Taken from BMWBLOG.COM:
7 Series Interior designer Nader Faghihzadeh seen here taping
The design of the new BMW 7 Series: the result of keen competition among the best creative designers.
The BMW Group’s process of designing a new vehicle and finding the ideal shape is based on a concept of keen competition. In the development of each new model, several design teams compete with one another in their design of the exterior and interior in a truly creative contest. Made up of designers and modellers, the teams then, in the second phase of the design process, complete models in original, 1:1 size clearly showing the aesthetic harmony of the car’s proportions and surfaces. To do this they use a simple but very important material in the design process - clay.
It is indeed fair to say that only a few car makers attach such great significance to 1:1 models and refine them in such a unique, highly detailed manner.
To conclude this phase in the design process where intuitive and creative design interacts with a straightforward, methodical approach, the clay models are covered with a special film similar to the subsequent paintwork of the final car. This allows the beholder to realistically consider and judge not only the car’s proportions and dividing lines, but also and in particular the surface of the modelled sculpture under all kinds of different light conditions, ultimately choosing the model which fulfils all requirements and complies with the target vision in every respect.
Following the verification of technical requirements already completed by this time, the decision-makers are able to focus in full on aesthetic and emotional aspects in judging and appraising the design models.
On the successful design of the new BMW 7 Series, the model which ulti-mately won the contest, the concepts of natural presence, superior sportiness and precise elegance, as defined in advance, were all implemented in ideal harmony. The most significant and striking expression of the car’s presence is the extra-large, upright and particularly low-slung kidney grille dominating the front end of the car and seemingly standing upright within the body.
The elegant character of the saloon is accentuated above all by the shoulder-line at the side stretching from the headlights via the door openers all the way to the rear light clusters. The rear view, in turn, emanates a combination of power, sportiness and supremacy, the rooflines flowing down dynamically along the flanks of the car to the bumpers and horizontal light edges emphasising the sheer width of the car.
The interior design likewise follows the philosophy of inviting, modern style and charming function, the structure of the cockpit, the choice of materials, the lines themselves and the colour scheme all interacting to give the new BMW 7 Series its characteristic overall look. The result of this consistently applied design concept is an ambience focusing on generosity, superior command of the car, and modern luxury all in one.
The final design phase: optimisation at the highest level. Enhancing the design chosen into a series production car is an equally demanding and challenging task. After all, a sculpture refined by human skill and style is converted in the third and final phase of the design process into a product reproducible by machines in the production process.
The first step in this case is to convert the clay model in a CAD design process by laser scanning into a three-dimensional feasibility model serving from now on as the technical reference point for ongoing development. From now on the final phase of the design process means optimisation at the highest conceivable level. Each and every detail is fine-tuned to the last millimetre in a constant exchange among designers, engineers, modellers and production specialists in order to ensure perfect implementation of the premium standard on the final product in each and every detail.
At this point the designers and modellers show all their creative passion on both the exterior and interior, searching for perfection and proving their finesse in the refinement of all surfaces and lines.
Such refinement of the original design not only enhances individual details to the highest standard following the concepts of specialised design teams, but also serves to perfect the overall impression of the new vehicle so crucial to the car’s design and its emotional impact.
Like every other BMW, the new BMW 7 Series owes its unmistakable character clearly recognisable at very first sight from every perspective to this process of ongoing enhancement and refinement.
The front end:
clear structures and generous surfaces ensuring natural presence.
Seen from the front, the new BMW 7 Series offers a clear, calm and collected appearance through its large and smoothly designed engine compartment lid. The contour lines on the engine compartment merge into one another at the front, pointing towards the BMW kidney grille just like the headlight units peaked towards the inside.
The kidney grille itself sticks out far to the front, ensures a precise and clear- cut look, and is integrated in the front air dam without any seams or openings in between. At the same time the kidney grille, through its upright bars, accentuates the vertical stance of the front end as an essential element giving this new luxury performance saloon particular presence and calibre.
The wide air scoop at the bottom extends across the entire front air dam all the way to the sides. Foglamps in clear glass look positioned far to the outside at the edge of the air intakes serve to additionally emphasise the wide track of the car. This special look is further accentuated by a chrome band bordering on the air intake at the top. Generously designed dual round headlights, as yet a further feature, ensure that concentrated look again so typical of BMW. Indeed, this particular look is outstandingly striking on the new BMW 7 Series, resulting, first, from the corona rings for the daytime driving lights and, second, from an additional lights bar positioned on top of the dual round headlights like an eyelid to provide a particular optical effect at the top.
Yet another new design feature is the direction indicators formed by eight LEDs on each side and arranged in two upright rows at the outside next to the cylindrical light units.
Sculptural surfaces and precise lines at the side. Modern design of the various surfaces giving this luxury performance saloon truly unmistakable character is yet another feature characteristic of BMW in general and the new BMW 7 Series in particular. The combination of skilled craftsmanship, precise technology and a perfect feeling for the unique flair of a BMW creates a truly unique sculptural effect.
The interplay of concave and convex surfaces so typical of BMW generates highly effective light and shade lines accentuating both the powerful and dynamic expression and the refined elegance of the car in every respect and from every angle. A good example is the side area appearing to grow out smoothly and gently towards the rear wheel of the car, without a typical wheel arch in the conventional sense of the word.
The subtle enlargement of the side area created in this way is a particular result of the work done on the clay model and therefore a product of the close and highly effective cooperation of designers and modellers practised within the BMW Group.
Design features and refinement of this calibre call for decades of experience and supreme competence in finding the right design and in the subsequent production of the car’s body.
The long shoulder line adds further elegance to the side view of the car. Directly beneath this precisely chiselled line the side surface is carefully modelled in a highly attractive convex look, while further down on the doors the side surfaces take on a concave curvature. Again even further down, this surface borders on the high-rising doorsill line.
Interacting with one another, the shoulder and doorsill lines give the car a particularly sleek and stretched look from the side. And at the same time the high-rising doorsill line adds the impression of a particularly slender and athletic body.
A chrome-plated gill insert complete with fully integrated side direction indicators between the front side panel and the driver’s and, respectively, front passenger’s door adds a further visual effect and touch of style. The character line of the wheel arch merging gently and smoothly into the doorsill line starts at the front edge of the side gill which, as a particular proportional feature on sporting cars, accentuates the long distance between the front axle and the instrument panel.
Many other details confirm the clear focus of BMW’s designers on precision and individual variability, thus highlighting selected design features in particularly subtle style. The headlight units and rear light clusters of the new BMW 7 Series, for example, just like the side window graphics, are surrounded by frames literally chiselled into the surface of the body.
This again confirms the high standard of craftsmanship and the perfect command of even the most complex production processes BMW has achieved over the years. In particular, this effect emphasises the reverse line at the bottom of the C-pillar well-known as the BMW “Hofmeisterknick”.
The window graphics are exceptionally elaborate and, at the same time smooth and sleek thanks to the particular design and look of the chrome bar surrounding the glass surfaces and made in one piece.
The side view of the BMW 750Li and the BMW 740Li again boasts all these particular design features. With their wheelbase extended by 240 millimetres or almost 9.5″, these long-wheelbase models give even greater emphasis to the superior comfort and, indeed, sheer luxury offered on the rear seats. The extra body length is provided entirely along the rear doors, thus ensuring particularly comfortable and convenient access to the car.
Both long-wheelbase models furthermore feature a uniquely designed roofline and C-pillar contours giving the car a side view clearly related to that of the standard-wheelbase saloon and combined with extra headroom on the rear seats.
Horizontal lines at the rear for a particular touch of power and supremacy. The sculptural design of the car’s surfaces also ensures smooth transition of the side panels into the rear end of the new BMW 7 Series. The striking character line, for example, continues into the lights cover on the rear-light clusters where this particular design is taken up by the graphic design structure.
The rooflines flow across the flanks of the car right down to the bumper, encompassing the rear end by dynamic lines again providing a particularly sporting touch.
Horizontal lines and light edges, in turn, help to give the rear end a particularly powerful and superior overall look. The chrome band positioned above the numberplate support and connecting the entire width of the bootlid from one light cluster to the other is a particularly striking feature. The light edges on the luggage compartment lid and the rear bumper then run parallel to the chrome band, which also surrounds the rear light clusters. The sheer width of the rear end is highlighted and accentuated both by this additional structural design of the rear bumper and by the two reflectors positioned far to the outside.
The two-piece rear light clusters on the new BMW 7 Series again boast the L-shaped contours so typical of the BMW brand. Inside, the rear lights are dominated by wide, horizontally arranged light bars in a three dimensional look rising up from the inside to the outside and thus following the contours of the light units.
Fed by LEDs, the light bars generate a warm and homogeneous lighting effect. The direction indicators also feature LED technology, just as the third brake light positioned on the upper edge of the rear window and the numberplate illumination use light-emitting diodes. Modern, luxurious, inviting: the interior. The interior design and configuration of the new BMW 7 Series combines all features and characteristics destined to make both active motoring and the shortest or longest ride in this outstanding saloon a truly impressive and highly enjoyable experience. Gently flowing contours, high-class materials and stylish colour combinations create an aura of generosity and seductive, modern style in a truly unique ambience. The clear, driver-oriented structure of the cockpit offers ideal conditions for a truly superior experience in the car. Intuitive arrangement of the controls and instruments, in turn, makes it even easier for the driver to mastermind all functions easily, smoothly, and without the slightest confusion.
[1]
7 Series Interior designer Nader Faghihzadeh seen here taping
The design of the new BMW 7 Series: the result of keen competition among the best creative designers.
The BMW Group’s process of designing a new vehicle and finding the ideal shape is based on a concept of keen competition. In the development of each new model, several design teams compete with one another in their design of the exterior and interior in a truly creative contest. Made up of designers and modellers, the teams then, in the second phase of the design process, complete models in original, 1:1 size clearly showing the aesthetic harmony of the car’s proportions and surfaces. To do this they use a simple but very important material in the design process - clay.
It is indeed fair to say that only a few car makers attach such great significance to 1:1 models and refine them in such a unique, highly detailed manner.
To conclude this phase in the design process where intuitive and creative design interacts with a straightforward, methodical approach, the clay models are covered with a special film similar to the subsequent paintwork of the final car. This allows the beholder to realistically consider and judge not only the car’s proportions and dividing lines, but also and in particular the surface of the modelled sculpture under all kinds of different light conditions, ultimately choosing the model which fulfils all requirements and complies with the target vision in every respect.
Following the verification of technical requirements already completed by this time, the decision-makers are able to focus in full on aesthetic and emotional aspects in judging and appraising the design models.
On the successful design of the new BMW 7 Series, the model which ulti-mately won the contest, the concepts of natural presence, superior sportiness and precise elegance, as defined in advance, were all implemented in ideal harmony. The most significant and striking expression of the car’s presence is the extra-large, upright and particularly low-slung kidney grille dominating the front end of the car and seemingly standing upright within the body.
The elegant character of the saloon is accentuated above all by the shoulder-line at the side stretching from the headlights via the door openers all the way to the rear light clusters. The rear view, in turn, emanates a combination of power, sportiness and supremacy, the rooflines flowing down dynamically along the flanks of the car to the bumpers and horizontal light edges emphasising the sheer width of the car.
The interior design likewise follows the philosophy of inviting, modern style and charming function, the structure of the cockpit, the choice of materials, the lines themselves and the colour scheme all interacting to give the new BMW 7 Series its characteristic overall look. The result of this consistently applied design concept is an ambience focusing on generosity, superior command of the car, and modern luxury all in one.
The final design phase: optimisation at the highest level. Enhancing the design chosen into a series production car is an equally demanding and challenging task. After all, a sculpture refined by human skill and style is converted in the third and final phase of the design process into a product reproducible by machines in the production process.
The first step in this case is to convert the clay model in a CAD design process by laser scanning into a three-dimensional feasibility model serving from now on as the technical reference point for ongoing development. From now on the final phase of the design process means optimisation at the highest conceivable level. Each and every detail is fine-tuned to the last millimetre in a constant exchange among designers, engineers, modellers and production specialists in order to ensure perfect implementation of the premium standard on the final product in each and every detail.
At this point the designers and modellers show all their creative passion on both the exterior and interior, searching for perfection and proving their finesse in the refinement of all surfaces and lines.
Such refinement of the original design not only enhances individual details to the highest standard following the concepts of specialised design teams, but also serves to perfect the overall impression of the new vehicle so crucial to the car’s design and its emotional impact.
Like every other BMW, the new BMW 7 Series owes its unmistakable character clearly recognisable at very first sight from every perspective to this process of ongoing enhancement and refinement.
The front end:
clear structures and generous surfaces ensuring natural presence.
Seen from the front, the new BMW 7 Series offers a clear, calm and collected appearance through its large and smoothly designed engine compartment lid. The contour lines on the engine compartment merge into one another at the front, pointing towards the BMW kidney grille just like the headlight units peaked towards the inside.
The kidney grille itself sticks out far to the front, ensures a precise and clear- cut look, and is integrated in the front air dam without any seams or openings in between. At the same time the kidney grille, through its upright bars, accentuates the vertical stance of the front end as an essential element giving this new luxury performance saloon particular presence and calibre.
The wide air scoop at the bottom extends across the entire front air dam all the way to the sides. Foglamps in clear glass look positioned far to the outside at the edge of the air intakes serve to additionally emphasise the wide track of the car. This special look is further accentuated by a chrome band bordering on the air intake at the top. Generously designed dual round headlights, as yet a further feature, ensure that concentrated look again so typical of BMW. Indeed, this particular look is outstandingly striking on the new BMW 7 Series, resulting, first, from the corona rings for the daytime driving lights and, second, from an additional lights bar positioned on top of the dual round headlights like an eyelid to provide a particular optical effect at the top.
Yet another new design feature is the direction indicators formed by eight LEDs on each side and arranged in two upright rows at the outside next to the cylindrical light units.
Sculptural surfaces and precise lines at the side. Modern design of the various surfaces giving this luxury performance saloon truly unmistakable character is yet another feature characteristic of BMW in general and the new BMW 7 Series in particular. The combination of skilled craftsmanship, precise technology and a perfect feeling for the unique flair of a BMW creates a truly unique sculptural effect.
The interplay of concave and convex surfaces so typical of BMW generates highly effective light and shade lines accentuating both the powerful and dynamic expression and the refined elegance of the car in every respect and from every angle. A good example is the side area appearing to grow out smoothly and gently towards the rear wheel of the car, without a typical wheel arch in the conventional sense of the word.
The subtle enlargement of the side area created in this way is a particular result of the work done on the clay model and therefore a product of the close and highly effective cooperation of designers and modellers practised within the BMW Group.
Design features and refinement of this calibre call for decades of experience and supreme competence in finding the right design and in the subsequent production of the car’s body.
The long shoulder line adds further elegance to the side view of the car. Directly beneath this precisely chiselled line the side surface is carefully modelled in a highly attractive convex look, while further down on the doors the side surfaces take on a concave curvature. Again even further down, this surface borders on the high-rising doorsill line.
Interacting with one another, the shoulder and doorsill lines give the car a particularly sleek and stretched look from the side. And at the same time the high-rising doorsill line adds the impression of a particularly slender and athletic body.
A chrome-plated gill insert complete with fully integrated side direction indicators between the front side panel and the driver’s and, respectively, front passenger’s door adds a further visual effect and touch of style. The character line of the wheel arch merging gently and smoothly into the doorsill line starts at the front edge of the side gill which, as a particular proportional feature on sporting cars, accentuates the long distance between the front axle and the instrument panel.
Many other details confirm the clear focus of BMW’s designers on precision and individual variability, thus highlighting selected design features in particularly subtle style. The headlight units and rear light clusters of the new BMW 7 Series, for example, just like the side window graphics, are surrounded by frames literally chiselled into the surface of the body.
This again confirms the high standard of craftsmanship and the perfect command of even the most complex production processes BMW has achieved over the years. In particular, this effect emphasises the reverse line at the bottom of the C-pillar well-known as the BMW “Hofmeisterknick”.
The window graphics are exceptionally elaborate and, at the same time smooth and sleek thanks to the particular design and look of the chrome bar surrounding the glass surfaces and made in one piece.
The side view of the BMW 750Li and the BMW 740Li again boasts all these particular design features. With their wheelbase extended by 240 millimetres or almost 9.5″, these long-wheelbase models give even greater emphasis to the superior comfort and, indeed, sheer luxury offered on the rear seats. The extra body length is provided entirely along the rear doors, thus ensuring particularly comfortable and convenient access to the car.
Both long-wheelbase models furthermore feature a uniquely designed roofline and C-pillar contours giving the car a side view clearly related to that of the standard-wheelbase saloon and combined with extra headroom on the rear seats.
Horizontal lines at the rear for a particular touch of power and supremacy. The sculptural design of the car’s surfaces also ensures smooth transition of the side panels into the rear end of the new BMW 7 Series. The striking character line, for example, continues into the lights cover on the rear-light clusters where this particular design is taken up by the graphic design structure.
The rooflines flow across the flanks of the car right down to the bumper, encompassing the rear end by dynamic lines again providing a particularly sporting touch.
Horizontal lines and light edges, in turn, help to give the rear end a particularly powerful and superior overall look. The chrome band positioned above the numberplate support and connecting the entire width of the bootlid from one light cluster to the other is a particularly striking feature. The light edges on the luggage compartment lid and the rear bumper then run parallel to the chrome band, which also surrounds the rear light clusters. The sheer width of the rear end is highlighted and accentuated both by this additional structural design of the rear bumper and by the two reflectors positioned far to the outside.
The two-piece rear light clusters on the new BMW 7 Series again boast the L-shaped contours so typical of the BMW brand. Inside, the rear lights are dominated by wide, horizontally arranged light bars in a three dimensional look rising up from the inside to the outside and thus following the contours of the light units.
Fed by LEDs, the light bars generate a warm and homogeneous lighting effect. The direction indicators also feature LED technology, just as the third brake light positioned on the upper edge of the rear window and the numberplate illumination use light-emitting diodes. Modern, luxurious, inviting: the interior. The interior design and configuration of the new BMW 7 Series combines all features and characteristics destined to make both active motoring and the shortest or longest ride in this outstanding saloon a truly impressive and highly enjoyable experience. Gently flowing contours, high-class materials and stylish colour combinations create an aura of generosity and seductive, modern style in a truly unique ambience. The clear, driver-oriented structure of the cockpit offers ideal conditions for a truly superior experience in the car. Intuitive arrangement of the controls and instruments, in turn, makes it even easier for the driver to mastermind all functions easily, smoothly, and without the slightest confusion.
[1]
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