Domagoj Dukec might 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 right now. 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 spite of everything, everybody is aware of SUVs are what’s in proper now. In Steve Saxty’s wonderful guide 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 an emblem for BMW,” Dukec begins. “It in some way connects with those that say ‘We thought this wouldn’t exist anymore, as a result of automobiles have to vary. They instructed us electrification and effectivity means all the things will appear like a bar of cleaning soap,’” he continues. Which is an effective callback to the origins of the Neue Klasse identify. In spite of everything, the automobile that arguably birthed BMW as we all know it right now additionally featured an understated, however sporty and aerodynamic, look. “We wish to present…{that a} trendy automobile may be extra environment friendly and possibly 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 Kind and Perform
In fact, BMW arguably might’ve completed one thing comparable 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 in some way the important thing, the core concept of BMW.” For patrons involved with the lightning-fast change rocking the automotive business, Dukec thought it was essential to show that “some issues won’t ever change.” He acknowledges that the Neue Klasse’s three-box structure isn’t actually essentially 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. “Subsequently, 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 wish to be a unique face within the crowd. To do this, you need to make one thing that stands out, or it will likely be simply one other one which’s been finished ten instances.”
Straight From the Supply
We predict the Neue Klasse is an effective 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 had been pushed extra by their geometry and stance than their surfacing,” he says. We predict that’s a reasonably correct abstract of what we like about Neue Klasse. Maybe it’s one of the simplest ways to make sure Neue Klasse joins the pantheon of iconic BMW designs.
Quotes had been borrowed instantly from Steve Saxty’s BMW by Design guide, simply considered one of many wonderful BMW books Saxty’s penned. Get the complete scoop — full with sketches, early renders, and footage — by selecting up a replica your self.
