pundit
03-31-2007, 05:04 PM
It appears BMW have been taking notice of all the anti-Bangle sentiment out there... :) :) :)
Volkswagen did it with the Beetle, Mini (BMW) did it spawning a remake of the movie the "Italian Job", now BMW is preparing to re-release retro versions of it's most successful and admired models.... the classic three series E30 & five series E34.
The E30 & E34 are still regarded by many BMW afficiendos as two of the best vehicles the marque has ever produced. It appears the company is finally admitting that not everyone is particularly emamoured by Chris Bangles design philosophy and is adopting the approach that everything old can indeed be new again.
BMW says while the 'new' E30 and E34 models will be unmistakable in their appearence, they will of course comply with all current safety & emissions regulations. BMW have been secretly the developing the 'new' vehicles for the past three years which are due for release around July 2007.
Marketing manager Heinz Kleinfeld says the vehicles will be designated E30 MK2 and E34 MK2 but will not replace the current 3 & 5 series vehicles...
"...Chris Bangles' designs undoubtedly took BMW in a new direction and it has been a great and successful partnership. But we have acknowledged the publics interest in classic BMW design and feel the we can accomodate it successfully in both a marketing and commercial business sense. Of course I think you only have to look at the success of the Mini to realise that a large sector of the market is indeed embracing timeless styling. There is little doubt that the re-emergence of Chrysler in the market place has a lot to do with the companies blending of classic retro styling with modern technology and if BMW can successfully cater for that market then everyone can benefit..."
www.car-news.com/april_2007/press_release/bmw_00264.html
Volkswagen did it with the Beetle, Mini (BMW) did it spawning a remake of the movie the "Italian Job", now BMW is preparing to re-release retro versions of it's most successful and admired models.... the classic three series E30 & five series E34.
The E30 & E34 are still regarded by many BMW afficiendos as two of the best vehicles the marque has ever produced. It appears the company is finally admitting that not everyone is particularly emamoured by Chris Bangles design philosophy and is adopting the approach that everything old can indeed be new again.
BMW says while the 'new' E30 and E34 models will be unmistakable in their appearence, they will of course comply with all current safety & emissions regulations. BMW have been secretly the developing the 'new' vehicles for the past three years which are due for release around July 2007.
Marketing manager Heinz Kleinfeld says the vehicles will be designated E30 MK2 and E34 MK2 but will not replace the current 3 & 5 series vehicles...
"...Chris Bangles' designs undoubtedly took BMW in a new direction and it has been a great and successful partnership. But we have acknowledged the publics interest in classic BMW design and feel the we can accomodate it successfully in both a marketing and commercial business sense. Of course I think you only have to look at the success of the Mini to realise that a large sector of the market is indeed embracing timeless styling. There is little doubt that the re-emergence of Chrysler in the market place has a lot to do with the companies blending of classic retro styling with modern technology and if BMW can successfully cater for that market then everyone can benefit..."
www.car-news.com/april_2007/press_release/bmw_00264.html