Have the Germans Finally Mastered Their Design Approach, or Are They Still Adrift? | Carscoops

      Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and VW presented new design philosophies, but were they all successful?

      23 hours ago

      by Chris Chilton

      Germany’s major car manufacturers utilized the Munich Motor Show to unveil fresh design concepts.

      BMW's iX3 marks the debut of the Neue Klasse series, while Mercedes has reimagined its grille.

      Audi refreshed the TT, and Volkswagen's ID. family demonstrated newfound assurance.

      The participation of Chinese automakers added an international aspect to this week’s Munich Motor Show, although the spotlight primarily remained on the well-known German brands and their latest, occasionally unconventional, designs.

      Related: Star-Stricken Mercedes GLC EV Features a Grille Large Enough to Engulf a BMW iX3

      All the major German automakers presented new concept cars and production models that highlighted innovative stylistic directions. It seems we’re witnessing a pivotal moment in car design for premium European brands, following a period of challenges as leading companies sought new ways to reinvent themselves and distinguish electric vehicles from combustion cars, or if they should differentiate them at all. But have the Germans truly regained their design prowess?

      Starting with BMW and the iX3, which is arguably the standout story from the show as it encompasses much more than just a new SUV. The iX3 is the inaugural model in the Neue Klasse lineup and introduces a contemporary design language that will define the brand for the next decade, along with an essential new electric vehicle platform.

      There were some discussions at Carscoops regarding whether the iX3’s profile diverged too much from Munich’s traditional design cues, but overall, it should be seen as a significant success. BMW's designs over the past two decades have often been either unattractive or generically appealing, but now there’s finally a contemporary-looking vehicle with genuine character that successfully draws on the classic appearance of earlier models without seeming like a mere nostalgic copy.

      In our opinion, the iX3’s main competitor, the electric Mercedes GLC, is considerably less impressive. Its body appears soft and uninspiring compared to the BMW's, and while we appreciate the three-pointed star brand drawing from classic inspirations to rejuvenate its famous grille, the illuminated front end of the GLC—which will appear on future models—seems like a last-minute addition here.

      In contrast, Audi’s Concept C exuded much more confidence. Anticipating an electric successor to the TT, which will share technology with the upcoming Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman EVs, it draws from both the TT and Auto Union’s 1930s Type C racers.

      This evokes memories of the exceptionally strong Bauhaus-influenced concept cars Audi showcased in the late 1990s and early 2000s, many of which entered production, and we believe Audi has executed this concept even better than Jaguar's Type 00.

      Volkswagen’s ID. Polo and Polo GTI, near-production variants of what was once known as the ID.2, may seem less revolutionary, but they still indicate a stylistic shift in the automaker that harks back to the enduring shapes and surfaces that made some of its most successful models timeless.

      Consider how fresh the Mk4 Golf looks nearly 30 years after its debut, or the Mk1 still impresses more than 50 years later. The ID. Polo embraces this level of self-assured, timeless style, while the ID. Cross demonstrates that VW can also inject a sense of fun into the same design ethos.

      Now it’s time for our question of the day: do you believe that the German automakers have improved their design strategies, or do some need to return to the drawing board? Additionally, in the contest of the grilles, who executed it best—BMW, Audi, or Mercedes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.