Domagoj Dukec might 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 at present. 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 automobile as a sedan. In spite of everything, everybody is aware of SUVs are what’s in proper now. In Steve Saxty’s glorious ebook BMW by Design, we finally 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 someway connects with those that say ‘We thought this wouldn’t exist anymore, as a result of automobiles have to alter. They advised us electrification and effectivity means every little thing will appear to be a bar of cleaning soap,’” he continues. Which is an effective callback to the origins of the Neue Klasse title. In spite of everything, the automobile that arguably birthed BMW as we all know it at present additionally featured an understated, however sporty and aerodynamic, look. “We wish to present…{that a} fashionable automobile 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
After all, BMW arguably may’ve completed 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 someway the important thing, the core concept 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 structure 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 wish to be a special face within the crowd. To do this, you need to make one thing that stands out, or will probably be simply one other one which’s been finished ten instances.”
Straight From the Supply
We expect the Neue Klasse is an effective search for the model. No less than 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 expect that’s a reasonably 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 ebook, simply considered one of many glorious BMW books Saxty’s penned. Get the total scoop — full with sketches, early renders, and footage — by choosing up a duplicate your self.
