In recent years, there have been numerous discussions around the design of new BMWs, and not only that. The reason? In addition to the excessive dimensions of some models, the element that caused the most debate is undoubtedly this this famous grill, which has become very noticeable on some models.

However, sales do not seem to prove the critics right, with at least 2.1 million cars registered worldwide in 2022. Satisfactory figures for a high-end manufacturer, which can thus prove the brand right, but that doesn’t mean the next BMW will adopt the style of the current models. Vice versa.

To greater simplicity?

This was said by Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW’s design director, in an interview with the British magazine Top Gear. “We don’t ignore comments”– said the Dutch designer, adding that in the future, “BMW will have a more streamlined design”.

During his interview, Adrian van Hooydonk was obviously talking about the famous radiator grille, that double bean that has always been a hallmark of BMW and that has changed in recent years, becoming longer, wider, thinner, illuminated, etc. And, obviously, the transformation of this grid is not yet complete.

“I think in the future it will be important for our design to be more optimized. We will design the grille according to the proportions of the car as a whole or according to the expression we want to give it.”– said the brand design manager.

The first element of the answer is in 2025

To illustrate these words, the BMW iVision Dee concept car presented at CES 2023 can already give some clues about the future design of BMW. This is a mid-size sedan concept with dimensions similar to the dimensions of the 3 Series (4.71 meters) with an unobtrusive radiator grille that can even almost “disappear” thanks to the play of light. The rest of the style seems to go towards minimalism, with a very smooth pencil stroke and the absence of “aggressive” lines.

The production version of the iVision Dee will arrive in 2025 and will be the first BMW to use the Neue Klasse platform, created for 100% electric vehicles. Hence, we are not ready to say that this will be the upcoming 3 Series, but this model should give serious hints about the turn that the brand will make from an aesthetic point of view.