW design boss Bangle quits auto industry

Paul McVeigh
Automotive News Europe
February 3, 2009 13:52 CET
UPDATED: 09/02/03 14:55 CET
image
ENLARGE
BMW's Chris Bangle (right) is leaving the auto industry. He will be succeeded by Adrian van Hooydonk (left).

MUNICH -- BMW Group's design head Chris Bangle is quitting "to pursue his own design-related endeavors beyond the auto industry," the German carmaker said Tuesday.

Adrian van Hooydonk, head of design for BMW brand, will succeed Bangle with immediate effect, BMW said.

"Christopher Bangle has had a lasting impact on the identity of BMW Group's brands. His contribution to the company's success has been decisive," said Klaus Draeger, BMW's development chief, in a statement.

America-born Bangle, 52, joined BMW in 1992 and modernized the conservative styling of the premium brand's cars. Bangle's distinctive themes of flame surfacing and pronounced trunk lids aroused strong opposition from many in the industry but the styling was a commercial success, helping BMW to overtake rival Mercedes-Benz as the global No. 1 premium brand by unit sales in 2006.

http://www.autonews.com/article/2009...902039987/1144

eclipsisNA · 02-03-2009, 12:09 PM

Kev · 02-03-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eclipse Motors

Don't celebrate yet. VanHooydonk is Bangle's protege and he designed the camel hump on the current 6 series.

Blip Bavarian · 02-03-2009, 12:16 PM

Wow. thats big news, it will be interesting to see what the new design direction for BMW will be.

mwarsh1 · 02-03-2009, 12:21 PM

There Is Alot More To Bmw Than 1 Man, But He Was Smart And Designed Some Nice Things.

fxhomie · 02-03-2009, 12:24 PM

Thank God...his design language sucks.

02-03-2009, 09:22 AM	#1
atr_hugo No longer moderate 335 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	Chief of Design Chris Bangle leaves BMW BMW Group's design head Chris Bangle is quitting "to pursue his own design-related endeavors beyond the auto industry," the German carmaker said Tuesday. Adrian van Hooydonk, head of design for BMW brand, will succeed Bangle. "Christopher Bangle has had a lasting impact on the identity of BMW Group's brands. His contribution to the company's success has been decisive," said Klaus Draeger, BMW's development chief in a statement. http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090203/FREE/902039997
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02-03-2009, 09:26 AM	#2
rubber_ducky Colonel 388 Rep 2,993 Posts Drives: roach coach Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: boston-ish iTrader: (21)	wow. didn't see that coming
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02-03-2009, 09:26 AM	#3
esscolab Brigadeer 76 Rep 728 Posts Drives: Black 135i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Colchester - UK iTrader: (0)	Can't say I was mad on his designs when at BMW. At least this may lead to a new design direction for BMW. Be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of years... __________________ Eibach Sports springs, Evole Remap, Quafe LSD, AR Downpipes, Forge FMIC, Hart'ge Quads, BMS Intake.
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02-03-2009, 09:53 AM	#4
Saebb Private First Class 6 Rep 125 Posts Drives: Unfortunately none Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bimmertown, Germany iTrader: (0)	Wow, thought that those news would lead to more (negative) reactions.
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02-03-2009, 10:19 AM	#5
Robin_NL S0THPAW 9022 Rep 7,867 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	So from now on a Dutchman will be in charge...kewl. __________________ 'I won't say anything 'cause no one listens to me anyway....I might as well be a Leonard Cohen record' -Neill
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02-03-2009, 10:33 AM	#6
RMA Major 42 Rep 1,015 Posts Drives: 2009 135i M sport coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tampa, Fl iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 135i M sport c ... [0.00]	Is that good news or bad news? I personally never cared too much for the 5,6 or 7 series. Did he do the 1 and the 3 series also? Those I like __________________
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02-03-2009, 10:34 AM	#7
RMA Major 42 Rep 1,015 Posts Drives: 2009 135i M sport coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tampa, Fl iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 135i M sport c ... [0.00]	Dutchmen are the best musicians might as well give them a shot at designing as well __________________
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02-03-2009, 10:54 AM	#9
RMA Major 42 Rep 1,015 Posts Drives: 2009 135i M sport coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tampa, Fl iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 135i M sport c ... [0.00]	I dont know I am sure there is someone on this forum who would be able to answer who designed what thru which years, etc... __________________
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02-03-2009, 11:17 AM	#11
RMA Major 42 Rep 1,015 Posts Drives: 2009 135i M sport coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tampa, Fl iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 135i M sport c ... [0.00]	So who actually designed the 3 series? __________________
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02-03-2009, 12:04 PM	#16
pseto Major General 863 Rep 7,752 Posts Drives: E92 M3 ZCP, F80 M3 ZCP- beater Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (4)	good news IMO, was never a fan of his 7 series or 5 series. i actually loved the 5 series until his re-design and vowed to never get one b/c of the bangle butt __________________ Paul Seto - BMW Car Club of America President, National Capital Chapter (MD/DC/NoVA) Director, National Events ///M Chapter Become a BMW CCA member; Click HERE to join and use my member #339225 for a referral Join our NCC Facebook Page
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02-03-2009, 12:06 PM	#17
golemite Sleeper 33 Rep 281 Posts Drives: B5 S4/E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles CA iTrader: (0)	Bangle quits auto industry! BMW design boss Bangle quits auto industry Paul McVeigh Automotive News Europe February 3, 2009 13:52 CET UPDATED: 09/02/03 14:55 CET image ENLARGE BMW's Chris Bangle (right) is leaving the auto industry. He will be succeeded by Adrian van Hooydonk (left). MUNICH -- BMW Group's design head Chris Bangle is quitting "to pursue his own design-related endeavors beyond the auto industry," the German carmaker said Tuesday. Adrian van Hooydonk, head of design for BMW brand, will succeed Bangle with immediate effect, BMW said. "Christopher Bangle has had a lasting impact on the identity of BMW Group's brands. His contribution to the company's success has been decisive," said Klaus Draeger, BMW's development chief, in a statement. America-born Bangle, 52, joined BMW in 1992 and modernized the conservative styling of the premium brand's cars. Bangle's distinctive themes of flame surfacing and pronounced trunk lids aroused strong opposition from many in the industry but the styling was a commercial success, helping BMW to overtake rival Mercedes-Benz as the global No. 1 premium brand by unit sales in 2006. http://www.autonews.com/article/2009...902039987/1144
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02-03-2009, 12:09 PM	#18
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02-03-2009, 12:16 PM	#20
Blip Bavarian salivator 38 Rep 537 Posts Drives: 16 GT4, 14 X5 V8 & 91 E30 LS1 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: El Paso, Texas iTrader: (0)	Wow. thats big news, it will be interesting to see what the new design direction for BMW will be.
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02-03-2009, 12:21 PM	#21
mwarsh1 Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 291 Posts Drives: 335i sedan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: roslyn ny iTrader: (1)	There Is Alot More To Bmw Than 1 Man, But He Was Smart And Designed Some Nice Things.
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02-03-2009, 12:24 PM	#22
fxhomie Mr. Bahnbnr 1 Rep 119 Posts Drives: Audi A4, BMW 330Ci Conv. ZHP Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fairfax, CA iTrader: (0)	Thank God...his design language sucks.
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