Domagoj Dukec could now not be the Head of Design over at BMW. Self-described as “an emotional rationalist,” he’s now in command of design over at Rolls-Royce. However his choices and directives proceed to form notion of the BMW model as we speak. That received’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 any case, everybody is aware of SUVs are what’s in proper now. In Steve Saxty’s wonderful guide BMW by Design, we ultimately 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 vehicles have to alter. They instructed us electrification and effectivity means every thing will appear like a bar of cleaning soap,’” he continues. Which is an effective callback to the origins of the Neue Klasse identify. In any case, the automotive that arguably birthed BMW as we all know it as we speak additionally featured an understated, however sporty and aerodynamic, look. “We wish to present…{that a} trendy automotive may be extra environment friendly and possibly relay one thing from the ‘60s or ‘70s,” Dukec says. And in that respect, we expect it’s honest to name the Neue Klasse a design success.
On Kind and Operate
In fact, BMW arguably may’ve achieved 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 concept of BMW.” For patrons involved with the lightning-fast change rocking the automotive business, Dukec thought it was necessary to show that “some issues won’t ever change.” He acknowledges that the Neue Klasse’s three-box format isn’t actually essentially 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 basic sedan was fairly difficult. “Subsequently, everybody within the business goes for a extra aero, fluid type 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, it’s important to make one thing that stands out, or it is going to be simply one other one which’s been completed ten instances.”
Straight From the Supply
We predict the Neue Klasse is an effective search for the model. At the very least 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 have been pushed extra by their geometry and stance than their surfacing,” he says. We predict that’s a fairly correct abstract of what we like about Neue Klasse. Maybe it’s the easiest way to make sure Neue Klasse joins the pantheon of iconic BMW designs.
Quotes have been borrowed instantly from Steve Saxty’s BMW by Design guide, simply one in every of many wonderful BMW books Saxty’s penned. Get the total scoop — full with sketches, early renders, and photos — by selecting up a replica your self.
