Two car designers, one classic BMW, and one of the most infamous road races in the world—sounds ripe for a buddy comedy from the 80s, but it was actually the 2011 Mille Miglia: featuring BMW designer Adrian van Hooydonk, Swiss industrial designer Alfredo Häberli, and a classic 1930s BMW 328.

What do a bunch of turtleneck wearers know about auto racing, scorpion bites, and bribing Carabinieri? Actually, van Hooydonk took part in last year’s race, and this year the BMW team set out from Brescia on the 12th, reached the staging posts in Bologna and Rome, and made it back to Brescia by the 15th, without ending up in jail or any Weekend-At-Bernies-type shenanigans.

The BMW 328 was chosen as this year is its 75th anniversary—it debuted in 1936, and is one of BMW’s most famous prewar cars. ”For me the race was a first,” said Häberli. “I was particularly delighted to be driving in the Mille Miglia with Adrian van Hooydonk. Plus, it was a tremendous opportunity to get a close-up look at the many classics taking part. They all combine emotion with functionality – two criteria on which I also place great value.”

BMW sought fit to commemorate the designers’ triumph by designing (get it?) an expensive leather jacket for the occasion, which they donned during the race to increase their street cred (and to attract the ragazza davvero bella). The two presumably survived without incident, and will be sure to enter next year with typical Germanic focus, dedication, and charm.

The next generation of the MINI Cooper will be the most dramatic change from the past since the new MINI was introduced in 2001.

Described as a, “bigger design leap than the last one,” by BMW Group design chief Adrian van Hooydonk, that’s not saying much with the current model and the original new MINI nearly identical.

Still, according to a report by AutoCar, MINI brand design chief Anders Warming says his team will start from scratch for the latest model. In addition, MINI is reportedly working on a new interior design that could see a move away from the highly-stylized, yet often criticized novelty-sized central speedometer.

The larger change, however, will come under the hood with reports suggesting the Cooper will be powered by a new turbocharged 3-cylinder engine.

[Source: AutoCar]

In a recent interview MINI design boss Adrian van Hooydonk admitted that the BMW sub-brand is looking at expanding with new models in the future. “Because Mini is on the threshold of turning into a proper brand, we will be looking at a pallet of models for the future,” he told AutoCar.

But that’s not to say we’ll see a new lineup of funky and fun-to-drive models any time soon. On the contrary, while MINI is looking to build itself into a completely separate entity from BMW, the recent decision to share the third-generation new MINI platform with the upcoming 1 Series means that there’s no rush. The reduced costs associated with sharing this new platform have bought MINI time, allowing the British brand to focus on what it wants to do, rather than what it needs to do to hit certain sales and volume targets.

Van Hooydonk even commented that as long as the brand stays true to its core values, “We can’t do all sizes of car under the Mini badge.” This is perhaps an admission that there’s truth to the rumor of a 7-seater MINI.

Currently MINI is preparing to launch a new Coupe and Roadster model, with word that the Beachcomber Concept will see production beyond that.

[Source: AutoCar]

BMW will bring its Gran Coupe concept to life, its first foray into the “four door coupe” segment currently en vouge with German manufacturers.

BMW has yet to decide on a name for the car (“…we don’t know what to call it yet,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW’s head of design), but the revival of the famous 8-series nameplate is a possibility. The concept indicates that the design of the Gran Coupe is almost finalized, and the dashing looks will carry an appropriately premium price tag as well.

While BMW has made a big effort to promote their MegaCity electric car project, the Gran Coupe represents a 180 degree shift away from a small, eco-friendly urban vehicle, as BMW looks for a flagship to join the 6-series two-door coupe and the 7-series luxury sedan.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Chris Bangle, the man behind the controversial BMW designs over the last several decades has announced he is leaving his post at BMW after 17 years. Bangle became the Director of the BMW Design Group in 1992 and has since become one of the world’s most famous infamous automotive designers.

Under Bangle’s leadership BMW has produced many new designs including the BMW Z3, BMW Z4, BMW X5, BMW Z8, BMW X3, the new BMW 6 Series, the BMW X6 and the BMW 1 Series. Bangle’s design department also developed the designs for the new MINI and the Rolls-Royce Phantom (at least he got one of them right). Bangle will more likely be remembered for the drastic new direction that he took vehicles like the BMW 7 and 5 Series in. He is also responsible for several new 3 Series designs.

Bangle will be replaced by Adrian van Hooydonk, the currently Head of BMW Automobile Design, who Bangle has worked with for the past 17 years.

“Christopher Bangle has had a lasting impact on the identity of BMW Group’s brands. His contribution to the company’s success has been decisive, and together with his teams he has mapped out a clear and aesthetic route into the future,” said Dr Klaus Draeger, BMW AG’s Board Member for Development.

Bangle has announced that he will not only be leaving BMW but the automotive industry in general, to pursue alternate design interests. He has stated, however, that he intends to keep close ties to BMW.

Caption: Adrian van Hooydonk

Bangle describes his replacement at “truly a top professional in our business,” adding that, “I am sure that the many strong design strategies he has helped us create for the BMW Group will continue to develop and evolve.”

Van Hooydonk, 44, was born in the Netherlands, studied at Delft Polytechnic University in Holland and at the Art Center Europ in Vevey, Switzerland, until 1992 when he went to work for BMW. In 2000 he went to California to work at BMW’s Designworks USA offices. He then was promoted to Head of the Brand Design Studio for BMW Automobiles. In his new position he will be responsible for design development for the BMW, Rolls-Royce and MINI brands.

His influence is already obvious on the 6 Series and 7 Series and he was highly involved in the Z9 concept car, the M1 Hommage and the stunning BMW Concept CS.

“I am honoured and extremely excited to take on this new responsibility“, said van Hooydonk. “BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce produce the best cars and motorcycles in their segment, and I am really looking forward to being able to contribute to the future development of these brands. I have no doubt that there are challenges ahead, but BMW’s depth in engineering and the passion of its talented design team are as strong as ever. Together I am sure we will be able to create some very sophisticated and extremely attractive concepts.”

Official release after the jump:

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