BMW’s Bold Design Move Explained

Domagoj Dukec could not be the Head of Design over at BMW. Self-described as “an emotional rationalist,” he’s now in command of design over at Rolls-Royce. However his choices and directives proceed to form notion of the BMW model as we speak. That gained’t cease anytime quickly, both. Primarily as a result of in 2020, when the Neue Klasse began to take form, Domagoj Dukec was the person in cost. Whereas not the one who penned it — that honor goes to Anders Thøgersen — it was Dukec on the helm and Dukec that selected the maybe unorthodox option to debut a Neue Klasse idea/imaginative and prescient automotive as a sedan. In spite of everything, everybody is aware of SUVs are what’s in proper now. In Steve Saxty’s glorious e book BMW by Design, we eventually get a glimpse at what steered Dukec towards the Neue Klasse we’ll get to know in 2026.

Why Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse Debuted As a Sedan

“The sedan silhouette is an emblem for BMW,” Dukec begins. “It one way or the other connects with those that say ‘We thought this wouldn’t exist anymore, as a result of automobiles have to vary. They informed us electrification and effectivity means all the things will appear to be a bar of cleaning soap,’” he continues. Which is an effective callback to the origins of the Neue Klasse identify. In spite of everything, the automotive that arguably birthed BMW as we all know it as we speak additionally featured an understated, however sporty and aerodynamic, look. “We wish to present…{that a} fashionable automotive could be extra environment friendly and possibly relay one thing from the ‘60s or ‘70s,” Dukec says. And in that respect, we predict it’s truthful to name the Neue Klasse a design success.

On Kind and Perform

In fact, BMW arguably might’ve achieved one thing comparable with an SUV. However Domagoj Dukec is satisfied that the sedan design was integral to showcase the brand new design language. “The sporty, elegant, three-box sedan is one way or the other the important thing, the core thought of BMW.” For purchasers involved with the lightning-fast change rocking the automotive business, Dukec thought it was essential to display that “some issues won’t ever change.” He acknowledges that the Neue Klasse’s three-box format isn’t actually essentially the most aerodynamic. However he’s okay with that.

“Aerodynamics dictates a roof form that’s extra fluid,” Dukec begins, saying that designing Neue Klasse as a traditional sedan was fairly difficult. “Subsequently, everybody within the business goes for a extra aero, fluid type that appears tremendous aerodynamic.” Look no additional than the Mannequin 3 and even the brand new C-Class for an instance. “In fact, it’s extra aerodynamic,” he says, “however we wish to be a special face within the crowd. To do this, you need to make one thing that stands out, or it is going to be simply one other one which’s been executed ten occasions.”

Straight From the Supply

We predict the Neue Klasse is an effective search for the model. At the very least a part of that will come from the influences the automotive’s designer, Anders Thøgersen drew on. “It wasn’t about muscular surfacing, however extra just like the 2002, E30, and E36 that have been pushed extra by their geometry and stance than their surfacing,” he says. We predict that’s a reasonably correct abstract of what we like about Neue Klasse. Maybe it’s one of the best ways to make sure Neue Klasse joins the pantheon of iconic BMW designs.

Quotes have been borrowed straight from Steve Saxty’s BMW by Design e book, simply one in every of many glorious BMW books Saxty’s penned. Get the complete scoop — full with sketches, early renders, and photos — by choosing up a replica your self.