Automobile fans and media have been discussing the present design of the BMW 4 Series. Sincerity be damned, everyone with eyes always has something to say about its overall appearance, especially the enormous lung, um, kidney grille.
While Frank Stephenson, a former BMW designer, offered his opinions about this new design direction in a video that was released to his YouTube channel, the G22 4 Series designer urges you to appreciate the peculiarities in the new appearance.
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Reaction from a former BMW designer to the contentious new 4 Series
The massive grille of the new 4 Series coupe, according to Frank Stephenson, is “unrefined,” despite having great proportions.
Recently, renowned auto designer Frank Stephenson debuted a very awesome YouTube channel. He discusses a few of the vehicles he created, like as the original BMW X5, the revived Fiat 500, or the Maserati MC12, but he also analyzes the styling of a large number of other vehicles. The most recent film, which was released earlier this week, features the new BMW 4 Series coupe, a vehicle that is stirring up a lot of debate due to its enormous grille.
It’s crucial to understand why Stephenson’s perspective on the 4 Series is particularly intriguing. This man spent many years creating automobiles for BMW, so he is fully aware of how the business operates on a daily basis. He does, however, concede that it is “tough to explain” why BMW would use a grille like this on one of its new vehicles because it doesn’t fit with the coupe’s overall proportions. The criticism from Stephenson that the grille resembles nostrils in some ways is unflattering. Additionally, he finds it odd that this car’s design didn’t seem to take the location of the front license plate into account. He adds, “Don’t forget about the license plate.”
With the grille excluded, Stephenson remarks that the 4 Series has “excellent proportions,” but he detects numerous other flaws. For instance, he laments the apparent elimination by BMW of the company’s signature Hofmeister kink and claims there is “a lot happening” towards the back. Maybe it’s for the best that BMW will only use this design on the 4 Series.
The 14-minute video is well worth seeing, and Stephenson has a lot to say about the new 4 Series that is extremely fascinating. It’s time well spent, and don’t forget to leave your thoughts about the new 4 Series’ look in the comments section.
Frank Stephenson Offers His Opinion on the Huge Kidney Grilles on the BMW 4-Series
Frank Stephenson acknowledges that “standing still is like moving backwards in automotive design” and commends BMW for the new 4-Series’ design for this reason. But like you, he likely feels that the 4’s new, massive kidney grilles are awful.
Stephenson dissects the many design components of the new 2021 4-Series for his great YouTube channel, and he is forthright about the kidneys. “Even if BMW designed this, I’m not sure. I have no idea where it came from “He claims. “It’s quite difficult to comprehend how you could put a grille on it that is so different from the rest of the car — with the purpose, of course, of producing a very distinctive aspect — but it’s just unrefined,” the author said.
He believes that the designers need to have considered where the license plate would go and divided the two kidneys into different parts. Stephenson is much more appreciative about the rest of the vehicle, despite the fact that he believes BMW is giving up some of the traits that have historically distinguished its vehicles. With the infamous Hofmeister Kink gone, the 4-Series appears more generic, although still being appealing.
Stephenson would have scored the new 4-Series an 8/10 if BMW had properly incorporated the kidney grille, but as it stands, he will only give it a 6/10. The grille’s awful lack of compatibility with the rest of the car is regrettable. But at least it stands apart.
This material was downloaded from YouTube. At their website, you might be able to discover the same material in a different format or more details.
Let’s Discuss the Design of the BMW 4-Series
For months, we were aware that the BMW 4-Series would be replaced. Spy photos, the concept i4 with the new kidney grille that debuted in March, and a mostly covered 4 with the similar nose were all seen. The new automobile was formally unveiled by BMW on Tuesday, and despite what we had anticipated, it’s actually not that horrible. In fact, might that not be kind of cool?
With its stretched horizontally and compressed vertically taillights, the older 4-Series seems to be taller and narrower than the new vehicle. The new one is 0.4 inches higher and 1 inch wider than the previous one. The old 4-Series had round tailpipes, while the new ones are square. We have vents on the flanks to draw air out of the wheel wells rather than wrinkles in the lower bumper.
The new 4-Series appears to have a simpler design than the previous iteration from the rear three-quarter view. The new car replaces the distinct shoulder line and fender vents with smooth surfaces, giving the 2021 model a longer appearance than it actually is—by more than 5 inches. Like the Porsche Panamera, the rear side window has a new design that significantly alters how it looks.
Although the scalloped doors are still present, the new 4-Series has a ducktail rear end. The hood appears longer and more trim. Although both of the noses appear to be trimmed, the new one virtually cants in while the old one gently flares out.
The ancient 4-Series’ snout appears almost absurdly little when viewed nose to nose like this. Again, from ground to roof, the new 4 appears shorter, but it is not. Your eye only perceives it that way because of the extra five inches in length. Both headlights have an upward and sideward flare, but the new ones simply have a cooler appearance.
Finally, we reach the room’s 500-pound elephant trunk. Domagoj Dukec, the head of design at BMW, was contacted by us and stated that each series has its own grille design. As a result, don’t be shocked if we see additional variations in the future. Additionally, he claimed that BMW is offering 4-Series owners what they want by giving the vehicle a more expressive appearance. Despite what BMW claimed in its news release regarding the larger kidney grille allowing more air to enter the more powerful engine, we further investigation revealed that it is just an aesthetic choice.
In retrospect, it appears to be less objectionable than the images of the i4 EV and 4-Series. Although I won’t go so far as to say I like it, it would become much more pleasant if the front license plate were removed, as we will do in Michigan. I still won’t give the new automobile the advantage, but perhaps we might declare a draw. We will have to award the stylish championship belt to the new 4-Series because it took first place in the remaining aesthetic categories. If you disagree with anything I say, feel free to tweet me.
Here Are the Mistakes BMW Made With the 2021 4 Series, Says Design Expert Frank Stephenson
I’ve come to the opinion that the new grille on the BMW 4 Series is a catastrophic error despite the fact that I’m not a designer and am only judging as a person with functioning eyesight. This decision was probably reached in a room where no one dared to raise their hand.
The fact that it is completely out of proportion and that no modern car need such a big air inlet is just the beginning. Furthermore, BMW’s design staff has no justification for overlooking the required license plates. Contrary to the nostrils on the 2021 G22 generation, the narrow, pre-war vertical grilles were never split in half by the plates.
If you’re still not convinced, veteran BMW and Mini designer Frank Stephenson is here to analyze the entire 2021 4 Series, not just the grille.
The designer of the first X5 SUV claims that it nearly appears as though BMW attempted to tone down all of its characteristic design features, including the Hofmeister kink on the C-pillars and the typically bold body line crossing the door handles that was rather pronounced on the previous gen.
De-BMWing, or normalizing their own vehicle, possibly in order to establish a new design vocabulary? Strange strategy, especially considering that the grille is also meant to convey “a really powerful character,” as Stephenson stated in his video.
Overall, Stephenson seems satisfied with the new BMW coupe’s surface, headlights, and general proportions. He offers a proposal for the grille to make the alleged kidneys appear less strange, but he also notes that overall, “they threw the baby out with the bathwater.”
Domagoj Dukec, head of design at BMW, contends that the 4 Series’ new front end gives it “a really powerful character that’s unique” and that in the future, people would know it as a “brand-shaper.” I believe that American Chris Bangle, whose tenure at BMW has endured better than most thought, was the last guy to know how to push the Bavarians’ limits.
The identical question was once put to Chris Bangle, who responded more politely than Stephenson did.
New 4 Series grille will be “brand-shaper,” according to BMW design head
The “polarizing” kidney grille on the new 4 Series coupe, according to BMW design boss Domagoj Dukec, will be recognized as a “brand-shaper” in the future.
The big horizontal grille that was initially seen on a concept car last year is still there on the second-generation coupe. When that car was made public, it sparked a heated debate on social media, which is also evident in current spy photos and image leaks.
Is there all-wheel drive in the 4 Series Coupe?
All models of the 4 Series Coupe are offered with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The 430i, M440i, M4 Coupe, and M4 Competition Coupe all have rear-wheel drive (RWD) drivetrains; however, the 430i xDrive and M440i xDrive also have BMW’s clever all-wheel drive technology. The M4 Competition xDrive Coupe has M xDrive, which offers all-wheel drive’s stability and traction.
Who created the 2021 BMW M4?
Domagoj Dukec, head of design at BMW, outlined the rationale for the company’s unconventional strategy in an interview with Car Magazine. According to him, two-thirds of consumers desire “an exquisite and harmonious aesthetic,” therefore volume sellers like the 3er and 5er stick to safe design.
The 2021 BMW 4 Series is made where?
- BMW 328 Touring Coupe Mille Miglia.
- BMW 507.
- 2002 Tii BMW.
- E24 635CSi BMW.
- BMW E39 M5.
- BMW Z8.
- E46 M3 CSL BMW.
- BMW i8
Is the 4 Series being phased out by BMW?
The latest deal to provide the new weapons was given to the guns business Sig Sauer, the Army revealed on April 20, 2022. The new XM5 rifle, which will eventually replace the M4 carbine, will be purchased by the Army through a contract inked with guns maker Sig Sauer, the Army stated on April 20, 2022.
The 2022 BMW 4 Series is made where?
Domagoj Dukec, the current head of design at BMW, is just one flat trunk away from earning a derogatory moniker from fans à la Chris Bangle. Currently, fans and enthusiasts are criticizing BMW as a whole as well as Dukec personally for the new grille design of the BMW 4 Series, M3, M4, i4 and iX.
How much time is required to construct a BMW 4 Series?
In 2021, how many 4-Series did BMW sell? In 2021, BMW sold 22,937 4-Series cars. BMW sold 9,495 4-Series vehicles in 2020. They sold 13,442 more units in 2021 compared to 2020, for a 141.57% YoY increase in sales.
What color is associated with BMW?
- FernandoV/Shutterstock 1955 BMW 507.
- BMW 503 Cabriolet from 1956. Gaschwald/Shutterstock.
- BMW 3200 CS from 1962, via Rudiecast/Shutterstock.
- BMW 3.0 CSL from 1973, via Simlinger/Shutterstock.
- Gerd Schifferl/Getty Images, 1978 BMW M1.
- .
- BMW M Coupe, 1998. Getty Images/Heritage Images
- 1999 BMW Z8.
- BMW 1M Coupe 2011