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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » Post-Bangle BMW: Me likey

July 5, 2010 2:38 p.m. GameboyRMH SuperDork
Anyone seen some of BMW's newer concepts? I've noticed some consistent themes:
- Fenders you can tell are actually there
- Angular, ultra-futuristic styling: What you expect a concept car to look like in 2010.
- Lots of glass, a good thing to see in the "poor visibility feels safe" age of car design.
- Designs that de-emphasize the car's tallness: If shorter cars aren't an option, that's the next best thing.
Check these out:

http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/08/29/bmw-vision-efficientdynamics-photo-gallery/

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/07/bmw-drops-first-official-photo-of.html

It shows at least a nice attempt to radically depart from the big fat Bangle-turds of the last decade or so.
July 5, 2010 3:33 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

Now all they gotta do is fix the "kidneys". When they spread em that wide, all I can think of is Pontiac.

They're supposed to look like this:
July 5, 2010 4:09 p.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

The first one fixes one of my chief complaints - retarded headlights on BMW made since 2002.

The second one makes them worse, by stretching them all the way to the rear view mirror.

Hey designers - Cars are supposed to have 6 basic sides. The headlights are only supposed to occupy one of those sides.
July 5, 2010 6:34 p.m. Appleseed SuperDork

I remember those cars when they were in "Demolition Man."

Still 1000% better than Bangle.
July 5, 2010 6:56 p.m. Toyman01 Dork

Looks a lot like this to me, but Chevy did it better. Those grills just don't work.
July 5, 2010 7:21 p.m. grimmelshanks Reader

when bmw starts reproducing 02's, i will be happy. berkeley fuel injection lol
July 5, 2010 7:41 p.m. mattmacklind SuperDork

friedgreencorrado wrote:

Now all they gotta do is fix the "kidneys". When they spread em that wide, all I can think of is Pontiac.

I've thought BMW's and Pontiacs have looked alike for a few years now-really made BMW's look down market.
July 5, 2010 10:08 p.m. Tommy Suddard SonDork

DILYSI Dave wrote:

Hey designers - Cars are supposed to have 6 basic sides. The headlights are only supposed to occupy one of those sides.

They do that so the headlights can be side marker lights too, that way they don't have to have separate side lights. They do the same thing with taillights.

(Sorry if you knew this and were kidding or something.)
July 5, 2010 10:35 p.m. dj06482 Reader

I might be the only person in the world to say this, but in hindsight I like a lot of Chris Bangle's designs. What's even more interesting is how many other car companies are copying his signature items. I think he was guilty of being a bit before his time, but I can say I enjoy his work.
July 6, 2010 1:14 a.m. NYG95GA SuperDork

I must be the only one that thinks it looks 'gaudy' .
July 6, 2010 1:16 a.m. EvanB Dork

Nope, you're not the only one
July 6, 2010 6:07 a.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

Tommy Suddard wrote:

DILYSI Dave wrote:

Hey designers - Cars are supposed to have 6 basic sides. The headlights are only supposed to occupy one of those sides.

They do that so the headlights can be side marker lights too, that way they don't have to have separate side lights. They do the same thing with taillights.

(Sorry if you knew this and were kidding or something.)

If it spills over a little into side markers, that's OK.

This, on the other hand, is not -

And the winner, with a headlight that is longer than the fender -
July 6, 2010 7:12 a.m. GameboyRMH SuperDork

NYG95GA wrote:

I must be the only one that thinks it looks 'gaudy' .

I think the grills on the Vision concept look really over the top - you couldn't get away with blue backlighting like that on a gaming PC. But they're my only complaint. Make them smaller and more angular and get rid of the lights and it'll be perfect.
July 6, 2010 9:07 a.m. poopshovel SuperDork

DILYSI Dave wrote:

The first one fixes one of my chief complaints - retarded headlights on BMW made since 2002.

The second one makes them worse, by stretching them all the way to the rear view mirror.

Hey designers - Cars are supposed to have 6 basic sides. The headlights are only supposed to occupy one of those sides.

Funny how often we agree on design-related stuff.
July 6, 2010 9:18 a.m. Jay Dork

DILYSI Dave wrote:

If it spills over a little into side markers, that's OK.

This, on the other hand, is not -

...

What about this?
July 6, 2010 9:47 a.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

Jay wrote:

DILYSI Dave wrote:

If it spills over a little into side markers, that's OK.

This, on the other hand, is not -

...

What about this?

Too much. Had the headlight stopped where the yellow stops, it would be just right.

While I'm critiquing, the line coming off of the top of the front wheel well doesn't work for me. The only car to ever pull that off was the '69 Camaro. On this car, the scoop should have started in the door.
July 6, 2010 10:33 a.m. GI_Drewsifer Reader

DILYSI Dave wrote:

Jay wrote:

DILYSI Dave wrote:

If it spills over a little into side markers, that's OK.

This, on the other hand, is not -

...

What about this?

Too much. Had the headlight stopped where the yellow stops, it would be just right.

While I'm critiquing, the line coming off of the top of the front wheel well doesn't work for me. The only car to ever pull that off was the '69 Camaro. On this car, the scoop should have started in the door.

How can you not love the Honda Beat?

It just wants your love.

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