Official Release: No fewer than six BMW Group models have received the prestigious 2011 GOOD DESIGNTM Award: the BMW 6 Series Convertible, the BMW 6 Series Coupe, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, the BMW ActiveE, and the two motorcycle models BMW K 1600 GT/GTL along with the BMW G650 GS. The annual GOOD DESIGNTM Award ranks as the most celebrated international accolade in the field of product design – and this year once again it honours the outstanding quality of BMW Group Design.
The following is how BMW came to launching three optional design themes, or “worlds” and how they differ from each other. M Sport will launch later in July of 2012, adding a fourth “line”. In person it is easy to see the differences when the cars are side by side. The interiors are where things really become individualized. For example, the Modern Line offers a 3D poplar wood that is sustainably harvested and finished with a textured surface – something that hasn’t been done in a car of this class before.
The lines allow BMW to customize and offer trims that only Individual could have done in the past, purchasing power allows these to be a fraction of the cost Individual would be.
So let’s take a closer look at each line and the ideas behind them.
During the launch of the new 3 Series at the BMW Welt in Munich we had a few minutes with BMW’s Chief Designer, Adrian van Hooydonk. During our discussions he was very candid and expressed his feelings on the new car and where it fits in the lineup. He also touched on how the exterior design was influenced by regulations.
As BMW’s chief of design he signed off on the final version of the car but it is the board that must give the final approval. This all new car is viewed internally and by much of the media as an evolutionary change when compared to the exiting E90 platform.
Adrian happily explained the basic idea of the BMW sedan models and how they are all members of the BMW family and are easily recognizable as such. The 3,5, and 7 all feature BMW’s traditional twin kidney grills, the Hoffmeister kink and the creases on the hood that flow off of the Roundel. Each model uses these elements as individuals but all are “unmistakeable as BMW”.
We were in attendance during today’s unveiling of the BMWi i3 & i8 Concepts and are digesting all of the information we obtained. While we gain some composure and put pen to paper or more so in our case fingers to keys- enjoy the photos from the Frankfurt. (Full gallery after the break)
Official Release: BMW has scooped up no fewer than three of the coveted awards presented by the German Design Council in the Automotive Brand Contest, the new international brand and design competition launched this year. The winner of the “Architecture & Events” category was the SESTOSENSO light installation created in collaboration with FLOS and light designer Paul Cocksedge, while the BMW 328 Hommage won the “Concept & Study” category. The new BMW 6 Series Coupe also came away with a prize in the “Exterior” category. With these three accolades, the German Design Council pays tribute to the outstanding level of BMW Group design. The presentation ceremony will be held on 13 September 2011 as part of the Automotive Designers’ Night during the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA).
Official Release: To further take advantage of its understanding of Asia’s growing influence on design,BMW Group’s subsidiary DesignworksUSA, the California-based strategic design consultancy with studios in Los Angeles, Munich, and Singapore, will open a new studio in Shanghai in the second half of 2011. Since 2006, DesignworksUSA is successfully operating a design studio in Singapore providing full-service design solutions to its clients across Asia and globally.
Chris Bangle was a very polarizing head of design while at BMW. He brought significant change to automobile design while at the helm and helped shape many of the BMWs that are on the road today. Since his departure from BMW he has been a consultant and runs a vineyard in Italy. This video is interesting in many ways, most specifically his view is still inline with that of BMW in regards to super cars; granted he goes off the deep end a bit.
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.
We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: //1M\\, ActveE, Design, F12 6 Series Convertible, F13 6 Series Coupe, Motorrad, Official News Jan 20th, 2012 1 Comment 
