Chris Bangle’s now famous Flame Surfacing made its debut in the form of the BMW X-Coupé at the 2001 North American International Auto Show
It was one of the most surprising and controversial introductions of the 2001 North American International Auto Show: an off-road sports coupé with no definable category, a multi-purpose ‘Sports Activity Vehicle’ – and from BMW, no less.
It was the BMW X-Coupé.
The X-Coupé was based on the X5 chassis and had an aluminium body stretched over it. It was four-wheel-drive with a 3.0 litre, 184 horsepower, six cylinder turbo diesel engine (Yes, diesel was once considered the engine of the future). BMW also installed its signature stability enhancing systems: All Season Traction (AST) for the all-wheel drive, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC-X) and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
But, blah blah blah, nobody cared about the technical specifications. It was the highly sculpted body, designed by Chris Chapman, which drew everyone’s attention.
The X-Coupé was energised with curving slashes of character lines and bold surfacing – both concave and convex – which BMW and Bangle called ‘flame surfacing’. BMW’s press release noted:
“Surfaces developed by the flame surfacing technique are reminiscent of the forms of energetic flames, such as those from burning gas under pressure. The idea goes even farther, capturing high-energy contrast between the random motion of the fire and the rational command of this phenomenon by humankind, and translating that into lines, shapes, and surfaces.”
This content is available to subscribers only | Sign in
Unlock exclusive design knowledge, inspiration & connection.
Knowledge
Inspiration
Billed as $194 annually
Other currencies: £149 / €179 annually
Available to new subscribers only
Knowledge
Inspiration
Connection
Billed as $259 annually
Other currencies: £199 / €239 annually
Knowledge
Inspiration
Connection
Billed as $389 annually
Other currencies: £299 / €359 annually
Explore more subscription options.
For help with individual user subscriptions please contact:
Eric Ng
Eric.Ng@ultimamedia.com
For help with multi user subscriptions please contact:
Angela Yang
Angela.Yang@cardesignnews.com
Two remarkable coupés, the Bertone Delfino and the Zagato Zeta 6, presented an alternate future for Alfa Romeo GT cars
