Detroit News Article on Bangle
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I'm always amazed that they get quotes from J Mays when analyzing Chris Bangle's work and in a number of publications I see the same thing - that J Mays, while "not a fan", at least acknowledges that Bangle's work has had a major impact on the industry. IMHO, based on the designs he has supervised and authorized, J Mays isn't fit to lace Chris' shoes let alone be in a position to critique his work. Aston (in particular) and Jaguar apart (both of which I think do have excellent design) - there's not a lot in the Ford portfolio that would lead Chris to be a "fan" of J Mays work either.....
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Originally Posted by swajames' post='244562' date='Feb 22 2006, 11:01 PM
I'm always amazed that they get quotes from J Mays when analyzing Chris Bangle's work and in a number of publications I see the same thing - that J Mays, while "not a fan", at least acknowledges that Bangle's work has had a major impact on the industry. IMHO, based on the designs he has supervised and authorized, J Mays isn't fit to lace Chris' shoes let alone be in a position to critique his work. Aston (in particular) and Jaguar apart (both of which I think do have excellent design) - there's not a lot in the Ford portfolio that would lead Chris to be a "fan" of J Mays work either.....
Or maybe the journalists just want to highlight their polar design languages - one looks foward, one looks backward.
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Originally Posted by jet190rs' post='244874' date='Feb 23 2006, 09:26 PM
Maybe they're rivals? Were roommates in college?? Brothers from a different father???
Or maybe the journalists just want to highlight their polar design languages - one looks foward, one looks backward.
Or maybe the journalists just want to highlight their polar design languages - one looks foward, one looks backward.
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I'll admit I was not a fan of the Bangle designs when they first appeared. I thought the 7er was downright ugly (I was less offended by the butt than most--I thought the front was horrible). Even today, despite the recent facelift, I still don't like the 7er styling. When it was time to replace my 740i, I wouldn't even consider buying the new 7er due to its styling (so I got an E55, but that's another story... ). The Z4, with its extreme "flame surfacing" was also a bit much for me at first (I thought the Z3 was beautiful).
I do agree that BMW needed to do something to move away from the "one sausage, three lengths" design paradigm (they're not the only company guilty of that--ever try to distinguish one Mercedes from another?).
I had a '96 525i and a '00 740i, and while I considered them classic designs for their time, when you compare the E60 to E39, for example, the E39 looks somewhat boring & conservative by comparison.
I do agree that BMW needed to do something to move away from the "one sausage, three lengths" design paradigm (they're not the only company guilty of that--ever try to distinguish one Mercedes from another?).
I had a '96 525i and a '00 740i, and while I considered them classic designs for their time, when you compare the E60 to E39, for example, the E39 looks somewhat boring & conservative by comparison.
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Personally I believe that Chris Bangle that has accomplished great things for BMW. The new design language works exceedingly well and leads the industry. MB is now following BMW's lead. Just look at the new S-Class. Is everything perfect? Maybe not, but that is the price for pushing the envelope. I admire his design work immensely and I will continue to buy BMW's.
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I read an interview with Bangle once, which convinced me he was onto something.
His argument was that, pretty much every BMW design for the last 20 years has been based on a pair of concentric tubes.
Essentially the top tube is the glazed bit of the car and the bottom bit is the doors etc...
His view was that car design had evolved with different fashions, always using this principle and that there were now not that many new places to go.
His options were either to look back and go retro (like jaguar with the s-class) or try a different approach which would be a starting point for a further 20 years of evolution. He chose the latter route with the 7 series and considers that the latest designs are a stepping stone away from the concentric cylinder approach to something new.
For me this makes sense of the 'bangle butt' and the fact that, at least at first, the front of most new BMW's seems to belong to a different car to the rear. The vertical sides and flame surfacing are also (apparently) a resistance to the 'cylinder' effect.
Don't know if this is artistic b*ll*cks or absolute genius - but it did help me understand what the hell BMW are up to.
His argument was that, pretty much every BMW design for the last 20 years has been based on a pair of concentric tubes.
Essentially the top tube is the glazed bit of the car and the bottom bit is the doors etc...
His view was that car design had evolved with different fashions, always using this principle and that there were now not that many new places to go.
His options were either to look back and go retro (like jaguar with the s-class) or try a different approach which would be a starting point for a further 20 years of evolution. He chose the latter route with the 7 series and considers that the latest designs are a stepping stone away from the concentric cylinder approach to something new.
For me this makes sense of the 'bangle butt' and the fact that, at least at first, the front of most new BMW's seems to belong to a different car to the rear. The vertical sides and flame surfacing are also (apparently) a resistance to the 'cylinder' effect.
Don't know if this is artistic b*ll*cks or absolute genius - but it did help me understand what the hell BMW are up to.
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I think the high, upright grill on the new 7 Series is done to meet pedestrian safety guidelines that request a higher front surface. I think Europe is introducing actual requirements in this regard before the U.S. Can anybody confirm just what those guidelines require? I think it looks bad.
And I just can't believe there are that many car-to-pedestrian impacts at speeds where these little changes will make any difference. I don't know the numbers, but I just can't imagine they are very high.
And I just can't believe there are that many car-to-pedestrian impacts at speeds where these little changes will make any difference. I don't know the numbers, but I just can't imagine they are very high.
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Originally Posted by subterFUSE' post='244161' date='Feb 22 2006, 10:36 AM
Personally, I don't understand the criticism of Bangle. I think his designs are wicked. I loved the 745 design from the first moment I laid eyes on it. I think the entire BMW product line has come along with excellent, innovative and fresh designs which set new standards that other car companies basically follow.
In fact, I prefer the look of the 745 to the newly redisigned 750. I thought the thin taillamps on the trunklid looked better than the newer, fatter ones.
In fact, I prefer the look of the 745 to the newly redisigned 750. I thought the thin taillamps on the trunklid looked better than the newer, fatter ones.
I could not agree more with the above statement.
Love Bangle designs. 745 looks much better than the refreshed 750. Future 7 looks like crap IMHO.
Long live Bangle
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Originally Posted by CVTBenhogan' post='251247' date='Mar 7 2006, 11:48 AM
I could not agree more with the above statement.
Love Bangle designs. 745 looks much better than the refreshed 750. Future 7 looks like crap IMHO.
Long live Bangle
Love Bangle designs. 745 looks much better than the refreshed 750. Future 7 looks like crap IMHO.
Long live Bangle
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