[Z1GZAG N]

In other hot Euro-designer news, reports are surfacing that soon after the Geneva motor show launch of the BMW 1 Series, Chris Bangle will move on after 11 years as BMW design maestro. But rather than leaving, Bangle reportedly will move up a spot to be in charge of design for all of BMW, Rolls-Royce and Mini. If that occurs, someone will be hired to take Bangle’s spot in BMW design, and many of the rustlings stem directly from the prospect of the choice BMW design post being available. So far, BMW declines comment.

From Autoweek.com

[Z1GZAG N]

In other hot Euro-designer news, reports are surfacing that soon after the Geneva motor show launch of the BMW 1 Series, Chris Bangle will move on after 11 years as BMW design maestro. But rather than leaving, Bangle reportedly will move up a spot to be in charge of design for all of BMW, Rolls-Royce and Mini. If that occurs, someone will be hired to take Bangle’s spot in BMW design, and many of the rustlings stem directly from the prospect of the choice BMW design post being available. So far, BMW declines comment.

From Autoweek.com

[bobbagum]

Quote: Originally Posted by Z1GZAG N

Word out today is that Bangle may be leaving BMW. Maybe he'll go over to Benz and screwup the looks of their cars!

Didn't Benz put him there in the first place?

[GMINI]

BMW is doing a really good job of looking like it's been taken over by an American car company.

[Dave]

BMW can let Bangle Mangle the Rolls - personally even if I had the money (which I don't) I would never want one - but PLEASE - leave the MINI alone!!!

Dave

[Paul]

Here you go......

Bangle Strengthens Design Teams of the BMW Group

[azimmerm]

"The BMW Group has reorganized its development departments as it focuses more strongly on its BMW and MINI brands and Rolls-Royce MC. In the course of this new orientation, Christopher Bangle, Director of BMW Group Design, has also aligned the design area towards the various business areas of the BMW Group. Individual design studios have been set up for BMW and MINI and Rolls-Royce as well as for BMW Motorrad and BMW M. These new studios will now accompany the entire development process for new models from the first sketches to the start of production. They will receive support from cross-brand specialist departments responsible for strategic and technical tasks, for example model technology.

The heads of departments responsible up to now for the design of MINI, Rolls-Royce MC, BMW Motorrad and BMW M will head the respective brand design studios: Gert Volker Hildebrand (MINI), Ian Cameron (Rolls-Royce MC), David Robb (BMW Motorrad) and Ulf Weidhase (BMW M and Individual). A new yet familiar member of the team of Group Design Director Christopher Bangle is Adrian van Hooydonk who will head the BMW automobile brand studio. Until now Van Hooydonk was president of DesignworksUSA, the Californian design studio of the BMW Group.

...Gert Volker Hildebrand, 50, has headed the MINI design team since 2000. Before this appointment he headed design teams at Volkswagen, Seat and Mitsubishi."

[SleeperService]

From what I hear, the look of the next iteration of the mini is already fixed, so no panicking, please... If you like this one, you'll like the next. And what's wrong with the 6 anyway? I'd buy one over a 7 or a 5 any day 8^)

[Wish I Had a MINI]

Oh crap........
But think possitive..... His last creations aren't bad at all are they????

[carpe_mcs85]

Ok first of all... Bangle is a very talented guy. He did well with the new BMW styling direction, even if it is hard to swallow initially. What ya gotta understand is that hes not going to make a mini that looks anything like the cars he designs for BMW. The styling he's brought to BMW is to serve BMW's purpose. Mini and Rolls have very different ones and as such will be their styling. I hate the 7 and 6 series but looove the 5. It's all just taste, no one is THAT amazing and no ones is going to be able to please a whole entire world of differing consumer tastes. Bangle = Great. Now if we could only nuke GM out of existance and save the poor brands theyre destroying (i.e saab)

Mini lovers...don't be afraid! it's going to be OK

[EBMCS03]

Quote: Originally Posted by carpe_mcs85

I hate the 7 and 6 series but looove the 5. It's all just taste, no one is THAT amazing and no ones is going to be able to please a whole entire world of differing consumer tastes. Bangle = Great.

No I dont totally agree with you. Especially the someting = something... I too dislike the 6 and 7 a lot but do like the new 5. but there are A LOT of people that dont like any of them and I dont blame them. I dont think bangle was the wisest choice. Before Bangle almost everyone loved BMWs whole line up. All their cars looked great. Bangles radical idea isnt a bad one it would work if they spent a bit more time fine tuning it. We'll see how it goes with the MINI I dont think they'll mess this one up but who knows...

[DaveN]

Didn't he do "Walk Like an Egytptian "as well?

[carpe_mcs85]

Quote: Originally Posted by EBMCS03

Before Bangle almost everyone loved BMWs whole line up. All their cars looked great. Bangles radical idea isnt a bad one it would work if they spent a bit more time fine tuning it. We'll see how it goes with the MINI I dont think they'll mess this one up but who knows...

True, everyone did love old bmw styling, as i did. But the whole lineup has looked the same for so long. Wasnt it time for a change? Change is never really welcome in the beginning :-\ Oh Well

soooon

[EBMCS03]

Quote: Originally Posted by carpe_mcs85

True, everyone did love old bmw styling, as i did. But the whole lineup has looked the same for so long. Wasnt it time for a change? Change is never really welcome in the beginning :-\ Oh Well

soooon

Oh ya it was time for a change... definetly... it was hitting 8 years old (the design.) but Bangle and BMW should have worked on it a bit more before releasing the hidious 7... 5 is better...

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I am sure that Chris Bangle's designs will be remembered for what they have brought to BMW. A radical step "forwards" with bold and imaginative ideas. I am sure that Harris Mann shared a lot of these ideals when he penned such sought after design classics as the Allegro (complete with"quartic" square steering wheel!), the Princess and the TR7.
Lets remember, that just because something is "new", "challenging" and "different", it doesn't stop it from being awful !

[zgokart]

Mr Panke, Chief Executive of BMW has finally acknowledged that the design of the BMW 7 series was a mistake. Seems like people aren't used to the i-drive feature, in addition to the car exterior design.

[Rich'sFroggy]

Chris MANGLE