Domagoj Dukec could not be the Head of Design over at BMW. Self-described as “an emotional rationalist,” he’s now answerable for design over at Rolls-Royce. However his choices and directives proceed to form notion of the BMW model immediately. 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 automobile as a sedan. In any case, everybody is aware of SUVs are what’s in proper now. In Steve Saxty’s wonderful e book 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 an emblem for BMW,” Dukec begins. “It one way or the other connects with those that say ‘We thought this wouldn’t exist anymore, as a result of vehicles have to vary. They advised us electrification and effectivity means the whole lot will seem like a bar of cleaning soap,’” he continues. Which is an efficient callback to the origins of the Neue Klasse identify. In any case, the automobile that arguably birthed BMW as we all know it immediately additionally featured an understated, however sporty and aerodynamic, look. “We need to present…{that a} fashionable automobile will 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
After all, BMW arguably may’ve achieved one thing related 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 one way or the other the important thing, the core thought of BMW.” For purchasers involved with the lightning-fast change rocking the automotive trade, Dukec thought it was essential to display 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 model that appears tremendous aerodynamic.” Look no additional than the Mannequin 3 and even the brand new C-Class for an instance. “After all, it’s extra aerodynamic,” he says, “however we need to be a distinct face within the crowd. To try this, you must make one thing that stands out, or it will likely be simply one other one which’s been carried out ten instances.”
Straight From the Supply
We predict the Neue Klasse is an efficient search for the model. At the very least a part of that will come from the influences the automobile’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 straight from Steve Saxty’s BMW by Design e book, simply one among 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.
