Bangle urges auto design shakeup, says industry not innovating
08-30-13, 06:31 PM
#1
Bangle urges auto design shakeup, says industry not innovating
Bangle urges auto design shakeup, says industry not innovating
Controversial designer Chris Bangle, the man behind the notorious E65 BMW 7-Series "Bangle Butt," has some rather sharp criticism for the current crop of automotive designers in an upcoming full-length interview with Automotive News Europe. The preview, posted on Automotive News, details parts of the interview, with the always vocal Bangle lamenting the state of modern automotive design.
"Even concept cars today simply anticipate the next production model coming down the line. Is this innovation? No. And at the end of the day this is what's preventing car design from moving into a new era." Controversial as Bangle's design philosophy may be, we can't help but think he has a point. His so-called "flame surfacing" at BMW and other stylistic elements had a huge influence on modern automotive design, although as the years have passed, there hasn't been much innovation on the same scale.
Interestingly, Bangle also mentions that he's been courted by a few manufacturers that wanted to install the American as the head of their design teams. He's flatly rejected them, telling ANE, "It's not something you can do part time, you have to do it with all your heart and soul or you're going to get it wrong."
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/30/b...ot-innovating/
08-31-13, 11:40 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
I agree. When I watched the Jetsons as a kid it showed us flying in cars by 2010. Didnt happen.......weak...
I would agree that the concepts recently have been much closer to actual production units as opposed to the wild concepts that seemed more like pure design exercises . I think both are great but when you talk to a designer they are going to be a bit more critical. I like the ability to see more closely what's in the mail from each manufacturer.
I would agree that the concepts recently have been much closer to actual production units as opposed to the wild concepts that seemed more like pure design exercises . I think both are great but when you talk to a designer they are going to be a bit more critical. I like the ability to see more closely what's in the mail from each manufacturer.
08-31-13, 01:40 PM
#5
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I feel car design is progressing nicely right now. There's actually quite a bit difference in cars in the last 10 years. Not dramatic but a good pace IMO. I think automakers are doing what customers want when it comes to laying real money down on a purchase. Lately, Nissan has experimented the most, but such cars aren't real sellers. Juke, Cube, Leaf, ect. are all pretty wild designs. Selling OK (leaf selling really slow more because it's electric) but would never be mainstream. Nissan is smart enough to design the Altima, Sentra, ect. on the side of conservatively to sell. Automakers survive building mainstream autos. Simple fact.
Not a fan of Bangle. IMO, most of his work wasn't that good. BMW got way better looking when he left head of design. In fact, the Bangle era was BMW's worse. Why would other automakers be asking for him?
And are we talking more fundamental design changes? Because such changes generally mean sacrificing practicality such as space and function. For example, in the mid-size sedan segment the Camry and Accord have the biggest and best back seats in the segment with the easiest access. That's because they have decided against sloping roof lines that everyone has gone to. Lots of people want this type of usefulness which is yet another reason tons of these two models sell. As nice and sleek as the Fusion, for example, looks, rear seat comfort and access is compromised.
Not a fan of Bangle. IMO, most of his work wasn't that good. BMW got way better looking when he left head of design. In fact, the Bangle era was BMW's worse. Why would other automakers be asking for him?
And are we talking more fundamental design changes? Because such changes generally mean sacrificing practicality such as space and function. For example, in the mid-size sedan segment the Camry and Accord have the biggest and best back seats in the segment with the easiest access. That's because they have decided against sloping roof lines that everyone has gone to. Lots of people want this type of usefulness which is yet another reason tons of these two models sell. As nice and sleek as the Fusion, for example, looks, rear seat comfort and access is compromised.
08-31-13, 02:11 PM
#6
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08-31-13, 02:30 PM
#8
Coming from the guy who made the worst looking BMW ever to this day! Design moves at a certain pace for a reason. It changes slowly with the people who buy them. It may take 10-15 years before an actual model will changes its design language completely. Plus most manufactures are not willing to risk alienating a particular design vs. bringing in that beloved cash buy selling their mainstream bread-n-butters. Slow and steady is the safest route to take.
Last edited by Slvr surfr; 09-03-13 at 01:06 PM.
08-31-13, 08:52 PM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Coming from the guy who made the worst looking BMW ever to this day! Design moves at a certain pace for a reason. It changes slowly with the people who buy them. It may take 10-15 years before an actual model will changes its design language completely. Plus most manufactures are not willing to risk alienating a particular design vs. bringing in that beloved cash buy selling there mainstream bread-n-butters. Slow and steady is the safest route to take.
His redesigned 7-Series was a massive sales success, and I'm not sure how the numbers compare to the current generation--but the E65 was the best selling 7-Series BMW built.
08-31-13, 09:03 PM
#13
Pole Position
Bangle took what until then had been bland and safe BMW design to a whole new level. To do that at a company as conservative as BMW took some *****, and Chris had by far the biggest pair in the business.
Some also seem to forget that the E65 7 Series, with the supposed "Bangle Butt" was actually designed by Van Hooydonk when he worked for Bangle. Still, the vision and direction was all Bangles.
For me, the industry is a lot poorer without him. Most modern car design is bland, boring and beige. Bangle had the ***** to break the mould.
Some also seem to forget that the E65 7 Series, with the supposed "Bangle Butt" was actually designed by Van Hooydonk when he worked for Bangle. Still, the vision and direction was all Bangles.
For me, the industry is a lot poorer without him. Most modern car design is bland, boring and beige. Bangle had the ***** to break the mould.
09-02-13, 11:25 AM
#15
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