New York Auto Show >>> BMW CS Takes Us Back To The Classics
Photos for ADL by Kevin KusinaMy crew told me that BMW’s conference/reveal was the most straightforward at the show. Yours was busy interviewing GM’s G.M. for Cadillac – James Taylor (more on this later).
Chalk their Teutonic preference up to youthful, Roundel-badged bias?
Your call – but from what I saw (I was there for set up) the showcase was a great deal more tasteful than MB’s electoral punch and judy show >>>.
BMW has had to dial down the legacy of Chris Bangle’s flame. And while latest products like the X6 are still baring the torch scars, the latest CS Concept from last year’s Shanghai Show >>> shows that the Bavarians are starting to go back to the classics – a bit.
And while some may reference Aston Martin in the CS’ design language – particularly the Rapide – there’s actually a great deal of in-house influence going on here.
Recalling the classic 507 roadster which fed into the art behind the late 90′s retro themed Z8, classic Bimmer cues are very present in the wide-nostrilled grille and the twin headlamp clusters that feature dual projector beams encased under solitary lenses high on the fender line.
Sporting a low hood and (relatively) lean proportions that showcase sinewy surface tension also lead us to believe that BMW has the presence of mind to give the 8-Series line another try >>>. Though, we should recall that the E31 never really caught fire in sales.
The difference this time ’round is that the new 8 would take form in the contemporary four-door coupe sense that Benz pioneered with the (unfortunate) CLS.
And that is exciting. In a world of fat wedges and scalloped curves it’s hard for classicists to find enthusiasm in contemporary design.
So, with the CS debut in New York there stood both a glimmer of hope and tasteful display.
About the Author: Gunnar Heinrich is publisher of Automobiles De Luxe online and is executive producer of the Automobiles De Luxe Television series on PBS member station CPTV.
Tom | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
“Though, we should recall that the E31 never really caught fire in sales.”
The 8 Series was never meant to be a mass market car like a 3 Series.
Gunnar Heinrich | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
True… but as sharp a coupe as the old 8 was, the line didn’t challenge Mercedes’ ubiquitous SL – which I think was likely the aim.
Alex | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
gunnar gotta say…i’m beginning to see the cls thru ur eyes- ugly. lol. I loved it before too. sigh.
anyways, bmw. they have something there with the cs. however, the 7 series looks extremely plain and just plain boring. passe. the 6 series, an 80K luxury coupe, misses the mark, with the interior direct from a 3 series, and styling that initially thrills but a year later leaves much more to be desired. look at the mercedes s class, a great looking car no matter what age. look at the old bmw 740′s, a true classic, and the fives! bmw has lost their touch. and i have to say, i know some of you loved the ti back in the day and its part of the company, but if you ask me bmw is reaching for a market they shouldnt – the low end. no way i would buy a 6 series to have some high school kid pull up in a stripped 325 with the same interior and styling as my premium luxury car. talk about brand tarnishing. and yes, mercedes reaches out with the C class…but they have not forgotten their most important aspect – luxury, and year after year are NOT afraid to PUSH the s class forward. Bmw, well they bangled and idrove…and umm…put in all the same materials as a 1/4 the price one series. grand. BMW, find your path, don’t become the German Ford. Kill off the one series and 3 series, focus your efforts on making true LUXURY sport sedans. Put in the time and effort into the 5, 6, 7, and CS, and quit pushing your brand into cheapness, quit bringing down your image to the 1 and 3 series level…you aren’t not an Everyman’s car, so don’t try to be one, otherwise, you will loose all your eliteness and exclusivity….if there’s any left…
now just don’t get me started about MB’s press event. Man. someone needs to be fired over that. But their designers they can keep lol!
Gunnar Heinrich | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
Bangled and iDrove, I’ll have to remember those, Alex X-D
Give the BMW 3′s a chance. The current coupes and convertibles are the sharpest models in BMW’s current lineup.
I entirely agree with you where it pertains to the excellence that was the previous gen. 5-Series (especially the E34 1988-1996) and 7-Series (both E32 and E38 are gems).
Also, sat briefly in the 1-series at the Auto Show. I like it. Reminds me of the early 80s 3′s – straight forward sports sedans.
And I’d argue that BMW has TOO much luxury and not enough in the way of hard edged sport. What’s with the column shifter on the 7?
As for the 6… not crazy about the styling but – it’s interior is actually quite different from the current 3-series coupe. Check it out. I actually far prefer the 3′s interior…
Glad you’re seeing the light on the CLS. Brrr. The car gives me shivers!
Zarba | Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
BMW has been running ads for the new 7 this week on the NCAA turnament, and they leave me cold. The styling is just dull, bulbous, and heavy.
Compared the the E38, it’s like looking at a boxer vs. a sumo wrestler.
Gunnar Heinrich | Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
Your right, Zarba. The E65/66 won’t ever match the E38 for sheer style and definition of line. We should hope for a more appealing form in the next gen.
Anonymous | Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
Hey! Bangle was not sooo bad. He had the right ideas, just when doing them in metal they just didn’t look right. Esp the 5. Bangle was good in details – joints, seams and intersections. But at least he set BMW on a modern design path.
Not like that sorry Mercedes crew. They don’t have a coherent design idea and what they produce is without style and looks dated within 6 month. They have completely lost their way.
Regarding the new 7 – well, let’s see. The renderings in various German auto mags didn’t look half bad.
gotleib1 | Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
Looks like a cool car!
Anonymous >> Mercedes’ styling isn;t all that bad, the C, E, S, CLK, CL, G , & SL are all fine looking cars. The only bad one is the R-Class/
Gunnar Heinrich | Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
Gotleib, I get you on the C, S, SL and maybe – maybe – the CLK. But the E, GL, and CL classes aren’t not pretty.
Anon, I agree with you that Bangle had the right spirit but drew with the wrong pen. Yes, the jury will be out on the next 7.