Calvin Luk has been one of the most important designers at BMW in recent years. Having penned the refreshed 1 Series Hatchback, which dramatically improved its looks, Luk has been one of the favorite BMW designers among many fans. He is also the man responsible for the new BMW X1 and now the new BMW X3. In this video, Luk describes the new X3’s styling and goes through all of its design elements, to really give a better understanding of it.
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We start out with the Kidney Grilles, of course, which are now massive. However, thanks to their geometry and the geometry of the nose panel and hood, they now protrude out a bit and have more of a 3D shape to them. It really gives the front end depth and looks bolder than before. There’s quite a bit of sculpture to them now, rather than just square grilles. That sort of sculpture exists not only in the grilles but also in the headlights and taillights. As Luk mentions, BMW has always had quite sculptural form language and that’s present here as well.
Down the side of the car, there’s a muscular shoulder line that creates a shadow down the side of the car. That ends just before the flared rear wheel arch and continues after it. This accentuates the rear wheels and makes it look more muscular. If you look at both wheel arches, they aren’t perfect circles either. They’re chamfered to give a more modern, aggressive and powerful look, rather than just circular arches to fit the wheel.
In the interview with Luk, he uses the word “rugged” to describe a few things. Even in BMW’s press release, that word comes up a lot. It seems as if BMW wants the public to realize that this new X3 isn’t just a suburban cruiser, it’s a proper little SAV for people with active lifestyles. It’s an interesting interview and really helps us learn a bit about BMW’s newest X3.
Doesn’t surprise me a bit, the parental link between the X1, this and the 1 Series LCI is obvious. He should’ve putted more X1 elements in this though.
Somewhere at BMW, they are playing a drinking game with the word “technical.”
I listen to designers spew this kind of nonsense all day long. They have to say something I suppose.
This ‘design language’ is really annoying. How to speak a lot and say nothing. They have to work on that imo.
Other than that, the car looks so big. Bigger than the original X5. But, what a looker! X3 is really going upmarket.
They did such a great job on the new X3. I really love the way it looks. The details are simply incredible. For instance there are “X3” badges on the inner side of the doors. That’s something you’ll hardly ever see, but it really shows what the philosophy was for the X3. It’s more than 1 step up from the previous gen X3, which I personally liked as well. This is by far best-in-class in every single way. I’m sure it will demolish the VW Q5 and even the Merc GLC, just like the G30 does with its competition! :D
Also, this car has such a well executed vent behind the front wheel section. The execution is so much better than the hockey stick elements in G11/12/30 which frankly look more like an afterthought.
Door pads are also merging seamlessly to the dashboard and is giving a continued flow to the theme.
Some people are finding the grille a size too big but to my eyes it looks just perfect. It provides the much needed ‘imposing’ heft to the front that most customers demand from an SUV.
The grille execution would be a more challenging factor in case of upcoming X7 which will have acres of spaces to be filled up in the front.
I agree, the Kidneys are perfect imo and I think people who find them to big right know will get used to it and eventually they’ll like it as well. The side air vent is indeed very beautifully executed. However I do like the way they did it on the G12 and G30 as well.
Calvin Luk has won quite a few fans in last couple of days.
This Aussie made sure that X1 wasn’t any stroke of luck and simple smashed the goalposts out of the stadium with the new X3.
Way to go, sire !!
BMW is lost in terms of design no wonder Karim Habib left.