BMW's radical design boss quits
Christopher Bangle has had a love-hate relationship with car buyers and enthusiasts the world over. In his position as BMW's Group Head of Design, he and his team has overseen the design and introduction of a long list of concept and new cars that often provoked debate and controversy, yet the company's success is testament to his abilities. Now, Bangle is stepping down.
It's been nearly seventeen years since Bangle took the reins at the BMW Group; a position that includes supervision of the company's other brands, MINI and Rolls-Royce, as well as the BMW motorbikes. Along with continued design work on the marque's key 3, 5 and 7 Series models, Bangle has overseen the introduction of the Z3, Z4 and Z8 sportscars, the new 6 Series coupé and the mildly controversial X3, X5 and X6 SUV models - along with the highly successful 1 Series.
Bangle's legacy lives on though, as his right-hand man for his tenure at BMW, Adrian van Hooydonk, takes over . "I am honoured and extremely excited to take on this new responsibility", says van Hooydonk.
The Netherlands-born, 44-year-old designer's influence has already been witnessed, with the new 6 and 7 Series designed under his supervision, as has the updated Z4 and several concepts.
At the Geneva Show in March van Hooydonk will be under the spotlight as the company's controversial 'Progressive Activity Sedan' makes its world debut in concept format, mixing elements of SUV, estate car and coupé in one new crossover vehicle.
Aged 52, Bangle is far from ready for retirement. He will apparently stick with design, but away from the car industry.
