Domagoj Dukec might not be the Head of Design over at BMW. Self-described as “an emotional rationalist,” he’s now accountable for design over at Rolls-Royce. However his selections and directives proceed to form notion of the BMW model immediately. That gained’t cease anytime quickly, both. Primarily as a result of in 2020, when the Neue Klasse began to take form, Domagoj Dukec was the person in cost. Whereas not the one who penned it — that honor goes to Anders Thøgersen — it was Dukec on the helm and Dukec that selected the maybe unorthodox option to debut a Neue Klasse idea/imaginative and prescient automotive as a sedan. In spite of everything, everybody is aware of SUVs are what’s in proper now. In Steve Saxty’s wonderful guide BMW by Design, we eventually get a glimpse at what steered Dukec towards the Neue Klasse we’ll get to know in 2026.
Why Imaginative and prescient Neue Klasse Debuted As a Sedan
“The sedan silhouette is a logo for BMW,” Dukec begins. “It in some way connects with those that say ‘We thought this wouldn’t exist anymore, as a result of automobiles have to alter. They instructed us electrification and effectivity means every part will appear to be a bar of cleaning soap,’” he continues. Which is an efficient callback to the origins of the Neue Klasse title. In spite of everything, the automotive that arguably birthed BMW as we all know it immediately additionally featured an understated, however sporty and aerodynamic, look. “We wish to present…{that a} fashionable automotive might be extra environment friendly and perhaps relay one thing from the ‘60s or ‘70s,” Dukec says. And in that respect, we predict it’s truthful to name the Neue Klasse a design success.
On Type and Perform
In fact, BMW arguably may’ve completed one thing comparable with an SUV. However Domagoj Dukec is satisfied that the sedan design was integral to showcase the brand new design language. “The sporty, elegant, three-box sedan is in some way the important thing, the core thought of BMW.” For patrons involved with the lightning-fast change rocking the automotive trade, Dukec thought it was necessary to exhibit that “some issues won’t ever change.” He acknowledges that the Neue Klasse’s three-box format isn’t actually probably the most aerodynamic. However he’s okay with that.
“Aerodynamics dictates a roof form that’s extra fluid,” Dukec begins, saying that designing Neue Klasse as a traditional sedan was fairly difficult. “Subsequently, everybody within the trade goes for a extra aero, fluid fashion that appears tremendous aerodynamic.” Look no additional than the Mannequin 3 and even the brand new C-Class for an instance. “In fact, it’s extra aerodynamic,” he says, “however we wish to be a distinct face within the crowd. To try this, you must make one thing that stands out, or will probably be simply one other one which’s been achieved ten occasions.”
Straight From the Supply
We predict the Neue Klasse is an efficient search for the model. Not less than a part of which will come from the influences the automotive’s designer, Anders Thøgersen drew on. “It wasn’t about muscular surfacing, however extra just like the 2002, E30, and E36 that had been pushed extra by their geometry and stance than their surfacing,” he says. We predict that’s a reasonably correct abstract of what we like about Neue Klasse. Maybe it’s one of the simplest ways to make sure Neue Klasse joins the pantheon of iconic BMW designs.
Quotes had been borrowed straight from Steve Saxty’s BMW by Design guide, simply one in all many wonderful BMW books Saxty’s penned. Get the complete scoop — full with sketches, early renders, and footage — by choosing up a duplicate your self.
