MARKEFKA ON THE TASK OF EVOLVING AN ICON
‘THIS IS A DRIVING MACHINE that was our guiding headline when we designed a new 3-series. It has typically rear-wheeldrive proportions, with a long bonnet, a short front overhang and a cabin that sits towards the rear wheels, giving the car a dynamic appearance. The 5-series’ appearance is more about autobahn speed, the 7-series about relaxation – the 3-series has to look eager for corners.
‘The broader track widths were deinitely an opportunity – we were asking for these! The larger wheels too. They help to emphasise the proportions.
‘We started with initial ideas from our Design Works studios in the USA and Shanghai as well as Europe. Designing the new 3-series was challenging but also very fun. All of the features we wanted are here – there were compromises and discussions between departments, but none that changed what we wanted to do.’