Car Design

Today, I feel it is time to talk a little bit more about design of cars. This is very relevant considering that the person who I respect most in the whole industry, Chris Bangle, has decided to jump ship for horizons new. This was the man who made me realise that normal cars could be works of art as much as any  Ferrari or Lamborghini is. He is of course, the head designer of BMW. Or he was, until a couple of weeks ago.

But before we delve into the genius of Bangle, lets look at what makes a great car design. To really visualise what I view a great car design to be, you have to think of the iPod. Yes, I know it's not a car, but every designer strives to make function as pure and simple as possible. That's what Jonathan Ive achieved when he designed the iPod. I want to achieve that same design feat with cars, but going about designing such a car is easier said than done.

Every car manufacturer has their own little quirks that set them apart form other manufacturers. Citroen has two chevrons that integrate into the grille design, whilst alfa romeo has the shield front that stands proudly from front of the car, and it is these influences to that pose a problem to the ultimate design of a car. Because the ultimate design of a car would not have these funny fripperies which would spoil the lines of the car.

Designing a car with no immediate tell tale  designs would of course be mad, because whatever company to try and sell it to, they would say, where's the thing that makes it unique to my brand. So, designers have to work with these constraints, so, as you can see, achieving perfect form and function is harder than it looks.

Which is where Chris Bangle steps in. Working with the two kidney grill design that is such a stalwart of BMW style, he managed to sculpt a design using his ground breaking flame surface style to create one of the most important cars of the 21st century, the utterly gorgeous 7 series (runs away from the barrage of angry comments). He moved on to restyle the rest of the BMW range, including the prettiest car for under £30k, the BMW Z4. Most importantly however, Bangle's ethos has always been about form and functionality. His 3 series design produces  a drag of 0.26 cD, which is phenomenally low for a saloon.

But alas, Bangle has gone from the automotive industry in order to persue different interests. Why, I do not know, but he will be sorely missed. Adrian van Hooydonk, you have high expectations on your shoulders now.

Roman

BMW 318d Review

I think it's very relevant that franco has posted a blog about his Alfa Romeo below, because I'm about to talk about the polar opposite of his car, the BMW 318d. Why? Because my Dad's just taken delivery of one as his new company car, of course! Now, there are expectations, and there's expectations. Expectations normally regarding a BMW is how well it drives, and how efficient it is; but the BMW went one further than that, it has totally flipped my whole view of cars on to its head. It's not really one specific area of the car that stands out, but in combination, it vanquishes all competition, and yes Franco, that includes your 156.

The moment I saw it, it was dark, the evening was setting, and light rippled over the contoured creases that makes up the shell of the car. With the doors unlocked, LEDs hidden underneath the door handles beamed out, bathing the doors in a bluish light. This was when I knew why a BMW carried certain expectations. The interior flows gracefully, a main arc of silver being the main aesthetic, echoing hints of Germany's Bauhaus past. The dash is uncluttered, and clearly laid out; even the lowliest luddite would be able to tune into radio 1 without a problem. Feeling cold, whilst the driver's in a sweat? No problem, thanks to the dual zone climate control. The biggest plus point of all though is that fact that it has an auxillary port. This headphone jack affair allows you to plug in your iPod (and other "leading" brands of MP3 players) into the car's stereo, so on an early morning listening isn't restricted to Chris Moyles. Hence, the reason why this is such a godsend.

Out on the road, this car comes into its own. I know I can't drive, but in the passenger seat I can definitely feel the G forces of the car, and how the run-flats cling on with monumental grip. Naturally, this being the face lifted BMW 3 series, (you can recognise it by the flame surfaced two front bonnet vertical power lines), and it being the SE version, this car has the 17" alloys which make all the difference to its forbear, which had to do with miserly 16"s. This must have been the one biggest complaint with the 3 series, and I am glad BMW have rectified it.

When the car does lose grip, it does so progressively, in an arc that is as controllable as that of an M3 on a computer game. Ok, so it has 140-odd horsepower, which isn't the most exciting amount, but the pleasure comes in maintaining what speed it has built up through the corners, making full use of its independent link suspension, and shod alloys.

I really can't justify the true greatness of its car, it is perfection. The lights are a particular favourite of mine, the front having the angel lights that give the look of the car an extra garnishing of technological superiority, and the back LED lights that glare out to other drivers, left eating dust in the wake of your hasty progression to some private party.

The bar has just been raised. Once again.

Stars: 10

Roman