You may not or may well remember Chris Bangle. He became the first American chief of design of BMW on October 1, 1992. Bangle was at BMW for 17 years and developed a styling philosophy that was coined ”flame surfacing”. Traditionalists were sceptical about an American being deployed into a German company for the first time since 1945.
The motoring press were not enamoured with some of the designs generated by Bangle, the BMW 7 Series (E65) was universally accepted to be hideous at the time.
Sadly time and harsh opinions of the E65 haven’t evolved. However Bangle’s influence and ”flame surfacing” has been slowly adopted by nearly all auto manufacturers.
Take a look at the Lexus NX it is clearly adopting the principles of the ”flame surface” design philosophy. Bangles influence and legacy at BMW is also long lasting.
Bangle designed Z9 Gran Turismo concept car which became the 6 series coupe and eventually morphed into the current 6 Series Coupe and Gran Coupe.
Today nearly all BMWs carry the signature elements of Bangle’s ”Flame Surfacing” design philosophy. That’s called leaving a legacy.
