[stein_325i]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

A very interesting video regarding the original X5's design from the designer himself Frank Stephenson (Maserati MC12, Ferrari F430, etc.). Shockingly the initial sketch was done in only two hours on an airplane!

Also notice how he immediatley made sure to draw a Hofmeister Kink and body lines that go through the door handles *cough* G22 *cough*

[AlexFL]

Nice video!

[Dackelone]

Pretty cool!

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Also notice how he immediatley made sure to draw a Hofmeister Kink and body lines that go through the door handles *cough* G22 *cough*

[Stang70Fastback]

I always liked the original X5 design.

[XMetal]

Great video - didn't know the story behind the e53 until this...thanks for sharing. Still loves and enjoying mine, even after 16 years since I ordered it.

[x54sui]

That is a cool video

[Suds]

As a design engineer, that’s inspiring!

[Germanauto]

One of my neighbors has a mint E53 4.6is in blue. It's one of the most beautiful SUVs ever created in my opinion.

E53 and E70 were the best X5s in my opinion.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

One of my neighbors has a mint E53 4.6is in blue. It's one of the most beautiful SUVs ever created in my opinion.

E53 and E70 were the best X5s in my opinion.

Agree, particularly with with the E70, which in my opinion was the best looking of the bunch, although there was a red E53 4.8is on BAT (https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-bmw-x5-4-8is-2/) that is really awesome looking.

The new X5's interior really is amazing, its just such a shame it drives like every other crossover.

[Darth One]

BMW should fire their entire design studio and throw their entire combined salaries into an offer to rehire this man.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Darth One

BMW should fire their entire design studio and throw their entire combined salaries into an offer to rehire this man.

Honestly, I'd also give Bangle a call as even "his" cars looked way better than what they're making now.

[BayE30]

I still admire the look of my e53 when its parked on the street around a bunch of no style modern buckets. To this day the styling stands out, i think even more so because my e53 is white and i keep it clean.

[Drj161]

this is a copy paste of my comment of this vid posted on the g05 thread

for those who watched it, he constantly mentions designing the car so it stays true to the BMW brand and identity. Where was that thought when the designers were creating the new 4? And even the current batch of cars? Gone is the hofmeister kink and gone are the hard body lines on the car. I'm all for evolution, but please stay true to the cars identity!!!!!

[BMWFreaky]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Also notice how he immediatley made sure to draw a Hofmeister Kink and body lines that go through the door handles *cough* G22 *cough*

Amen to that

[Eja144]

As an art director/designer myself, I can attest to the fact that often the best design ideas hit like a bolt of lightning and are completed rather quickly. You know it's good work when it just sort of flows out of you like breathing. What clients don't see in that equation is the constant mental work every designer puts in so they're ready when pen meets paper. The final execution is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of work that goes into great design.

[R N M]

Still best looking X5.

Can they hire this guy back?!?

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by R N M

Still best looking X5.

Can they hire this guy back?!?

He left BMW in 2001 to never come back.

Frank Stephenson is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

[GOLFFRR]

super cool

[lonestar22]

i'm just now noticing the body line on the E53 doesnt separate the turn signal from the taillights like it does on most bmws of the era.

in my eyes the X5 goes as follows

E70>E53>F15>G05

[F8SEVEN]

Cool video. Challenge them while keeping true to brand genetics/DNA...well what happened with the G22?

[stefan]

The 4.8is despite being easily the least reliable BMW ever made is by far one of the most well-aging SUVs on earth IMO.