Summary of the Article
- Adrian van Hooydonk, the head of design at BMW Group, revealed that initial drafts of the i3 included a vertical grille.
- This grille design works well for the iX3 due to its higher front profile.
- In the case of the 3 Series, the design team selected horizontal kidneys to enhance the sedan's lower, sportier look.
With nearly a century of experience in automobile design, BMW has undoubtedly produced a plethora of sketches over the years. From time to time, insights from the design process emerge, providing clarity on earlier choices. Recently, the design team shared revelations about their newly released product.
During a recent conversation, Adrian van Hooydonk, the design leader at BMW Group, provided information regarding the new i3. The electric 3 Series Sedan initially had a different grille in its early iterations. At the official launch, van Hooydonk mentioned that the team had contemplated a vertical grille but ultimately went in another direction, concluding that the tall, narrow kidneys did not fit the front design of the vehicle.
“We tried it on the 3 Series as well. During the design stage, it was considered, but we believed that the 3 Series has become sporty through many generations. A vertical grille could have come across as too retro and not as athletic as it currently appears. We evaluated both possibilities and decided that the horizontal grille better matched the essence of the 3 Series.”
The retro-themed kidneys of the iX3 are anticipated to appear on taller models like the new X5/iX5 (G65), which is set to launch this summer. Prototypes of the Neue Klasse iX1 (NB5) suggest it will present a vertical grille at launch. Each grille will be customized to suit the vehicle's front end, ensuring a specific fit rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
As seen with the i3, lower-profile vehicles will feature horizontal kidneys. The upcoming 3 Series Touring may incorporate this style, as hinted by BMW recently. If rumors about a two-door i4 Coupe hold true, it would make sense for the NA2 to showcase a wide grille that connects with the headlights, akin to the expected NA1 hatchback.
Nevertheless, not all models will adopt these new grille designs. The facelift for the 7 Series, scheduled to debut next month, has been shown with an evolutionary enhancement to its large kidneys. Furthermore, spy images of the refreshed 5 Series, expected in 2027, indicate it might not fully embrace the Neue Klasse design philosophy. The second-generation X7 is also anticipated for next year, with spy captures suggesting it will retain a large grille paired with split headlights, in line with the upcoming 7 Series LCI.
In different segments of the lineup, several models will keep their current grilles, including the 2 Series Coupe, 2 Series Active Tourer, 4 Series Coupe/Convertible, iX, and XM. Still, the new kidneys introduced with the iX3 and i3 are expected to gradually infiltrate the lineup. Through facelifts or fresh generations, these less imposing grilles are set to become common in the years ahead.
Summary of the Article
- Adrian van Hooydonk, the head of design at BMW Group, revealed that initial drafts of the i3 included a vertical grille.
- This grille design works well for the iX3 due to its higher front profile.
- In the case of the 3 Series, the design team selected horizontal kidneys to enhance the sedan’s lower, sportier look.
With nearly a century of experience in automobile design, BMW has undoubtedly produced a plethora of sketches over the years. From time to time, insights from the design process emerge, providing clarity on earlier choices. Recently, the design team shared revelations about their newly released product.
During a recent conversation, Adrian van Hooydonk, the design leader at BMW Group, provided information regarding the new i3. The electric 3 Series Sedan initially had a different grille in its early iterations. At the official launch, van Hooydonk mentioned that the team had contemplated a vertical grille but ultimately went in another direction, concluding that the tall, narrow kidneys did not fit the front design of the vehicle.
“We tried it on the 3 Series as well. During the design stage, it was considered, but we believed that the 3 Series has become sporty through many generations. A vertical grille could have come across as too retro and not as athletic as it currently appears. We evaluated both possibilities and decided that the horizontal grille better matched the essence of the 3 Series.”
The retro-themed kidneys of the iX3 are anticipated to appear on taller models like the new X5/iX5 (G65), which is set to launch this summer. Prototypes of the Neue Klasse iX1 (NB5) suggest it will present a vertical grille at launch. Each grille will be customized to suit the vehicle’s front end, ensuring a specific fit rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
As seen with the i3, lower-profile vehicles will feature horizontal kidneys. The upcoming 3 Series Touring may incorporate this style, as hinted by BMW recently. If rumors about a two-door i4 Coupe hold true, it would make sense for the NA2 to showcase a wide grille that connects with the headlights, akin to the expected NA1 hatchback.
Nevertheless, not all models will adopt these new grille designs. The facelift for the 7 Series, scheduled to debut next month, has been shown with an evolutionary enhancement to its large kidneys. Furthermore, spy images of the refreshed 5 Series, expected in 2027, indicate it might not fully embrace the Neue Klasse design philosophy. The second-generation X7 is also anticipated for next year, with spy captures suggesting it will retain a large grille paired with split headlights, in line with the upcoming 7 Series LCI.
In different segments of the lineup, several models will keep their current grilles, including the 2 Series Coupe, 2 Series Active Tourer, 4 Series Coupe/Convertible, iX, and XM. Still, the new kidneys introduced with the iX3 and i3 are expected to gradually infiltrate the lineup. Through facelifts or fresh generations, these less imposing grilles are set to become common in the years ahead.
