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 at this time. 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 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 by some means connects with those that say ‘We thought this wouldn’t exist anymore, as a result of automobiles have to alter. They instructed us electrification and effectivity means all the pieces will appear to be a bar of cleaning soap,’” he continues. Which is an efficient callback to the origins of the Neue Klasse identify. In spite of everything, the automobile that arguably birthed BMW as we all know it at this time additionally featured an understated, however sporty and aerodynamic, look. “We need to present…{that a} trendy automobile will be extra environment friendly and perhaps relay one thing from the ‘60s or ‘70s,” Dukec says. And in that respect, we expect it’s truthful to name the Neue Klasse a design success.
On Type and Perform
In fact, BMW arguably might’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 by some means the important thing, the core concept of BMW.” For purchasers involved with the lightning-fast change rocking the automotive business, Dukec thought it was essential to exhibit 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 basic sedan was fairly difficult. “Due to this fact, everybody within the business goes for a extra aero, fluid fashion 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 need to be a distinct face within the crowd. To do this, it’s important to make one thing that stands out, or it will likely be simply one other one which’s been completed ten instances.”
Straight From the Supply
We expect the Neue Klasse is an efficient search for the model. At the least a part of which 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 had been pushed extra by their geometry and stance than their surfacing,” he says. We expect 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 had been borrowed immediately from Steve Saxty’s BMW by Design e-book, simply certainly one of many glorious BMW books Saxty’s penned. Get the complete scoop — full with sketches, early renders, and footage — by choosing up a replica your self.
