Karim Habib Returns to Head BMW Exterior Design

[Wolfgang]

^^^
Or... Murat Günak.

Murat Günak (46) took over as Head of Design of the Volkswagen Group on 1 January 2004. He is now responsible for the design activities of all brands in the Group.

Murat Günak studied design at Hochschule für Bildende Künste (Academy of Fine Arts) in Kassel and was awarded the degree of Master of Automotive Design by the Royal College of Art in London. Günak became Head of Design at Peugeot in 1994, before assuming responsibility for the design of Mercedes Passenger Cars, Maybach and SLR at Daimler AG in 1998. He has been Head of Design at the Volkswagen brand group (Volkswagen, Skoda, Bentley) since April 2003.

 

[Kowalski]

If he is the man responsible for the interior of the Bangle BMWs, then I'm not happy. The E60 had a very cheap looking interior compared to the plush interior in the F10.

 

[Deleted member 25]

No again he has nothing to do with interior design, he designed the CS and the 7 exteriors.

 

[7saen]

 

[SCOTT27]

You would be surprised at how many designers (not only at BMW) branch out on other areas of design I guess it is the same for architects and industrial and product design.

I am originally a designer which is what I originally studied until I got involved in politics. and had an accident in a Beetle.

 

[Giannis]

I wonder how much can one designer can influence the whole design identity of a brand.

...had an accident in a Beetle...

The new or the old one?

 

[7saen]

You would be surprised at how many designers (not only at BMW) branch out on other areas of design I guess it is the same for architects and industrial and product design.

I am originally a designer which is what I originally studied until I got involved in politics. and had an accident in a Beetle.

True. The latest case I know is Julian Hönig. The Audi designer who brought you the current A4, the RSQ and upcoming Q3 is now working at Apple in California.

Interesting to know that you're designer too, Scott. What and where did you study?

 

[Osnabrueck]

If he is the man responsible for the interior of the Bangle BMWs, then I'm not happy. The E60 had a very cheap looking interior compared to the plush interior in the F10.

A designer has no influence over the cheapness or plushness of a vehicle's interior. The (pre FL) E60 had a cheap cabin because BMW set their budget unreasonably low for interior appointments.

 

[NarutoRamen]

I am originally a designer which is what I originally studied until I got involved in politics. and had an accident in a Beetle.

Wow, some personal info from the fabled Scott. LOL Good to hear man. I'm originally a designer who (after going broke) went into business instead. I still design for fun. Would love to see some of your stuff.

Interesting to know that you're designer too, Scott. What and where did you study?

RSQ is one of my favorite designs ever. I wonder if Scott will answer that question. The world of design is small enough to where we could find out who he is. LOL

 

[Wunderkind]

A designer has no influence over the cheapness or plushness of a vehicle's interior. The (pre FL) E60 had a cheap cabin because BMW set their budget unreasonably low for interior appointments.

The designers have control over the design and the general architecture of the interior. But the hardware and materials used are usually a compromise between the designers, engineers, and the beancounters.

 

[SCOTT27]

I didnt go to a special design school or anything I graduated in art and design in Germany but since in my era car design was done with a ruler , car design was a secondary choice as I was interested in architecture.

I was drawing buildings with the bows of ships on top and living surfaces such as greenary. I was in my Dali (Salvador Dali) phase even making my appearance similar which looking back ( must have been smoking some good shit!!)

Although this is when the all dancing first VW Golf came out in my spare time I turned it into a sedan and Coupe and tinkered with a at-that-time modern BMW 2002.

But since my future wife and myself conceived an accident in her VW Beetle. Realising that a family was on the way I got the opportunity via a family friend to go into Politics as a speechwriter which opened doors to marketing in other companies such as Lufthansa, a short time at Opel and advertising agencies across Germany for my visual contributions.

I was approached and joined BMW at the tail end of 1987 where I started as an assistant on the closing stages of the E34 5er and then on the BMW 850i Coupe in 89 but my first full project was the 1991 E36 3er Sedan.

 

[Wunderkind]

But since my future wife and myself conceived an accident in her VW Beetle.

Now I understand your previous quote.

Scott, did you work with Pinky Lai in the late 1980's before he left for Porsche with Harm Lagaay?

 

[NarutoRamen]

Wow Scott. Very thoughrough there. Thanks for sharing with us. That's one helluva life you've had.

I, one day, hope to replace you at BMW. Any pointers?

 

[K-A]

Are you talking about the F800?
If that's what you mean then I have to disappoint you
Karim didn't design the F800. The car was already finished before as he just started working at Mercedes. The premiere of the car was only posponed.
he didn't have any notable influence on the design. It was designed by Hubert Lee, the same designer who designed the New CLS and who is the new head of the California Advanced Design Studio.

Good info. Seeing as to how you seem to have very interesting and coveted info on these great cars, do you know who was responsible for the actual design of the Mercedes W212 E-Class? Or the W221 S-Class? I assumed it was Wagener?

Good for Habib, I think BMW is probably where his heart is (because he's worked with them, and is now a part of their history).

I think the E60 was a terrible design in certain ways, but if he was responsible for that, then he certainly redeemed himself with the F01. So I think it's a good idea to let him be part of the team to evolve on that. Does anyone know if he had a hand in the F10? I'm sure he did?

 

[Wolfgang]

who was responsible for the actual design of the Mercedes W212 E-Class? Or the W221 S-Class?

My guess is Hans-Dieter Futschik had a hand in there. Maybe with participation of Steffen Köhl?

Kilometer Magazine: Mercedes-Benz Design Chief Speaks His Mind

 

[Zafiro]

Good info. Seeing as to how you seem to have very interesting and coveted info on these great cars, do you know who was responsible for the actual design of the Mercedes W212 E-Class? Or the W221 S-Class? I assumed it was Wagener?

hu§eindesign is a designer himself. Been studing at both BMW and MB.

True fact: hu§eindesign is responsible of those squarish new tailpipes on the new AMG's.
Not bad huh!

 

[NarutoRamen]

hu§eindesign is a designer himself. Been studing at both BMW and MB.

True fact: hu§eindesign is responsible of those squarish new tailpipes on the new AMG's.
Not bad huh!

I was just gonna point that out too. Hussein is one of the sickest designers out there. I did his tutorial a long time ago.

 

[K-A]

hu§eindesign is a designer himself. Been studing at both BMW and MB.

True fact: hu§eindesign is responsible of those squarish new tailpipes on the new AMG's.
Not bad huh!

Wow, cool info, didn't know we were in the presence of such design royalty. Respect, Hu§eindesign!

And, thanks for that info Wolfgang! I didn't even know of that guy, so I just learned something.

 

[Deleted member 25]

hu§eindesign is a designer himself. Been studing at both BMW and MB.

True fact: hu§eindesign is responsible of those squarish new tailpipes on the new AMG's.
Not bad huh!

Hussein also studied at Audi and is the man behind the Smart bike concept

 

[GreyCoupe]

I must've lost my place in the shuffle, wha' hopping to Hooydonk?