BMW Lovos concept makes Chris Bangle look drab
BMW Lovos Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
It must be fun to be a car designer. Unless, of course, your name becomes synonymous with a specific styling trend that very few seem to appreciate... but we digress. It definitely seems that 24-year-old Pforzheim University graduate Anne Forschner had a good time coming up with her BMW Lovos concept, which can alternatively look either like a frightened porcupine or svelte salmon, depending on its needs at the time.
The exterior of the Lovos – which somewhat ironically stands for Lifestyle of Voluntary Simplicity – is theoretically constructed from just one fully exchangeable part that recurs 260 times. Each exterior piece is covered in solar photovoltaic cells and can hinge on a substructure underneath to follow the sun or act as individual airbrakes. We can only assume the concept would be powered by electricity, as it makes our hairs stand up on end.
See the concept in all its glory in our gallery below and check out the rest of the story (in Russian or translated) at cardesign.ru. Thanks for the tip, Greg!
Gallery: BMW Lovos Concept
[Source: cardesign.ru]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Paul 7:31PM (9/25/2009)
That is bad as S**T!
Realistic? No. Inspirational? Yeah. Totally.
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Mr Higgens 7:37PM (9/25/2009)
+ 1
It may not be what is considered common or ever beautiful but as a design exercise you have to give it credit. amazing
Jono 7:50PM (9/25/2009)
This thing looks like a cheese grater, and as a BMW fan and owner next month, this looks terrible.
zamafir 1:49AM (9/26/2009)
thank you jono, especially following the mid engined hybrid concept.
this feels like a 6 year old's design
"it'll have solor power... and scales... and the scales will brake... cuz everything hasta have like two functions... cuz it's awesome!"
yuck.
fmwso 3:23AM (9/26/2009)
I have to agree with jono and zamafir, damn, this thing is really ugly. It looks like a porcupine.
Chris O 12:51PM (9/26/2009)
In an age when it seems like most of the designers seem content to keep the status quo, I think this is a great exercise in creativity.
It'll be interesting to see if this designer goes on to great things, or if he will go on to pen the 2014 CrossTour :p
PiCASSO 1:32PM (9/26/2009)
What's next after these snake scales? Bird feathers? Dog fur?
GOT 10:39PM (9/26/2009)
Very cool looking concept. Obviously impractical, but a great design study.
KA 7:38PM (9/25/2009)
Speak for yourself. Some of us appreciate what Bangle did to the industry -- we'd have some pretty boring and drab designs if it weren't for him. Of course, opinions vary, but I wouldn't go so far as to say there's a consensus.
On topic: I love what BMW is doing with shape and form. This and the GINA concept are incredible.
Does anyone remember that show Viper? This sort of reminds me of that -- how it could change its skin by flipping tiny hexagons all over the car.
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admin 7:48PM (9/25/2009)
um, BMW didn't create this...
Paul 7:48PM (9/25/2009)
You are a VERY distinct minority. The consensus is pretty solid among enthusiasts who've been surveyed, ad nauseum. Bangle's reign at BMW was, generally speaking, a failure.
KA 8:26PM (9/25/2009)
Whoops, misread it as a BMW project. My mistake.
I'm sorry, I just don't buy that Bangle was a failure. He completely pushed car design in a new language -- look how many designs copied him. Now, I'm not saying that the fact it was copied means it's undeniably "good" (which is, of course, subjective), but in this case, I really do think it was a case of mimicking because they liked it.
Don't underestimate how well-respected Bangle is, and in 10 years time, his designs are going to be the ones we remember as having a *positive* impact. Well, that's my prediction at least.
I really think the difference is American enthusiasts (who probably tend towards traditional, more conservative designs) versus designers (who are looking for something that adds a different flavor to the mix).
Philthy 8:28PM (9/25/2009)
Where are these enthusiast surveys you speak of? And how about a survey of the target market? Bangle's designs coincided with a sales surge in the USA, where their market research said buyers wanted something that looked exciting and stood out from the Merc/Lexus/Audi crowd. That doesn't sound like a failure to me at all. Nor is the fact that BMW hasn't exactly backtracked from flame surfacing since Bangle left; it's toned down but still features on their newest designs.
Andy 10:14PM (9/25/2009)
Agreed - also, many other auto makers have borrowed BMW's Bangle cues, so in retrospect, the styling was actually influential.
AJerman 3:52AM (9/26/2009)
I'm with you KA. I personally loved Bangle's designs. Being the owner of an E92 335i, I constantly get compliments on my car, so it can't be too bad. Also, I think the E60 5 series BMWs were some of the best looking cars on the road. Now, the 7 and 1 series I don't like as much, but I still don't see how so many people can dislike his designs. As much as I like older BMWs too, the current 3s look light years better than the E46s, which I really liked as well. The sedans are a bit boring, but the coupe looks amazing.
Now, on the contrary, designs like this one make me shake my head and wonder why my money is being wasted on such a ridiculous waste of time.
jg 11:59AM (9/26/2009)
Isn't it true that Bangle designed the E46 and not the other later Bimmers everyone hates?
artandcolour 7:48PM (9/25/2009)
they're totally gorgeous. they're probably even genius. they're the B.A.T.s of the 21st century. they're works of art. the way the scales/flaps/particles blend into the wheels on the top one is stunning. imo anyway.
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F50 7:41PM (9/25/2009)
I like the Fiat Coupe. And thats a Bangle design. But I don't like his BMW Designs much(except the 3 Series maybe)
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artandcolour 7:48PM (9/25/2009)
I think this could be thought of as BangleSquared/PostBangle. His leadership and vision obviously led to this design freedom/integrity. While the man is gone, his thought process has morphed into the next generation. This is Bangle's Essence, as taught by the master. This is design clarity given free reign. This just might be the next normal. Car Design 2.0 .
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dsgnr 8:49AM (9/26/2009)
Totally agree. I think you perfectly hit her point.