BMW has received a lot of criticism in recent years because of some of his questionable design choices. It is not only the radical reinterpretations of the iconic kidney grille that generate criticism, but also characteristics such as split headlights and increasingly picky lines that contribute to a general busy design language. The internet often points to the XM as the worst offender.
The Neue Class, however, marks a turning point and softens things with smoother surfaces, proportional grilles and lamps from one piece. Nevertheless, cars such as the IX3 and i3 of next year were designed by the previous team led by Domagoj Dukec, which has since designed the future of Rolls-Royce.
Adrian van Hooydonk remains the Design Supremo of BMW Group and will supervise the work of Maximilian Missoni, responsible for the higher middle class and luxury BMWs, as well as the upcoming BMW Alpina models. The former design head of Polestar told it Coach He is not out to be a Chris Bangle 2.0: “Not at all. I hope there will be depth and quality in what I do. I am here to add more value than to provoke.”
Missoni’s influence on the BMW design will not be visible quickly. The more than forty new or updated models that will be on the market at the end of 2027 have long had green light. His first designs are expected after 2029 and he will write the models from the 5-series/X5 and higher. Smaller cars, from the 1-series to the 3-series/X3, will fall under former mini design boss Oliver Heilmer, who will also drive M-cars.
Photo by: BMW
Since the IX3 from 2027 introduces a completely new design language, it makes sense that Missoni does not want to make radical changes immediately. His goal? The former exterior designer of Volkswagen, who has worked on the Ultragladde XL1, strives for ‘purity’ instead of ‘minimalism’, with the latter often entails the negative connotation of ‘dissatisfied’.
Before Missoni BMWs will shape for the 2030s, extremely busy will be extremely busy in the coming years. Munich is planning to give almost all his models the Neue Class treatment, except models that approach the end of their life cycle. The Z4 and 8 series will be taken out of use in 2026 without direct replacement. Elsewhere, reports suggest that there will be no IX of the second generation, because it would overlap with the confirmed IX5. In the same way, the XM may not return because of the weak question.
On the other hand, BMW is said to be considering an intriguing addition: a tough SUV with three rows. Although he is reportedly not as hardcore as the Mercedes G-Class, it is expected to offer real off-road capacities. Expect to see it around 2029 with both plug-in hybrid and fully electric options.
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