GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
7/5/10 2:38 p.m.

Anyone seen some of BMW's newer concepts? I've noticed some consistent themes:

  • Fenders you can tell are actually there
  • Angular, ultra-futuristic styling: What you expect a concept car to look like in 2010.
  • Lots of glass, a good thing to see in the "poor visibility feels safe" age of car design.
  • Designs that de-emphasize the car's tallness: If shorter cars aren't an option, that's the next best thing.

Check these out:

http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/08/29/bmw-vision-efficientdynamics-photo-gallery/

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/07/bmw-drops-first-official-photo-of.html

It shows at least a nice attempt to radically depart from the big fat Bangle-turds of the last decade or so.

friedgreencorrado
friedgreencorrado SuperDork
7/5/10 3:33 p.m.

Now all they gotta do is fix the "kidneys". When they spread em that wide, all I can think of is Pontiac.


They're supposed to look like this:

DILYSI Dave
DILYSI Dave SuperDork
7/5/10 4:09 p.m.

The first one fixes one of my chief complaints - retarded headlights on BMW made since 2002.

The second one makes them worse, by stretching them all the way to the rear view mirror.

Hey designers - Cars are supposed to have 6 basic sides. The headlights are only supposed to occupy one of those sides.

Appleseed
Appleseed SuperDork
7/5/10 6:34 p.m.

I remember those cars when they were in "Demolition Man."

Still 1000% better than Bangle.

Toyman01
Toyman01 GRM+ Memberand Dork
7/5/10 6:56 p.m.

Looks a lot like this to me, but Chevy did it better. Those grills just don't work.

grimmelshanks
grimmelshanks Reader
7/5/10 7:21 p.m.

when bmw starts reproducing 02's, i will be happy. berkeley fuel injection lol

mattmacklind
mattmacklind SuperDork
7/5/10 7:41 p.m.
friedgreencorrado wrote: Now all they gotta do is fix the "kidneys". When they spread em that wide, all I can think of is Pontiac.

I've thought BMW's and Pontiacs have looked alike for a few years now-really made BMW's look down market.

Tommy Suddard
Tommy Suddard GRM+ Memberand SonDork
7/5/10 10:08 p.m.
DILYSI Dave wrote: Hey designers - Cars are supposed to have 6 basic sides. The headlights are only supposed to occupy one of those sides.

They do that so the headlights can be side marker lights too, that way they don't have to have separate side lights. They do the same thing with taillights.

(Sorry if you knew this and were kidding or something.)

dj06482
dj06482 GRM+ Memberand Reader
7/5/10 10:35 p.m.

I might be the only person in the world to say this, but in hindsight I like a lot of Chris Bangle's designs. What's even more interesting is how many other car companies are copying his signature items. I think he was guilty of being a bit before his time, but I can say I enjoy his work.

NYG95GA
NYG95GA SuperDork
7/6/10 1:14 a.m.

I must be the only one that thinks it looks 'gaudy' .

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand Dork
7/6/10 1:16 a.m.

Nope, you're not the only one

DILYSI Dave
DILYSI Dave SuperDork
7/6/10 6:07 a.m.
Tommy Suddard wrote:
DILYSI Dave wrote: Hey designers - Cars are supposed to have 6 basic sides. The headlights are only supposed to occupy one of those sides.
They do that so the headlights can be side marker lights too, that way they don't have to have separate side lights. They do the same thing with taillights. (Sorry if you knew this and were kidding or something.)

If it spills over a little into side markers, that's OK.

This, on the other hand, is not -

And the winner, with a headlight that is longer than the fender -

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
7/6/10 7:12 a.m.
NYG95GA wrote: I must be the only one that thinks it looks 'gaudy' .

I think the grills on the Vision concept look really over the top - you couldn't get away with blue backlighting like that on a gaming PC. But they're my only complaint. Make them smaller and more angular and get rid of the lights and it'll be perfect.

poopshovel
poopshovel SuperDork
7/6/10 9:07 a.m.
DILYSI Dave wrote: The first one fixes one of my chief complaints - retarded headlights on BMW made since 2002. The second one makes them worse, by stretching them all the way to the rear view mirror. Hey designers - Cars are supposed to have 6 basic sides. The headlights are only supposed to occupy one of those sides.

Funny how often we agree on design-related stuff.

Jay
Jay Dork
7/6/10 9:18 a.m.
DILYSI Dave wrote: If it spills over a little into side markers, that's OK. This, on the other hand, is not - ...

What about this?

DILYSI Dave
DILYSI Dave SuperDork
7/6/10 9:47 a.m.
Jay wrote:
DILYSI Dave wrote: If it spills over a little into side markers, that's OK. This, on the other hand, is not - ...
What about this?

Too much. Had the headlight stopped where the yellow stops, it would be just right.

While I'm critiquing, the line coming off of the top of the front wheel well doesn't work for me. The only car to ever pull that off was the '69 Camaro. On this car, the scoop should have started in the door.

GI_Drewsifer
GI_Drewsifer Reader
7/6/10 10:33 a.m.
DILYSI Dave wrote:
Jay wrote:
DILYSI Dave wrote: If it spills over a little into side markers, that's OK. This, on the other hand, is not - ...
What about this?
Too much. Had the headlight stopped where the yellow stops, it would be just right. While I'm critiquing, the line coming off of the top of the front wheel well doesn't work for me. The only car to ever pull that off was the '69 Camaro. On this car, the scoop should have started in the door.

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It just wants your love.

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