BMW

The front grids of discord

Carmakers are always looking for ways to make their vehicles more appealing and attractive, and aesthetics are always the main asset. BMW's latest styling option prompted the German manufacturer to opt for king-size front grilles, hurting the susceptibility of some. That is why Peter Henrich, responsible for the product in the Bavarian brand, felt the need to go public to defend the option.
Whether they are successful or not - and only time will answer this question - gigantic grids are a bold choice for BMW, but they are far from the first to spark 'debate'. It is good to remember that the current designer of the Munich brand, the Dutch Adian van Hooydonk, worked at length under the baton of Chris Bangle, the stylist who designed some of the most debatable but equally commercially successful BMWs. One of them was the 5th generation BMW 5 Series, for sale between 2003 and 2010, signed by Bangle. It was greeted with mistrust when it hit the market, but it turned out to be one of the brand's biggest hits without a single restyling over its eight years of life. This shows that, to some degree, controversial design is good as long as it is due to personality.
BMW has revealed a bit of fear, by the way, of the strategy for its future models, which in part involves designing fronts with the larger and more vertical "double rim". The solution was tested on a prototype to measure audience receptivity during the last Frankfurt Motor Show, and although it brought together a set of detractors, it also garnered a set of fans, otherwise it would not advance to mass production.
In response to criticism, BMW vehicle manager Peter Henrich said he is convinced that the new stylistic elements of the Bavarian brand reflect the brand's philosophy and are the future. “Our customers want to express anything and are not afraid of vehicles with strong personality,” Henrich said in an interview with Autocar, noting that Hooydonk has done an excellent job.
Having a director of a brand praise a colleague's work is worth it, so it is best to move forward without fear and propose the first model with the new front, adorned with the king-size grille. Apparently it will be the M3 and if the sporty family lives up to its ancestors, it will surely be no problem for it to be accepted by fans of the brand.

Autonews