I Stopped Believing In BMW UNTIL I Saw The 7 Series!
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- čas přidán 30. 05. 2024
- World renowned car designer and designer of the original X5, Frank Stephenson, gives his opinion on the brand new BMW 7 Series.
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Hi all,
If you've watched any of my recent videos on BMW, you will be familiar with my despair at the state of affairs of the design department over there. Most of my reviews have been scathing, but might this be the design that changes my mind on what they're up to?
Thanks,
Frank
#FrankStephenson #BMW #7Series
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:50 First Impressions
02:23 Front End Analysis
05:05 Side Analysis
10:51 Rear End Analysis
14:10 "One thing really bugs me..."
15:15 Interior Analysis
16:30 Conclusion
18:00 Final Rating - Auta a dopravní prostředky
BMW went from some of greates designs to “not as bad as expected”
This
You've nailed it there mate. I used to love their stuff but some of their recent stuff had been shocking.
Think you mean grates
Cool character arc
@@gerardmontgomery280 So true - big grills for the chinese market :,( just sad
I tend to overthink car decisions, so really appreciate BMW's efforts to take all their models out of consideration.
😂
🤣🤣
Very odd commentary...i bet you know it involves much more check lists than just subjective exterior looks. But why i need to bother enforcing taste on you....or your budget range.
@@changsangma1915 please do share. Many of us could learn from your good taste and impressive budget.
@@RussellMiddleton ......one who has its mindset fixated within its bias cannot forsee beyond any words than its own. That being said, its good if you have other preferences, that wont do much to think a brand that found a sufficient market vis a vis China will have some impact by your awkward criticism- "me think bmw do bad design to someone special as me to not buy it".
From a design point of view the E38 is still the benchmark for a 7 series BMW.
I think that modern BMW's are trying to appeal only in Chinese consumers which is not good for the rest of us.
As a Chinese consumer, I feel that the face of the new 7 series looks weird. Looks very much like the Jeep Cherokee. I've been reflecting on whether my aesthetic is out of date.😂 My family still have a E38 L7 at garage, I really like the design of E38.
@@junyangwang6607 Well, if you have an E38 and you follow this channel it means you've got style! Here in Europe OEMs constantly tell us that the reason for this weird designs is Chinese market...
@@michaelvassilopanagos4462 because they are racist. And maybe you are too lol
So because of the Chinese we can’t have good looking cars? Great
The Chinese have no taste whatsoever. After all . . . . .🤓🤓🤓
Your revision to the headlights and the grille massively improves the look of the front end. It's interesting to me that so many vehicles are one or two pen strokes away from looking so much better.
The headlights are something I have definitely seen before on a car called the Pontiac Aztec!
@@SomeGuy_Somewhere there's a redesigned trailblazer too. It was a hit with soccermoms
If the 7 series actually looked like that, it would have been the best looking 7 series since E38
they are absolutely unfixable
Nah it gave it Maserati Quattroporte vibes
The best part of this car is the interior by far. Just because being there you wont see that terribly ugly front.
I can’t understand how BMW could design such a graceless heavy face, splitting the front lights in two just just copying what Citroën has being doing since they launched the C4 Picasso many years ago.
their goal isn t elegance and proportions, if they wanted they would have done a super graceful car, but i think they in purpose made the seven series look more heavy and "solid" , they call it "monolitic design" we can like it or not but it is a precise choice of their designers
Btw yes, it' s a C4 Picasso
No opinion should be given until you see the car in the flesh. Recent BMWs has always been better looking in person.
@@tiberioc1191 read again my comment please. I did not say that the proportions are wrong (wich are great btw) I was just talking about the front design.
And I did not say either that it’s like a C4 Picasso, but Citroën was the first in using that kind of design on their models (and certainly not the only one)
@@Tomoyo0827 I'm afraid I have to disagree. 5he new 3 series looks even worse in person.
What you did by removing the upper light bar and shortening the grill made it look like a true successor to the e38.
I cant beleive how such minor change could make such a significant difference 🔥🔥🔥
Hatts off man, you know how to do it the right way 🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Also shows that the rest of the car is designed very well indeed
Absolutely!
That was amazing.
FRANK DESGINED MY E53 X5 SPORT and it still looks AMAZING and he did it in 6 hours! ON A PLANE! he is a genius!
I agree, the sides and the rear look very architectural and sculpted, the front... It's like two different designers worked on two different cars and in the end came up with a compromise. Your redesign proposal looks absolutely fabulous and gives it almost a wedge shaped look, it vaguely reminds me of a Maserati QP IV. Very nice!
I just discovered your channel after you were mentioned by Driven Media. I wasn't previously familiar with your work, which looks excellent!
I enjoyed your review of this vehicle (I'm not personally a BMW fan) and found it to be quite informative.
I have been involved in the auto industry for quite a few years and have been fortunate to know several top engineers and designers. It's always fascinating to listen to and learn from a professional such as yourself.
Thank you, and keep enjoying the cigars and Scotch!
The interior is a work of art. The same cannot be said about the exterior unfortunately
The back looks nice, a bit like an Alfa. The side looks ok, the front is hideous.
You are joking. That interior is the worst thing I have ever witnessed.
@@spikespiegel2246 your are joking. The interior is one of the best on the market.
@@peterhammer4644 The interior is garbage. Really tired of seeing tablets being slapped to a dashboard Tesla style. It's lazy.
@@CyrilSneer123 Specsarvers alert!!!!!
You didn't mention the odd proportions due to the large frontal overhang.
The nose grew by 10! cm which now gives the car the appearance of a front wheel driven vehicle.
BMW's have always stood for crisp proportions and a dynamic profile.
I don't understand why the front end now has not only become long nosed but also bulky at the same time ...
A compromise made to satisfy safety requirements due to the added mass of the i7's batteries. This was what the design director told me at the launch event in Munich.
Because their biggest market is now in China... So their designs completely changed
yea, that is not a bmw proportionally.
@@mockngbrdy yeah...maybe the crash boxes have to be extended to meet the increasing of weight
I'm fairly sure the Ferrari Laferrari has a bigger overhang
Thank you so much sir, for making these videos because it brings to us normal folk, who don’t necessarily know a lot about design, a lot of insider knowledge as to how this car industry works.
You educate us through your videos.
Keep up the excellent work
Thank you Sion, will do! 👍
I love your analysis on so many iconic cars. And your previous designs! Keep it up sir!
I personally think the overall shape of the car is nice. But that front end...just no.
The grille is absolutely weirdly shaped and the headlight assembly makes it look like a cheap Korean crossover. It's not attractive at all. Especially because the grille is almost as high as its wide. I actually always liked the 2020 7 Series a lot and I hope more people will now appreciate how pretty it actually is compared to whatever this thing is supposed to be. I think the S-Class and A8 took a step back too, regarding their front design compared to their pre-face-lift versions. But compared to the new 7-Series they still come off as much more stately and elegant.
If BMW reached out to you, to design another gen x5 or BMW, would you take the opportunity?
No, no one will. I know you won't.
Any time
I think their current design management team and I are on two different trains of thought… 😉👍
@@FrankStephensondesign I see. There's an animosity between you and BMW design team. I hope they spend sleepless nights over your straight-but-fair critiques of late. Please, keep it up! :)
No animosity Bicot, just different views on design.
thank you Frank, it’s always a treat to see your video uploads, I look forward to your future videos.
I absolutely agree on your opinion about grills and about the screen. Screen MUST be integrated in the surface of the interior - it shows the high level and the harmony. I have X5 E53 2004 - one of the bests car design ever :)
From my point of view, what I see this model 7 series seems like going to Rolls Royce design direction... If you take a glance on this model, you can see the rolls Royce square shape grill with small long head light....
Feels like the rear lights, while well done, are mounted a bit too high for this car, and are a bit too small. That trunk lid is a bit weird too, with that step in the middle giving an awkward surface.
The rear reminds me of some 2010s Lincoln model, because of the boot lid shape and the license plate position. I think it's a very Chinese market oriented design :D
Seems a mix of a 159 and a Renault from the back
Yeah the rear of this car has a sort of economy look. Reminds me of Peugeot 407 or a 90s Toyota Corolla
Spot on - especially the comments and graphic redo of the front grill and headlight area. The cut lines, once pointed out, are something that can never become unseen - OUCH! On the rear license plate area - for USA plates, I do not think they would fit within your redesign "trunklid" suggestion, but the idea is, again, spot on. Fun to share/explore designs with your critical eye - thanks.
Hey Frank, really enjoying these videos on cars that are always expected to have terrific design, but what I'd want to see the most is you make a video on the design on some absolutely regular cars (some of which I absolutely love) the volvo v70, toyota avensis and such. Hope you can make it come true, cheers
Wow Frank!!! Your version of the BMW front end looks a thousand times better!!!!!! Would have been great to see your final design version of the BMW at the end - this is the bit I always look forward to most!
Frank leading the entire design department of BMW would be a major step in the right direction! 👍😎
@@roguewave1060 absolutely 🔥👏🏼
Hell nah looks like a sad rhino once he did that
1. The car's tall and stately proportions are more akin to what you'd expect from a RR Phantom, not an "ultimate driving machine". Once you cut off everything above the lower headlights, as if their upper contour was the bonnet cut line, it almost looks good. Otherwise it's very double-decker-y. I'm assuming the plan is to place a big battery sandwich on the first floor, hence it's a 2-storey car. The amount of sheet metal above the wheels is quite telling. Gigantic wheels and those especially large lips around the wheel arch 9:13 are an attempt to hide tall the profile is. It's practically a truck.
2. The front cut lines are a bloody mess. In some photos even the paint colour between the bumper, hood and fenders looks like a different shade! I don't know, if it's due to the materials taking paint differently or the way their angles work with the light, but the result looks like a poor repair job.
3. The GiantArseGrill™ must go. KIA managed to pull off the conjoined nostrils well, because they were never tall. The BMW version looks like someone sat their fat arse on a photocopier and then drew some headlights on the resulting printout.
4. The lower rear is messy. Again, it's a desperate attempt to avoid the car looking as ridiculously tall as it really is.
Pretty much agreed with all of your remarks. Another commenter has stated that the car no longer symbolizes what defined previous BMW’s; elegance, sportiness and agility. It looks big, bold and imposing. Though it is doesn’t look like a proper BMW. I think the idea is to provide a RR experience at a lower price.
I was thinking that they made the car look a bit too much like a RR. I've always considered the 7 series a "budget" (comparatively) RR but appreciated the distinct design that BMW vehicles had.
I wished I could give you more than just one like
Please go back to only music during the intro. It is distracting to hear it throughout the video as I can't focus on all the subtle points you make. Your channel is one of the best on YT and I am so grateful for how much you've taught me about car design. But I can't rewatch them now because all I'm thinking about is "here comes the drum
fill on 4" or "trumpet solo coming up" etc. Maybe others prefer the music and if so, I understand. Best wishes, and thank you for everything 🙌
Your style of explaining is really great! I appreciate you!
Wow!…. That genuinely hurt my eyes!, what a monster!. Just what is happening within BMW’s design department?
I agree, it’s absolutely horrendous!
too much lgbt people hired
The black one with the black out grill looks less ugly
@@nikoladamjanovic2313 because you can't see the grill
@@frankg2003 I
any chineese car company which is not copying, is doing better design atm, then this.
I am in total agreement that this design finally expresses the core of a modern BMW in it’s overall shape and proportions, and gorgeous lines from headlight to tail light. I love how you focus on RESTRAINT, because this is what makes this design successful. They have stripped away nonsensical elements (hockey stick side trim) and focused on clean lines (that strong shoulder!), BMW core traits (Hofmeister kink looks awesome), and well executed modern details (door handles).
I’m with you about the LCI.
I can’t wait to see how they fine tune this design.
Thanks for an incredible review!
I'm not quite sure what to think of it. It's an improvement over the lineup, but that honestly doesn't say much.
The headlights feel as if someone paired a Citroen C4 Cactus with a 2010 Mustang.
The rear isn't outrageously bad, just kinda soulless to the point where you could stick it on most large sedans without thinking it's not from that brand.
I think the number plate placement might have been an aftertought if certain sizes would have given it a weird "smiley" face, because in this placement it might get dirty very fast, which is somewhat rare for german luxury cars.
I'm glad you mentioned those lips on the wheel arches, it's a terrible trend IMO. Another small gripe I have on the sideview is, that the hood is higher than the side windows.
The Hofmeisterknick does a good job at connecting the lines at the rear, but I really dislike the section around the side mirror where the windshield is placed higher than the side windows - further amplified by them connecting the chrome (?) by having the bottom go full length and the top coming on top of it, rather than having the top part going to the bottom itself. (Sorry for the weird wording).
One last thing I dont understand about BMW's attempt at going with agressive front end looks: why not bring back sharknoses? The E9 was a stunning piece of art and their CLS Hommage looked great using those design cues. I wonder which "marketing analysis" came up with something saying people wouldn't buy those.
As a designer I have to say I really like the straight lines and the good stand overall. The front is, as expected, a no-go again - and I’m sorry to say that as a longtime bmw fan and driver.
There's no class to their designs anymore, it doesn't look luxurious, it almost looks like one of those new smart fridges 😄 and bmw has had so many iconic car designs
@@brethren111 agreed
One thing I would like to say was that a major part of the bmw's design philosophy is that their cars look light and agile . I know that this is the top of the line flagship sedan and it should seem stately , and making the car look light and agile might take away from the "statelyness" of the car . But incorporating the stately presence with a light and agile look is what BMW is known for and have pulled of numerous times in the past , with most recent example of the 2011 7 series .
I would love if you , Frank Stephenson sir would share your opinion with me on the above subject , it would mean a lot to me
Hope you liked my comment
I completely agree with you, 100%! As a matter of fact, I said the exact same thing to a friend of mine this morning. 👍
Personally I think BMW should've created another model line, say a 9-series to go up against the luxurious S-class & Audi 8 series. This would then leave the 7-series to be the light, agile and sporty big-car it once was.
This thing looks heavier than a Rolls-Royce and definitely much heavier than an S-Class 😀
@@lesliejackson5225 9 series to compete with the Audi A8L and the long wheelbase S class, the A class is Mercedes entry level model...except you live in China. Even then, the long wheelbase A class is not much shorter in length than the C class.
@@damilolaakanni The A-class is referring to Audi's A8, not the MB A-class. I'll make it clearer in my reply.
Great analysis! I find the front end is actually pretty nice and elegant. Taking the top headlights away would give it a over dimensional and heavy forehead sort of a look.
I’m not a fan of the big grills when it comes to sedans. Especially how BMW has been doing it lately. The proportions are still too big. I agree. But if you put it in context to the Chinese market and to the other cars in the lineup it does fit in fine. But from a design perspective the proportions are a bit off. And that’s what this channel is about.
I live in Munich so I’ve already seen one camouflaged driving around. Seeing it live on the road reminded me of the boxy looking Rolls Royce - at least from the vibes.
Awesome Analysis as usual - keep it up, Mr. Stephenson!
I’d love to see your take on the new Range Rover and/or Range Rover Sport. As a BMW i3s owner, it’s a polarizing car, but i think one has to own one to appreciate it, i LOVE it!😅thank you Frank, big fan!
What I like the most in this car is the proportions: it seems to me like Bmw is trying to approximate it to Rolls Royce, they might even planning on using the same platform for the next RR: this is just the assumption I get by the increased hight of the bonnet and boot line like we never seen on Bmw but is normal on RR's and its used to manipulate your prescription of the cars length at least in photos or videos.
I agree. This design definitely tries to allude to British prestige cars.
I still don't like it at all...but I see what they're trying to achieve 😂
RR already uses 7 platform
Agreed
Ghost shares the same platform as the 7
That's what I was thinking during the video. If anything, it looks like futuristic rolls royce.
I do agree with his analysis and I feel like headlights, grill, back license plate and the thick chrome on knick (the rear of the greenhouse) let down the rest of the design so much...
I love BMW, I had a 2007 Z4 which I miss, and now drive a 2014 535i which I think is beautiful. I like everything but the front of the new 7. I’m not really a fan of BMW’s new design elements in general. I’m now leaning me towards Mercedes because their cars are beautiful.
Licence plate on the tailgate sucks to be fair. Think about it, what happens if you open and close your trunk when you got the licence plate on the tailgate ?
@@bertrandronge9019 not to mention it would not work for the North American market as the plates are more square... and yes they do tend to rattle when on the deck lid like that.
The headlights look like a slimmed down pontiac aztek
I love that you are running Shark Wheels on your longboard. Another great piece of engineering design.
Just stumbled across this video and this channel. After watching the above, subscribed without hesitation. Finally someone putting into words my sense of Bmw design pros and cons over the past 20 years!!
Thank you T!
It could just be that BMW are so ahead of the curve that we’re all too simple-minded to appreciate, or at least understand, their current design philosophy. It’d be an interesting exercise to revise this period in BMW’s history 10-15 years from now. Frank, a suggestion for a future video: a retro analysis of controversial designs from the past that have stood the test of time.
A look back at controversial designs of the past would be fantastic.
Not likely Danny. Only a few of us know the real truth GAJ…Mercedes Benz 2040 has sent a designer back from the future to infiltrate BMW Design and destroy them.
Nice failed attempt at being condescending. Beautiful design doesn't take a bunch of blind fanboys trying to convince us this is a cutting edge future design trend. The iX, i4 and this i7 are simply ugly.
The BMW design of the early 2000s where exactly what you describe, Bangle was the designer wasn’t it? Hated by many back then but in hindsight maybe exactly the breath of fresh air bmw needed. Or maybe we just got used to it, who knows
@@Dark_Vader888 But you completely misinterpreted my comment. It was a legit thought. If you want my personal opinion, I am not a fan of their new design language. But BMW didn’t come down in the last shower, so clearly there’s something going on in Germany that the rest of us aren’t privy to.
It is such a blessing to live in an era where you can see the faces and hear the voices of the people who made works of art (in this case cars) without needing to be in the same place as them. My father was a car design enthusiast and when he saw Horacio Pagani in person in 1992 he couldn't believe it, and now he can't believe his son is seeing Frank Stephenson spreading out his wisdom through a screen. It's really something unbelievable, thank you Mr. Stephenson for your work and your time here in CZcams.
Love your design breakdown videos! And your background music is so damn funky and soulful!
As almost always I agree with most of the analysis, thank you✌️👌 If I was potential 7 series buyer I would wait for the face lift of the front fascia. Interior is brilliant and gorgeous.🏆
SIR. this is THE video all i ve been waiting for since the 7 was released .
thank you so much.
Great review Frank as always. Personally, I detest the split headlight trend that is sweeping the car world. It achieves nothing on this 7 Series. The grille shouts lack of confidence, and the remainder of the car is a bit BMW bland, although still professional. But that front end is awful. Your front design, as always, is far better.
Split headlamp / DRL is awful design. Looks very insect-like.
It works with Hyundai and ONLY Hyundai.
@@tiagomnlmnl I beg to differ. However, at least it is innovative. But for no benefit.
Now I’m not a designer or anything, but I do think the front looks great maybe if the grille was smaller by %30 it would be a perfect front end
The rear though, I hate those tail lights, idk what it is with almost all 7 version but I think it’s the same guy still designing the rear end on these cars, the F90 M5 rear is absolutely 🤌🏻 chefs kiss, have that guy in charge of design he can clearly cook unlike the current designer of the 7 who parks in disabled zones because he’s BLIND
What's weird to me is BMW historically would have such consistent design language across their line up within each generation of those respective line ups. Rewind the clock 10 or 20 years, and often the common cliched criticism was "identical sausages of different lengths." Something BMW enthusiasts actually liked; the same great design concept, available in different sizes to suit individual needs or wants. Now when I look at the current Z4 vs the X//M, it feels like the design language does not stay consistent across the brand, in fact to me they feel quite different almost as if a different team designed them all together.
Also I really appreciate your insider's perspective as well as your attempts to mind read what the company's design intent is going into the future. That brings a very unique aspect to your channel. Thank you!
Cheers Mr Beck!
My favorite BMW design is the 2000 to 2006 BMW X5 E53 that Frank designed. It still looks fresh 20 years later.
I had one until some idiot crashed into me earlier this year. It got totaled. Seeing me depart from my E53 felt like a breakup in a relationship. It sucked but now I got an E46 and definitely love her! Can’t wait to get the other old school BMW’s!
It looks very bad these days. Granted, not as bad as this G70, but still cheap to look at. E70 gave the 53 so much flesh.
@@misterxmistery7424honestly one of the most badly aged bmw imo. Actually i don’t really like any of Stephan’s designs that he has done in his career no disrespect. Only design I can think of that I like is the cosworth. X53 just looks washed and trying to mimic the e46 but just doesn’t have the simple timeless design
The E38 whips this ugly car all day long. My first impression was that it was a Chrysler 300 with a BMW badge on the front. it's a brick. I agree that a smaller grille and merging the 2 headlamps together would be an improvement. The interior isn't too bad though.
The E38 is and always will be a superior design.
It was an elegant , stately , timeless design.
A German Jaguar, done the BMW way.
A masterpiece !
Can't beat that !
E38 is the most beautiful bmw ever
Your analysis on the front was spot on. Removing those squinting lights up top and having the hidden lamps but still with the halo effect at night would have been perfect. Great point on the hidden popup noir. I liked how you showed it and simultaneously trimmed the grill. Did you see what happened though when you did that? It looks like a rolls. I don't know if there is a internal conflict in management that is forcing some of these design choices simply to differentiate between their mutual stake in rolls and bmw. Also, companies in general are pushing their grill graphics as the differentiator of their brand, as cars today don't have a lot differant about them, especially with lamps. Ironically bmw invented the "euro" style lamps (2 circles on each side) which after everyone copied, they started to get loud about their kidney grill.
Couldn't agree more about your front end suggestions. OTOH, the rear numberplate looks much more modern the way BMW did it.
It's closer to BMW but still looks like a cheap Hyundai imitation, which I would never have thought I would say about a BMW
Absolutely love Franks idea of removing those running lights
This time I have to disagree - Of course I could never compete with you on a professional level as a designer, so you could always argue you were right anyway, but in the end the cars must hit the taste of the customers and also the fans, since the flagship represents the brand, also for the drivers of the lower positioned models.
Being 42 now, and having been a true BMW supporter for more than 35 years, I just have to say that they've lost me completely now. Overall, the new 7 series looks bulky, not elegant at all. And it's about the shape, the size (almost 5,5 metres long!) and nearly all of the details. It fits perfectly next to this iX4 in my eyes. You made a very good point on that one, that it looks more like a furniture or a building, some other piece of design but not like a car, and that's my feeling with this 7 series as well.
The front reminds me of a Jeep Cherokee or a Citroen, so you cannot even say it was a new approach - it's new for a luxury sedan, all others have put this strange face only on rather unconventional cars, where it fits much better, although it isn't nice on them either. The back is pretty much carried over from an Opel Insignia (latest generation).
The interior is just overdone - this effect here, that eyecatcher there... and the design is just random, could be from any other manufacturer. It gives me a feeling of sitting in a living room of a super rich Russian: There is everything available what is and looks expensive, but it lacks any style and cosiness.
This also summarizes my main problem with all new BMWs, but especially this new 7 series:
Where has the style gone?
I agree. When I was in HS a few years back (college student now) I had a teacher that I would always talk to, he was a life long bmw fan too, he has 2 e30’s rn and has owned basically every gen of 3 series except for the last gen and the current gen. And he has the same belief, i had him as a teacher when bmw started to go downhill, wasted a lot of class time talking about it hahah. So sad to see an amazing brand try and emulate Lexus and Audi and merc, we like older BMWs because they aren’t mercs and Audis, they handle great, should be understated but pretty asf at the same time, bmw is successful because they aren’t merc or Audi, they are the true German sports sedan makers. But they have definitely lost their way.
You were a true supporter since you were 7? Yeah makes sense
@@geozarak4679 and before. I collected each brochure I could get (I kept them until today), I was happy when I was taken on a drive in a BMW, and enjoyed visits at the BMW dealer very much. It has always been my brand, so my disappointment about the current development could not be bigger.
Don’t be mistaken Björn, I agree with you on all your points. Similarly, I have a passion for BMW since my earliest memories of cars and it’s emotionally sad for me to see this decline in their design language.
@@NOrlando952 Word up Nick!
3:30 - it looks really good without top lamps. My personal impression on new BMWs is that they look unfinished - like somebody had an idea and then they just went for the design without making it final. I had some thoughts that they might want to stand out again - because since 2000' BMWs started to be more and more similar to other cars.
3:31 wow that makes a HUGE difference, looks actually really good
100% agree on the awkward cut lines in the front 3/4th view. Would love to get your take on how car companies can better hide seams & your opinion on the 5-Series LCI with shadow line trim, which I believe has one of the best looking BMW front ends, specifically because the hood line goes all the way to the lights and grille.
It's not completely vomit inducing... 7.7!
I think he did. Getting rid of the top running lamp would fix it. You'd end up with normal bumper-to-wing/fender line. The two lines would easily meet. Or better, you can curve the line so they don't have to meet at an angle.
Shows you what a mess that split light design made.
Your observation about screens is spot on. It is almost as if the dashboard design department and the screen design department are operating from different buildings. This goes for all brands with the exception of 2022 Cadillac Escalade.
Well the trend nowadays is “floating screens”. I highly doubt it was bad communication or a mistake, they especially tried to make as little connected to the dash as possible. I think I understand this, they probably wanted everything in the cabin to feel light and smooth and making the screens look partially sustained by only air helps this effect.
It's sad as a BMW enthusiast because there's going to be a couple decade gap of cars that won't be desirable (assuming they are righting the ship soon) for those of us who like to avoid the depreciation. Snatching up a 3.0 CSi when they were cheap in the late 80's will always be the hero moment for my dad, my son won't have an equivalent opportunity. I suppose, however, we should at least give BMW their dues for still building coupes and sedans. Thanks for a sanguine video on a sore subject Frank!
I feel the same. It's sad times for us all. It just lets me know that I should never get rid of my E92 ///M3. It feels like they are attacking the Enthusiast to cater to people without taste.
really nice and deep design breakdown! thank you 🙏
I think the grill is really the only thing I struggle with on this one. The rest of the strange elements are growing on me as I look at it. Shrink the grill 30% and it’s likely something that goes from not awful to downright good looking
And change the shape of the grill too, then I'm with your statement
The grill will “grow” on you soon enough. Pun intended!
The thing is you can make something really beautiful adjusting the grill, deleting the top row of lights. A shame BMW signed off on this weird front, again!
What they should have done is make the grille smaller and the headlights bigger.
The subtle tweaks you have made to the front and rear have made the design far better resolved. It looks coherent and has that classic BMW austere look. Its a shame you don't work for BMW anymore. I love the brand but their recent designs leave a lot to be desired.
When I was a kid I used to look at the BMW Z8 and immediately fell in love with it. Then... EA come with NFS's BMW M3 GTR and I started to get really interested on BMW. The first X5 I saw was crazy! I never look at something like that it's a sport/luxury car turn into a suv and then the 1 Series Hatchback BMW was getting some attention freom really beautiful designs... Now when I see the M3 and those horrible giant grills everything changes...
Even just the lil edit without the top lamps looks SO much better
Loved your review, Frank! I'd like to see your opinion about Lucid Air. It's the same class as BMW 7, but with way different approach.
Yes! Lucid Air is freakin amazing design-wise.
After taking my first engineering design class, I have much more respect for designers in general. But now I understand why my fellow engineers love squares.
The running lights looked weird until I saw them with the two tone paint schemes. They suddenly made sense.
I love these videos. Its nice hearing about car design from another designer. I designed several cars from Acura like the Type R Integra and the NSX.
Edit: The most important comment for me: TRY TO INTEGRATE THE SCREENS INTO THE DESIGN ELEMENT, and not let it be a stuck-on laptop screen!
I was so surprised by how much better and 'authentic BMW' the car became when the crystal DRL was removed from the front of the car. Although I can understand the design about the placement of the license plate - there are countries that have absolutely FUGLY license plate design/color that will 100% break any car design element, and moving it to a visually less prominent position would minimize the damage the license plate will cause. I'm almost positive that most domestic Chinese car buyers will appreciate the placement of the rear plate.
I hope BMW designers watch this and make notes. Alternatively, can Frank go back to BMW and help them?
I honestly don't think they'd even want to. They don't seem to WANT to make cars look good - because especially the last generation of BMWs has done nothing to achieve that. Who knows what they're gunning for - if they even know themselves. But it's not good design, pretty cars or upholding their values and traditions.
Every time i see this design, i can't stop thinking about how cool a front it would be if they only used the bottom half. Like if they used the design from the bottom lights and down with a slightly smaller grill on the 3-series for example...... can't help to feel that it's a missed opportunity
saw one in Munich few weeks ago, gotta say, you can just tell its something expensive. Fit, finish and materials are out of this world kind of quality. That said, BMW novadays is the epitomy of "You had to make it weird"
Grazie, Frank!
I love to see your insights, especially being a BMW owner (E82 coupé & E84 - both which I continue to enjoy).
I recall first seeing the separated DRLs above the headlamp scheme on a Hyundai or Kia years back.
It has never sat well with me ever since.
You’re too kind Frank - very briefly, the design leaves me numb.
The front continues with the awful deep grille and an overall design that is simply too busy.
The overly deep grille also impacts on the car’s side view, rendering the front looking
too “blunt”
The light arrangement is totally wrong with running lights above the main - confusing almost.
Finally I fail to understand the design team with this latest version and more so the Executive Board which signed it off
BMW knows its demographic-- and we're not it. Unless you're wealthy, young, and living in China.
As I'm repeatedly told, it's not ingenious design or impeccable engineering that get you paid in this (or any other) business. It's the sales number that counts.
You're right. It's a blunt instrument for blunt but rich people.
And you know what, the design team is also right. There are loads of them.
You mention giving a score from 100 feet away and it made me think of cars that I've completely changed my mind on in person versus in photos. The Ioniq 5 recently gave me that feeling. The details look sharp in photos, but kinda clunky in person and the size is so much larger than what it looks in photos. The previous generation of the BMW Z4 too: I thought it looked boring in photos, but the surfacing was so well done that it jumped to 9+ for me in person.
Is there a car you remember changing your mind on when you saw it in person?
Hey Frank, Excellent review of the BMW i7. I'm seriously considering the purchase of the 2023 BMW iX M50. Great VALUE for the money. As an English as a Second Language teacher, I need to point out the grammatical error you made when speaking about the i7’s backup lights at approximately the 13:45 minute when you said “MUCH MORE BETTER!” As you know, you should have said, “MUCH BETTER” or “BETTER.” I could have let it slide, but like you, when you're evaluating the design pros and cons of a vehicle, everything is fair game.
You’re absolutely right Daniel! I agree, it’s gooder to say it as you describe! Having sayed that, if you know me you’ll know that English is really my second language, no excuse though.
Wheel arch lip is IMHO added to mask the vertical distance between the arch and the bonnet/hood, which makes it look like a Rolls Brick than a sporty design. While I like thin horizontal taillights, it became such an industry standard that it looks unoriginal on what is supposed to be a stand-out design.
Thank you as always for sharing your perspective. Overall for me, I understand packaging concerns etc but it feels like two or even three separate cars stacked on top of each other and then the surfaces were sown together. Too many steps in the volume if that makes sense...Does it need to be this tall? Probably.
I really like it. Hadn’t read any of the peoples comments until today, i was surprised that people still dislike it so much.
That’s a face only it’s mother could love.
Not a fan. The headlights bring to mind the first version of the new generation Jeep Cherokee and various current Asian SUVs. That extreme design style is not aging well, and now BMW has committed to it for several years. Also, the overall shape reminds me of a Chrysler 300.
Yes!!
bmw owned by rolls royce, see rolls royce phantom. this had to be a cheaper version of that. lucid air, mercedes eqxx, etc
First thing I thought of too - take away the BMW badge and it's a Chrysler 300.
It looks like a German version of a Kia 🤮
I agreee. Also, Hyundai Kona has similar headlights. I think, new BMW 7 series is a mix of few typical BMW elements with a lot of "asian" cheap looking elements. Together - it doesnt work.
I absolutely agree regards the screens in modern cars. Ive been saying it for years and I'm surprised that manufacturers continue to have them look like Ipads stuck on the dashboard. I find it a little odd.
This car is an exceptional design until you get to the oversized, out of proportion grill, the separated headlights, and the position of the tag. If they can overhaul those then this is close to a 10.
I'm SO THANKFUL you weren't on the team who dedigned the front end. And bro, say what you will but I was turned off at first about losing the "iconic" halo DRLs....UNTIL they added the shimmer effect with the crystals. That's COOL and unique. Too bad they don't do that during driving.
I was dying to see your review on the new 7 Series.
Knowing BMW, they may remove the top lights as part of LCI. Then again I don’t think I know BMW anymore..
Had two W222 S classes, loved them, was sure to get W223 until I saw it’s design…easily can be mistaken for C class lol. Just ordered 2023 BMW 7 series though…Love this modern aggressive design! Cant wait to pick it up
I miss -- and thoroughly enjoy -- your car reviews. Do you have a new one coming soon?
Frank, you have the best car-related channel on CZcams by far. Speaking of this car, it's actually pretty good.
It’s definitely very good. Do you ever watch anything on SketchMonkey’s channel?
@@jaymuffinz his points are somewhat mediocre, but I enjoy the basic design content
Even though it’s weird I like it because it brings something new. That being said, if they just removed the lower part it would look cool with big grill and high thin headlights
I wish bmw would take a look here! They could learn a lot :)
by the way your bmw designs back when you were with them are my all time favourite 🙌🏼
You should make a video about the E32 and the E38... the two best 7 series designs ever that look way more timeless and elegant than these Cyborg-like cars.
Wow, you’re render of the 7 series looks really good. If the grill, and headlights would be placed a bit higher, then this would be a very stately, beautiful, and kind of nostalgic car!
I like your take on it. I think they could have gone a retro futuristic route with the 7 and then the side profile would match the rest of the car better. The front and rear are the only things letting it down right now but it looks like there is hope for the facelift of this car.
Great analysis as always. As a prior bimmer owner, I have to say I just freakin hate that grill and don’t know what they are smokin to see anything desirable in that design. There’s a lot I like but another observation would be that it now seems to sit much higher and boxy and more in Rolls or Bentley territory and less sporty. I am so glad you expressed dislike for the “bolt on” infotainment screens, which unfortunately have become all the trend since Tesla arrived on the scene. I agree it should be integrated, especially at this price point. Take cues from Porsche, Mercedes, Audi and even kinda the new Caddy.
@FrankStephenson:
You‘re alsolutely right with your design critique points.
For example, I‘ve always wondered why the current rear end design doesn‘t look really BMW-like anymore - even though far not as bad as the weird front design. The reason is the changed position of the license plate. With the plate on its usual position the rear design looks not only better and more BMW-like, but you additionally reduce visually the volume of the (very high) back and also increase the visual width through the undisturbed (by the plate) rear bumper.
In my view, the BMW kidney‘s width ALWAYS - as a principle - must be larger than its height to look best. On the upcoming XM (a it has got a polarizing design too, I know), they have done the kidneys by its proportions(!) (maybe not by its overall size) right again.
What you did with removing the upper portion of the headlights made the front look SO MUCH better.
i think it just looked a bit droopy and sad tbh
In my opinion, the Headlights look like a Hyundai Kona. I'm not impressed. It would have been nicer with 1 row of headlights for sure.
For me, the grill is the deal breaker. I just can't get over the tackiness of the mostly fake grill. It is a cheap way of trying to portray the car as big and powerful. I also don't like the headlights split like that. If I am looking at the car front as a face, the headlights would be eyes, but in this case it is confusing what the lights are. The rest of the car I generally like.
I absolutely agree
Sir I listen to you and practice my car design accordingly 😌 you r an teacher to me . Love u a lot sir
Although this a step in the right direction, I think the front end from the 3/4 view ruin the whole car. To me, the front end looks too long, too tall and too heavy, which gives the car an air of clumsiness rather than the agility one comes to expect from a BMW. Not a bad looking car, but it still doesn't match the the grace of the e32 &e38.
I liked Bangle's 7 too. I don't hate this one but all the predictable, industrial design tricks annoy me. I've seen this stuff in Car Styling books since the 90s.
Man, the first thing I thought when I saw those headlights is how much better it could have looked without the top DRLs, and your render confirmed my suspicion. Such a missed opportunity. I really dislike the split headlight fad going on at the moment
Would love your take on the GOODWOOD Cars.. McMurty (fan car) 0-60 in 1.5! .. the m3 touring… and any other design classics that caught your eye! Great videos as always!
Love the photoshop redesigns. Really cool to see your ideas as you explain them. Would be great to have a quick alternate design at the end of these videos, regardless, I awlways learn something about design on this channel; I too very much dislike the flat surface around wheel arches, never understood it as a design choice.