This Makeover That's Dividing Opinions Will Change the Way You View Audis and BMWs | Carscoops

      A designer's renderings have removed the split headlights from new BMW and Audi models, igniting a discussion online about contemporary design language.

      Digital artist Nikita Chuyko has reworked the daytime running light (DRL) designs for a more classic front-end appearance.

      The feedback online has shown a mix of opinions, indicating a general tiredness with overly styled front facades.

      In the constantly evolving landscape of automotive design, headlights have surprisingly become a focal point. What were once simple necessities have transformed into intricate design elements that divide opinions as much as they illuminate the road.

      Recently, Audi and BMW have adopted the trend of split headlights across various models. While some consumers appreciate the unique aesthetic, others express a desire for a return to simpler designs. Chuyko has engaged with this debate by envisioning these vehicles with a more cohesive lighting setup, resulting in visually compelling interpretations.

      Focusing on Audi, Chuyko, who operates under the name Kelsonik, has applied his redesigns to the Q3, Q6 e-tron, and A6 e-tron models. His approach eliminates the upper headlight sections, where the DRLs are typically placed, instead positioning slimmer DRLs in the lower sections that house the main beams. This change is subtle yet impactful, resulting in a cleaner and arguably more unified appearance.

      Adapting to the redesign may take some time. Our perception is conditioned to recognize a car’s identity through its grille and headlights, making the absence of upper lights immediately apparent. With the DRLs now located lower in the bumper intakes and a broader gap beneath the hood's shut line, the front end appears somewhat unfamiliar. In electric Audis, where the grille is already body-colored and less prominent, the overall impression can be even more ambiguous.

      Chuyko's illustrations were shared on his Instagram and in Russian magazine Kolesa, receiving mixed reactions. One viewer noted that the new configuration emphasizes the car's “cheeks” rather than its traditional “eyes,” while another urged manufacturers to revert headlights to their “normal” placement.

      Following the same concept, last year Kolesa showcased renderings of BMW models where Chuyko removed the DRLs from the BMW 7-Series sedan, X7 SUV, and XM SUV, keeping the rest of their exterior designs largely intact.

      Among these, the luxury sedan exemplifies the concept effectively, appearing sleeker with unified headlight units. However, the overall aesthetic might feel more balanced with the lights positioned slightly higher and a reduced kidney grille. This approach is reflected in Chuyko's recent rendering of a fictional BMW M7.

      BMW is already heading toward a new design philosophy with its upcoming Neue Klasse models, which are expected to abandon split headlights in favor of a sleeker, shark-nose silhouette that honors the brand’s legacy while presenting a more cohesive and appealing front end.