[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Mani59

Of course he will defend his own work.

The last few and current designs have either been ugly or getting uglier in my opinion.

Time for him to move on...

It's very much down to personal taste, Hooydonk penned what was for me the ugliest BMW for a long time the E65, Hooydonk isn't penning these, for me the current LCI 7er is fantastic in the flesh and on the move, whereas the E65 was and still is goping to my eyes.

[cfm56d7b]

Anytime a design leader begins to defend design direction, this is just a confirmation that the design direction doesn't have enough subscribers and needs to be defended.

Only sales statistics (or lack thereof) will cause meaningful change ... after spending millions of Euros / Dollars first.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by Jockey

It's garbage. He should be embarrassed and I look forward to him being "asked to move on" when this design tanks the line.

The annoying part is when this car's polarizing design handicaps sales the propaganda will be that people don't buy coupes anymore.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by GMe90

BMW design has always been ahead of its time. People complain initially because the design is unfamiliar. But years down the road, the design becomes mainstream because everyone starts copying BMW. That's why the e60 still looks great today, more so than when it first came out.

Right, just like the BangleButt is totally mainstream now. I mean just look at the ... it's on the ... well of course all of the ... uh oh.

Design fail level:

[Io]

Has this chief designer heard about the Porsche 911? Keeping the same iconic (and beautiful) design for decades has turned it into a legend. One of the reasons I bought a M2 (and fitted it with M2C mirrors) is because it looks like a beautiful modern version of the M3 E36. But now BMW is trying to boost its sales by changing totally its design, and its latest productions are less and less BMWs (and more and more ugly) to my eyes. I already imagine how awful could be the G87 based on the look of the upcoming M4. Sure, it will be super fast. But I want my BMW to look like a BMW, bloody hell ! 🤬

[The Big O]

You guys that are hating on the grill are inward looking and reactive. How does styling move forward unless someone is brave enough to test new ideas above a hostile public opinion? If head designers were engaged in a popularity contest they would be sending out emails asking for our opinions on every little facet of design. That grill is long overdue. It is the single reason why I would put money down for that car. That grill represents all that is adventurous, mysterious, fascinating, emotional and down right in your face about BMW's design philosophy. Its a massive testament of bravery and uniqueness. It pushes boundaries. It obliterates convention. Afterall rules are meant to be broken people! Im so buying this car its not funny!

[TodmordenLad]

Design directors at this level tend to be highly intelligent, highly creative and highly articulate individuals. They have a gift for describing the motivation and intentions behind a particular design in attractive and seductive ways. Whatever the designers behind the front ends of the latest BMW models were 'trying to do', however, they have failed imo.
The front end of the current 4 is tasteful and proportionate. The front end of the new 4 Concept isn't. The oversized grilles on the X7, the 7 and to a lesser extent the 3, look almost childlike in their disproportionality.
Please, please don't ruin the current 5 with larger grilles on the LCI next year, they're big enough already.

[paddyrx8]

All this crying and whinging over the large grill. It looks great in the flesh on the new 7 series and transforms the car. The 4 series coupe looks awesome and you will all be buying one and saying "you know I was wring about the grill, I actually like it". BMW were becoming too bland and indistinguishable from Audi, Merc, even kia and Hyndai. I am glad they are doing something radical to separate them from the others.

[The Big O]

Originally Posted by paddyrx8

All this crying and whinging over the large grill. It looks great in the flesh on the new 7 series and transforms the car. The 4 series coupe looks awesome and you will all be buying one and saying "you know I was wring about the grill, I actually like it". BMW were becoming too bland and indistinguishable from Audi, Merc, even kia and Hyndai. I am glad they are doing something radical to separate them from the others.

Amen

[PKthePM]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...ling-direction

If you are not a psychologist, don't try to be one by fiddling with your best car designs and people's emotions.

[Chwali]

Change is good. Please BMW, change Mr van Hooydonk.

[velvet_F82]

Wirh every passing day, my M2C is looking more and more like that "forever" car. Go ahead, grille it up Hoy-donkey.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by The Big O

You guys that are hating on the grill are inward looking and reactive.

When BMW looks inward at sales numbers and "reacts" by releasing the G8x facelift 9 months after the G8x launch, think of all brave buyers who'll have the original "brave" design they can't sell to us reactives!

I'm sure Hooydonk's letter bodes well for resale value of the G8x launch design vehicles ...

[aajjcc]

I can't help notice how boring the 2020 3 series looks. Don't get me wrong.. it's a good looking car, but the front reminds me of a refreshed version of the F8x and should've been the LCI. After 5 years it feels too repetitive and safe of a move for the new G8x M3/M4. I don't know if the massive grill was the answer here, but it definitely stands out. Personally not a fan of the renders, but it could grow on me if I saw it in person.

[ellipsis212]

Originally Posted by paddyrx8

All this crying and whinging over the large grill. It looks great in the flesh on the new 7 series and transforms the car. The 4 series coupe looks awesome and you will all be buying one and saying "you know I was wring about the grill, I actually like it". BMW were becoming too bland and indistinguishable from Audi, Merc, even kia and Hyndai. I am glad they are doing something radical to separate them from the others.

Honestly, when I see the new 7 I say to myself "hey that's a really good looking car and OMFG WHY IS THE GRILL 40% BIGGER THAN IT SHOULD BE!?!"

[mfurse]

This editorial says it all...

[domino_z]

Bangle thought he was on a winner as well

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by ra2289

We don't want your kind 'round here. What with your measured restraint and...what is that...patience? Sprinkled with a little common sense?

You sir are outta order!

love it!

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by BwoodBMW

Yeah this is the first time I'm ever looking forward to the production version toning down elements of one of the concepts....

5-10% chance they save it with the production version. I'm hopeful they somehow pull it off. 90%+ chance BMW loses me for a generation (after now 14 consecutive years in nothing but BMWs)

Then watch, the F90 LCI will be rad and I'll end up just spending more to buy an M5... so I guess I'm the sucker.

I personally would LOVE to pick up the current M5comp. those things are beast! if you ever want to get dialed in with one, you know to shoot me a buzz ill get you set up.

[J-RO]

It takes a real man to admit that he is wrong.

[J-RO]

Originally Posted by Moflow

I just looked up the numbers out of curiosity.

Between the years of 2000 and 2007 Chrysler sold roughly 100K PT Cruisers every year.

I'm not ready to brand the ugly 4-series concept a failure.

It cost a lot less money.

[J-RO]

Originally Posted by KRS_SN

the more i see it the more i like it. i am a bmw fan and even if the grille were twice as big i would buy it.

Would you buy this?