AutoWeek’s fast five: BMW design chief Chris Bangl - BMW Forum

Stacy540i · 10-09-2003, 08:03 AM

By AUTOWEEK

BMW DESIGN CHIEF CHRIS BANGLE splits opinion like no other. Immediately following the Frankfurt motor show premier of his latest work, the all-new 6 Series, the 46-year-old American and 10-year BMW veteran spoke with AutoWeek correspondent Richard Yarrow:

AW: Why do you think there’s criticism of your designs?

BANGLE: I think it’s much to do with the fact that we have these extremely provocative cars and that we were doing this at a time when the whole subject of change as reported in the media was not on the same wavelength as we were.

AW: Do you worry some of your designs haven’t been well received by the public?

BANGLE: We’re not creating fashion icons and it’s not an issue whether or not we have become everybody’s darling. It’s difficult for me to imagine, in the history of cars at a time of change, that we are doing anything different to anybody else. Many vehicles that we look at today with romanticism, when they came out they were very provocative. They invoked this love-hate relationship that’s assigned to us today.

AW: We’ve seen spy shots of the facelifted 7 Series already, which is earlier than normal. How does that make you feel?

BANGLE: We facelift all our cars. It’s part of the model cycle and it was always planned that way.

AW: Tell us about the cabrio version of 6 Series.

BANGLE: It will be at the Detroit show in January, but I’m not really supposed to talk about it yet. It will have a very interesting roof, great coupe-like lines, some unique features—which is important—and it’s basically very sexy.

AW: What is the future for BMW design?

BANGLE: We will continue to evolve our philosophy. We all believe cars are truly important in our lives and are solutions to problems, not problems that need solutions.

nosuchsol · 10-09-2003, 06:49 PM

He gets his point across... great cars aren't always going to be thought of that way until known. Confucious say man happy when drivey fivey.

L337E46 · 10-09-2003, 09:21 PM

LOL I saw another 5 series commercial yesterday.

It had something to the effect of:

"We didn't make it from an economy car, a wagon, or an SUV (that's what it sounded like but it's not exact). We built this car from scratch"

I think BMW is once again trying to reinvent itself so the general public can differentiate Bimmers from other cars produced from economy/non-luxury car platforms such as Lexus, Acura, Audi, and Infiniti. Then again that's just my opinion.

lwebb12 · 10-09-2003, 09:22 PM

hey John you should "Bangle" the bigger Bangle picture

i like the new 5-series commercial though

L337E46 · 10-09-2003, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lwebb12@Oct 9 2003, 08:02 PM
hey John you should "Bangle" the bigger Bangle picture

i like the new 5-series commercial though

here goes...

lwebb12 · 10-09-2003, 09:27 PM

ah ahahahahaha. excellent work my friend

Stacy540i · 10-10-2003, 05:19 AM

You all are crazy, I mean that in a hahaha way. The other night I was on here, looking thru all the post. I swear, I hadn't laff this hard in a long time. When I posted this article, I posted the pic hoping John would do the "You've been Bangled". Great web site, hopefully I have some pics up be next week of the 540i and a good avatar.

lwebb12 · 10-10-2003, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stacy540i@Oct 10 2003, 05:59 AM
You all are crazy, I mean that in a hahaha way. The other night I was on here, looking thru all the post. I swear, I hadn't laff this hard in a long time. When I posted this article, I posted the pic hoping John would do the "You've been Bangled". Great web site, hopefully I have some pics up be next week of the 540i and a good avatar.

we do our best to entertain. when i first joined i was the same way pretty much cracked up the whole time. things havent changed either