BMW cars, known for their classic round headlights, always have a strong, confident look. This was true for all BMW models, no matter what the rest of the headlight housing looked like. But about five years ago, things started to change. BMW began using a hexagonal design for their headlights, a different but interesting change.
But the changes didn't stop there. Recently, BMW has started using a design with only two lines for their headlights. This new design gives the cars a look that is almost like a scared animal ready to attack. This shift has led to a lot of discussions among fans of BMW cars.
A Shift in BMW's Design Language
BMW's iconic circular headlights and distinctive design elements have long defined the brand. However, BMW enthusiasts have recently noticed a marked shift in the automaker's design philosophy. One Redditor, TheCudder, expressed a sentiment echoed by many fans: "BMW pretty much abandoned every design element which made it distinctly BMW. Everything I always admired about them (design wise) is gone."
The End of an Era: The Departure from Circular Headlights
What led to BMW moving away from their signature circular headlights? Redditor Clintman offered some historical insight, explaining, "After the late 80s sealed beams were no longer a regulated item, so they were free to design headlights in any shape. They still did circles within their headlight designs for a while since it was a feature of their design language for so long."
A Glance at the Global Perspective
Samjogo shared a video about the evolution of headlights, while ExtruDR reminded us that the regulation of sealed beams was a US-only factor. This brings to light the global considerations automakers must take into account when designing their vehicles.
The Strategy Behind the Design Shift
According to Ecsta-C3PO, BMW might be attempting to portray a futuristic and advanced image as the market currently rewards such designs. They suggest that the brand may revert to minimalist, retro designs—including the return of circular headlights—once market trends shift. Confirming this theory, tuffode shared an article announcing BMW's plans for simpler designs in their next generation of cars, the "Neue Klasse".
The Unpredictability of Design Evolution
As throwawayrepost02468 and usernamesherearedumb pointed out, design evolution doesn't always follow a linear path, and brands often balance various elements of their heritage, modern trends, and the need to differentiate from past models.
Redditor thespiceraja reminds us of the evolution of BMW's headlights even within the brand's past designs. They describe how the "angel eyes" concept, which placed circular lights within a single headlight assembly, deviated from the brand's earlier practice of using distinct glass round headlights.
Reflections on BMW's Past Designs
Opinions on BMW's past designs vary among the Reddit community. Some users like SmokinGreenNugs, One_Shekel, and Devadander have expressed appreciation for the designs of the Bangle era, with its introduction of 'halo' or 'angel eyes' headlights and distinctive kidney grills. Appropriate-Earth-17 and Manafont-, however, feel a strong nostalgia for the design of earlier models like the E92.
The Future of BMW: A Speculation
As the brand continues to evolve its design philosophy, enthusiasts can only speculate about the future. Redditor panzercampingwagen suggests that the current design choices are heavily influenced by market trends and sales, with the large imposing grilles symbolizing the BMW brand. DukeoftheGingers humorously sums it up as "Because the future is Now old man!"
In conclusion, the departure of BMW from its iconic circular headlights symbolizes a broader shift in the brand's design language. As BMW enthusiasts, we can only wait and see what the future holds for this iconic automaker.
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