Domagoj Dukec could now not be the Head of Design over at BMW. Self-described as “an emotional rationalist,” he’s now accountable for design over at Rolls-Royce. However his selections and directives proceed to form notion of the BMW model as we speak. 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 automotive as a sedan. In spite of everything, everybody is aware of SUVs are what’s in proper now. In Steve Saxty’s glorious guide 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 vehicles have to vary. They advised us electrification and effectivity means every little thing will seem like 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 automotive that arguably birthed BMW as we all know it as we speak additionally featured an understated, however sporty and aerodynamic, look. “We wish to present…{that a} trendy automotive might 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 Kind and Operate
In fact, 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 by some means the important thing, the core concept of BMW.” For patrons involved with the lightning-fast change rocking the automotive business, Dukec thought it was necessary to reveal 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. “Due to this fact, everybody within the business 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. “In fact, it’s extra aerodynamic,” he says, “however we wish to be a special face within the crowd. To try this, you must make one thing that stands out, or will probably be simply one other one which’s been performed 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 automotive’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 one of the simplest ways to make sure Neue Klasse joins the pantheon of iconic BMW designs.
Quotes had been borrowed straight from Steve Saxty’s BMW by Design guide, simply one in all many glorious BMW books Saxty’s penned. Get the total scoop — full with sketches, early renders, and photos — by selecting up a replica your self.
