Chris Bangle resigns from BMW
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From: California
Whether you hate or worship his work product while at bimmer, I think the important fact is that the BMW designers were quite competent before him. Their designs may have gotten a tad small, medium, and large (not that anyone else comes to mind with that problem
); but they were some of the best prior to Bangle.
If I were Lexus, I wouldn't be quite so happy with his departure. In this competitive market the last thing Lexus needs is for BMW to take what was good from the Bangle era and combine it with their inhouse talent going forward. Reliability gets you a long way and bimmer hasn't gotten to Lexus levels of reliability just as Lexus isn't close to bimmer in ride/handling.
Don't bother fawning over the IS-F. It is one very good model but a bimmer shopper gets a much better ride/handling balance across the board. And the special bimmers are very special in this regard. Not saying they don't have problems, every car maker does. But parting the ways with Bangle can be a positive. Everybody is going to need to do what they do very well going forward.
); but they were some of the best prior to Bangle. If I were Lexus, I wouldn't be quite so happy with his departure. In this competitive market the last thing Lexus needs is for BMW to take what was good from the Bangle era and combine it with their inhouse talent going forward. Reliability gets you a long way and bimmer hasn't gotten to Lexus levels of reliability just as Lexus isn't close to bimmer in ride/handling.
Don't bother fawning over the IS-F. It is one very good model but a bimmer shopper gets a much better ride/handling balance across the board. And the special bimmers are very special in this regard. Not saying they don't have problems, every car maker does. But parting the ways with Bangle can be a positive. Everybody is going to need to do what they do very well going forward.
Chris Bojangle redefined cutting edge at BMW. The vehicles, showrooms, factories, peformance center, are a testament of his contributions to the company.. When you step into a BMW show room it is like being at the Guggehiem museum here in NYC.. Very high tech art deco feel at the various BMW centers.. The same can be said of the cars in the Bangle era.. The dutchman has some huge shoes to fill..
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This is a big surprise. Regardless of opinions about his design language CB shook up auto-styling in a major way and should be credited with that achievement
I once spent an afternoon with him during a tour of my company. I found him such an approachable, nice and highly inspiring personality - quite the opposite of the "dangerous radical design revolutionary" image many have. He personally signed, dedicated, and even illustrated a book about BMW as a personal gift. I was very impressed with him at a personal level.
Chris
I once spent an afternoon with him during a tour of my company. I found him such an approachable, nice and highly inspiring personality - quite the opposite of the "dangerous radical design revolutionary" image many have. He personally signed, dedicated, and even illustrated a book about BMW as a personal gift. I was very impressed with him at a personal level.
Chris
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
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From: tech capital
That I will agree with.
He did his thing...brought something new to the understated BMW design theme of old and now it's time to move on.
Let's see who's next for Bangle.
If they were smart, GM would hire him. It would give them a bit of credibility. If nothing else it would cause some stir....and a lot of anticipation.
He did his thing...brought something new to the understated BMW design theme of old and now it's time to move on.
Let's see who's next for Bangle.
If they were smart, GM would hire him. It would give them a bit of credibility. If nothing else it would cause some stir....and a lot of anticipation.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: tech capital
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 715
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From: CA
He did a fine job not straying too far from the 3 series, although they have gotten a little too big. However, I don't like the current 3 series coupe.
Not a fan of the 5 or 7 series.
If i were to pick a BMW right now, it'd be the 135 or a Z4 M Coupe. I heard the Z4 coupes are being discontinued? Can you tell I like small, zippy cars?
Not a fan of the 5 or 7 series.
If i were to pick a BMW right now, it'd be the 135 or a Z4 M Coupe. I heard the Z4 coupes are being discontinued? Can you tell I like small, zippy cars?
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From: The Woodlands, TX
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
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From: tech capital
The 3-series sales numbers are impressive when compared to the competition. IMHO, I think the coupe is the most attractive version of the series.
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