Which Small BMW Has Leaked - F52 1 Series Sedan LCI or Next Gen G42 2 Series Coupe?

[stein_325i]

Plus no xDrive badging on the rear. This is clearly an "M-Performance" vehicle based on the badge up front and rear, as well as the exhaust, and if this was a 1er it would need AWD right? Only the 2 and 3/4 can be had RWD w/ M-perf.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

There are far uglier cars on sale today from other brands.

So this is what we came down to?
This will be a very immature way of justifying a such mistake, but with the new designs coming up, you might be correct: better mediocre than the last.

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

But everyone is into the big grilles... Lexus, Audi, Toyota. I get the Chinese market drives these design decisions but BMW is not the only guilty party here.

And in a post COVID-19 world, China's economy will likely slow down making a not so attractive place to do business with.

We discussed in a different thread that a monogrille design has certain advantages and this design -if properly addressed- can create a nice machine. AUDI for example managed to create a line of vehicles with a bold but well proportionate design. The angular style worked for them. But doesnt work for everyone.
For BMW the double grill with huge proportions does not work as well; it looks terrible.

Only a very weak, spineless and unoriginal individual (or company) will find excuses like : look, I am not the single one who did it.
In a different way, we are still saying the same thing: BMW is not original anymore. Or, its new originality consists in a mix of trend elements which dumps very important -BMW specific- details that use to define a well known BMW language.

[BimmerLord]

This is 2 series coupe with RWD

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

So this is what we came down to?
This will be a very immature way of justifying a such mistake, but with the new designs coming up, you might be correct: better mediocre than the last.

We discussed in a different thread that a monogrille design has certain advantages and this design -if properly addressed- can create a nice machine. AUDI for example managed to create a line of vehicles with a bold but well proportionate design. The angular style worked for them. But doesnt work for everyone.
For BMW the double grill with huge proportions does not work as well; it looks terrible.

Only a very weak, spineless and unoriginal individual (or company) will find excuses like : look, I am not the single one who did it.
In a different way, we are still saying the same thing: BMW is not original anymore. Or, its new originality consists in a mix of trend elements which dumps very important -BMW specific- details that use to define a well known BMW language.

Seems to me you are wasting your breath on an internet message board.

Have you applied for a designer role at the BMW Group in Munich?

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by R N M

Why in the world is BMW set on destroying its trademark styling cues?!?!
- Angel eye headlights gone
- Hoffmeister kink gone
- Character line through door handle gone
- Proportional kidney grills gone

All that is left is plain Design with Gimmicks (fake vents, scoops, diffusers) and without a BMW badge could be mistaken for Kia, Honda or Toyota.

I am in a total agreement with your statement as I have the same feelings.
Some may argue that BMW “follows the money” or the “trend” which is false and just a weak explanation.
A good designer can play with elements in a modern way as well. Angel eyes, beautiful sculpted double grille, hofmeister kink, all of them can be very beautiful integrated in a modern design. This is where the true talent comes in: being able to retain the DNA design while express it in a very chic, modern, agrressive way (or whatever character you would like to promote).

Porsche is playing the same design template with small variations for over 80 years, yet they proved succesful. For me is too conservative and I am not a fan of their design cues but I do appreciate how they keep the majority of the unmistakable design elements.

[pyrat15]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

I am in a total agreement with your statement as I have the same feelings.
Some may argue that BMW “follows the money” or the “trend” which is false and just a weak explanation.
A good designer can play with elements in a modern way as well. Angel eyes, beautiful sculpted double grille, hofmeister kink, all of them can be very beautiful integrated in a modern design. This is where the true talent comes in: being able to retain the DNA design while express it in a very chic, modern, agrressive way (or whatever character you would like to promote).

Porsche is playing the same design template with small variations for over 80 years, yet they proved succesful. For me is too conservative and I am not a fan of their design cues but I do appreciate how they keep the majority of the unmistakable design elements.

I couldn't have said it better - great comment!

[mbanck]

I also find the taillights/tailgate weird - either the tailgate has a very weird form, or it splits the taillights at a weird point, and at least in the photo it doesn't look like the taillights are split, does it?

[R N M]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

I am in a total agreement with your statement as I have the same feelings.
Some may argue that BMW “follows the money” or the “trend” which is false and just a weak explanation.
A good designer can play with elements in a modern way as well. Angel eyes, beautiful sculpted double grille, hofmeister kink, all of them can be very beautiful integrated in a modern design. This is where the true talent comes in: being able to retain the DNA design while express it in a very chic, modern, agrressive way (or whatever character you would like to promote).

Porsche is playing the same design template with small variations for over 80 years, yet they proved succesful. For me is too conservative and I am not a fan of their design cues but I do appreciate how they keep the majority of the unmistakable design elements.

100% agreed

Porsche have stayed true to their heritage with evolutionary design - new 911 is beautiful car with no gimmicks. They learned their lesson from 996 disaster.

BMW had great styling in 80s and 90s then hit rough patch in early 2000s with Bangle era. Then they went back to traditional styling cues like in the F10 5 series, F30/80 etc. Now its like they lost their way. Huge grills and black diffusers is not “styling” or “design” - its crap!
I was not fan of Bangle era cars but at least they were unique and part of a strategic design philosophy.

[cactusjack]

I expect nothing good from BMW at this point yet im still dissapointed with every move they make.

[ky0u]

It's the debut of the all new, revolutionary BMW 1.5er. To better fill in the gaps in the product line up

[keylime503]

I haven't seen anyone mention the "240" stamped on the red dolly they use to move the car. Coincidence?

[ice31]

Originally Posted by EmirK

Not sure if this is real, but it looks like an updated 1 Series sedan, possibly a new M135i model.

Oh.My.God.
This is absolutely disgusting.

[MrMarioG]

So, what about a BMW X2 Sportback?

[ChrisK]

The front looks like a Z4.

[Ghostriderf80]

Originally Posted by V-Eight

it's the F52 replacement in my opinion.

Nevertheless...it shows an awful chinese design. Totally suprised and worried about where the BMW design is going to.

LOL its sucks so bad. Or this is the new BMW tiburon Hyundai china knock off.

[Ghostriderf80]

Originally Posted by Moflow

You're probably right, but the Chinese market has some weird cars.

Here's the second generation VW Jetta as it evolved. We only got these cars forl one generation in the states, but China? They just kept getting updated versions of the MK2 sold alongside the newer generations. It was sold through 2010.

Ohh that brings memories back. Had a 86 jetta with manual. I mean guys, not paddles but manual. it had teeth missing from the reverse gear and one winter it just did not go backwards. LOL... Also it leaked lots of oil but it was manual. lol

[motorwerkeman]

This design is a horrid mess lost in time.

1. It has grilles that look like they're from 7-8 years ago and actually show some restraint, yet they connect them in the middle for no good reason.

2. It looks to be an M-Performance model, yet the lower grille looks straight off standard non-M G20 and does not have any familiar M-cues.

3. TRIANGLES! We hope you like the triangles from the X2!!!

4. The hood shut line, ugh - won't even elaborate.

5. The headlamps have no relation to any BMW design language at all, and are neither appealing nor aggressive in shape - they just look like blobs that happen to incorporate the latest lighting technology.

My biggest concern is that we are looking at a near-complete M240i.

[advantage20]

For what it's worth at this point, the left side of the trunk lid lacks the xDrive badge that a theoretical Chinese M135i Sedan should be getting

[motorwerkeman]

I really hope your'e correct here. Others have mentioned the dolly on the front wheels points to an FWD architecture?

[Dr.Deep]

There are a lot of discussions on bimmertoday.de about this leak as well...

A lot are thinking it may be the next 2er design, but this is far from any final design (decision) and not at all a real car...
Most likely this is one of several clay models (always have plates) presented to the board and management, for first design impressions, so the final design is rather unlikely...

If you are familiar with car design process, this stage is still pretty early and the board is presented with 5 or more clay models with various design approaches, then they choose one on which to continue the design refinement...so this may be the „choosen one" or the „looser" of the conpetition

[SamS]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

It also looks too complete to be one of the Uxx models.

What are the Uxx models??

[ky0u]

Originally Posted by Daaan

Most likely this is one of several clay models (always have plates) presented to the board and management, for first design impressions, so the final design is rather unlikely...

MFW the clay model has better paint than my actual car

That's really interesting though, I didn't know clay models were finished up that much. Side note, the tail lights remind me of Sid from ice age