BMW’s Chris Bangle: goodbye or good riddance?

Written by admin on 05 February 2009

Former BMW head of design Chris Bangle

“Hip hip hooray!”

“There is a God!”

“This is the best news we have heard in a long time!”

Phew. Judging by the response from some of the blogs, BMW’s Chris Bangle won’t be getting many “sorry you’re leaving” cards.

Yes, the controversial former head of design at BMW has quit. The man responsible for a generation of radically-styled Beemers has decided to step down, leaving his ‘right-hand-man’ Adrian van Hooydonk to take over the reins.

But why such an outcry?

Many people were in uproar at the ‘butchering’ of BMW design, but few actually realise Bangle was in charge of BMW design from 1992 – meaning all the ‘classic’ Beemers of the 90s were designed under his influence.

Then, at the turn of the century, he decided to take BMW in a new direction, introducing his (in)famous ‘flame surfacing’ styling.

We can’t understand the fuss – we love the Z4, with its sharp lines and squat stance, while the fifth generation BMW 5 Series still looks fresh today. Granted, the BMW 6 Series and BMW 7 Series look ‘challenging’, but by no means are they ugly. And don’t forget, he was also responsible for the original ‘Chelsea Tractor’, the X5.

Anyone hoping van Hooydonk will take BMW in a new dirction is in for a disappointment. The pair have been working together for years, and Bangle noted his successor will ‘continue’ in the same direction…

What do you think of Chris Bangle’s BMWs? Leave a comment below.