What I didn’t understand was the radical design change of Mr. Bangle during his career at BMW. He designed wonderfull vehicles like the former e46 3-series, especially the pre-facelift generation,and the magnificent Z8. What was going on in his head when he came up with the blatant e65 7-series? A radical change in the line-up begun with that specific car. Adriaan (or Adrian in English) hooked up very smoothly on the new design theme with his all new 6-series design. Then I kwnew everything was going to change. However, recently I saw some sketches of the 2010 5-series… I think we are heading back to the glory days again!

Upon employing Mr. Bangle, a senior BMW exec. stated that in the future, it would be more important for car brands to look different from their competitors than beautiful. Judging from BMW sales I’m certain this tasteless beancounter is today convinced that he was right. Did he use his money and philosophy to have Jamie Wyeth paint him a velvet Elvis for the den?

This leaves us buying and driving BMW’s for their usual virtues, simultaneously wondering why the damned things don’t look as good as they run. Does anyone really think the front face of the X6 is a clean and elegant design? Mercy. Remember the good old days when we all thought BMW’s lineup was more attractive and exciting than the somewhat staid looks of MB? Before Chris turned the distinctive BMW grill into Dianne Warwick (I can see your brain from here) nostrils. No longer. While Beemers were busy “looking different” MB ate their visual lunch and, Mr Beancounter and Mr. Bangle, retained a distinct link to their visual heritage. Now which mark is more distinctive and attractive?