E46, Where is my 325Ci!!?? The 3 series that forever changed my perspective on BMW and made me trade my then W203 C180 K for my first Beemer...never looked back baby
That looks horrid! Well, at least the headlights do. Thankfully it will probably not look like that as they are likely still designing it. The design process wouldn't be frozen as of today or even next month would it? From what I remember the F01/F02 had its design selected only 2 years and 6-8 months(in 2006) prior to production in 2008, and since we are only 3 years from June/July 2015 it seems a little too early to know. Rarely does BMW have their design process frozen 3 years prior to production, so I'll just take this with a grain of salt. I'm sure if I show this to my mother and it turned out to be the real deal, she'll likely stick with the facelift model that she plans to replace her '11 model with in December. Otherwise, I'd say this is an excellent render and looks like a genuine picture(hopefully it isn't).
Stunning! I wonder how much of that will actually make it to the production car's face. Bingo, even if 30% does!
Really like it a lot, but like the new A8 thread, it's just too early. I'm getting CS vibes off it. Never a bad thing....And those hood shut lines; hope they're like that on the actual car. I'm getting sick of the current hood shut lines. It's a cheap and ugly solution! Just the way I like it!
Good point about the shutlines. I never loved the way BMW has tried to really "design around" the shutline issues they're faced due to EU pedestrian limitations or whatever. Kudo's for trying, but I like a more straightforward shutline approach. The render shows a nice, straightforward and working shutline approach.
If those regulations were really the case, the E class and A6 would have this shut line too. It has everything to do with finding the cheapest way to tackle a problem. Those EU pedestrian regulations might be the ultimate cause of things, but there were, are and will always be MUCH better solutions available, like the pop up hood of a Merc for instance. Don't get me wrong, I don't even see the hood shut lines 90% of the time on the current cars, but when I see a picture like this 7er mock up, I am reminded again....
Damn, I thought you were talking about the SIDE shutlines, which really aren't an issue with modern BMW's, except for how they "twist" or whatever, which I'm not crazy about, but I'm sure many are. I didn't even realize you were talking about the front shutline! By far it is what ruins BMW fronts to me right now, and not just Bimmers, but any cars with it. I can't stand that look, with the shortened hood, lengthened bumper upward, and big, jarring, usually not even properly aligned shutline jammed in between. Very promising "news" that BMW will go back to a true approach with the hood meeting the grille for a shutline (a'la E-Class, A6). If I remember correctly, the upcoming X5 is gonna be the first to tackle this issue?
Definitely looks like it, I said the same in the X5 spy pic thread: #354 But then again, the X5 has never had those shut lines to begin with, so don't hold your breath just yet....
Pedestrian protection is of course integral for safety legislation , but in respect of this you have to take into consideration of manufacturing costs especially in relation to front end safety for pedestrians , for BMW in some cases , nose cones which allow the bonnet to be integrated are more cost-effective and safer than full length bonnets. The days of the grill being connected to the actual bonnet have now gone the same way as the pop-up headlight. They are no longer paramount as legislation has now outlawed them.
They don't have to be connected, though. M-B has done a great thing with the W212 and upcoming W222 where it still has that look, but the grille is connected to the bumper portion, yet the hood still can run the proper, and much more attractive full length. BMW did the same with the previous 3er and current X5, I assume? Though they were designed before pedestrian regulations got so stringent. Doesn't BMW make enough money? Can't they just make the best product and not compromise on styling at all, for the sake of saving a few bucks? Nose-cones are hopefully an interim and cheap solution before manufacturers figure out how to design distinctively "not softness appearing" front ends, whilst still meeting pedestrian regulations (as M-B have done with their E and S-Classes).
SCOTT, Could you give us a few indications of where BMWs design is going? Which car will show us the next step (as the CS Concept did back in 2007)?
