09 Jul 08
Video: BMW 7-Series
The last iteration of the BMW 7-Series, in 2002, caused something of a kerfuffle.
The Chris Bangle-approved design raised the hackles of BMW purists, its angular surfaces and prominent bootlid winding up some of the sadder Beamer aficionados so much that they started an online petition addressed to the company asking it to sack him.
Of course, Bangle has had the last laugh: the styling revolution that BMW started under his direction has influenced car design throughout the car industry over the last five years and he is now seen as one of the most influential voices in contemporary car design.
BMW has now moved from a period of revolution in its designs to a phase of evolution. Recent cars have looked less radical, a theme that is continued in the new 7-Series, which was unveiled at an event in Munich on July 3, in advance of the start of sales in November.
The design of the new 7 has been overseen by Bangle (director of BMW Group Design) and the chief designer for BMW's car division, Adrian van Hooydonk, with the aim of combining the sporty character of BMW's rear-wheel drive cars with the elegance that buyers of luxury barges demand. Have they been successful? The answer is a qualified yes.
