BMW 3-series convertible

Photo: BMW

And the Red Dot for Superior Design Quality went to the new BMW Street Carver fun and sports machine as well as the new BMW Baby Racer. In the words of Chris Bangle, the Director of BMW Design Development at the prize winners' ceremony, "we are of course very happy to receive four awards in one go, especially as they come from a jury of professional experts and colleagues. Clearly, not only BMW customers, but also high-ranking design specialists greatly appreciate the quality of BMW design." 

Out of a total of 1,389 entries from 24 countries, just 37 received the supreme award. And the only vehicles among them were the two "open" BMWs, the 3 Series convertible and the C1. The 26 members of the jury judged the design quality of the products in terms of their innovation, formal quality, function, ergonomics, long life, symbolic and emotional content, quality of self-expression, and their ecological compatibility.  

The Red Dot of the North-Rhine Westphalia Design Centre was awarded this year for the 46th time and is one of the most significant design awards in the world. BMW products have been among the prize winners for many years, underlining the innovative power and continuity of design ensured by BMW's design studios in Munich and with Designworks/USA in Newbury Park, California. 

Together with the other prize winners, the prizewinning BMW products will be on display until 13 August in the special Design Innovations 2000 exhibition organized by the North-Rhine Westphalia Design Centre in Essen. 

The Prize Winning BMW Products 

The BMW 3 Series convertible - Red Dot for Supreme Design Quality 

This new member of the 3 Series family stands out not only through the option to open the roof, but also through the powerful and striking waistline of the car and the "muscular" rear end arousing emotions undoubtedly associated with open-air motoring. The seats with their built-in belt system and the folding roof compartment are further outstanding examples of the car's high level of function and practical value. And the rollover safety system automatically moving up in the event of possible danger enabled the designers to create a car without an ugly rollbar constantly in position. 

The BMW C1 - Red Dot for Supreme Design Quality

Definitely a new concept of mobility in town - the BMW C1, as space-saving as a motorcycle, as safe and comfortable as a car. The passenger cell in aluminium spaceframe technology, the elaborate belt system, and numerous other features protect the driver, allowing him as a result to drive the C1 without a helmet in many European countries. The jury in Essen was impressed by the concept, its implementation, and the many clever details to be found within this unique means of transport. 

The BMW Street Carver - Red Dot for Superior Design Quality 

BMW is well-known for its ability, first, to move into new niches time and again, and, second, to convey high technology from automobile production to all kinds of other products. Both of these strengths are borne out impressively by the new Street Carver, a fun and sports machine for the skater generation simply ideal for "carving" on asphalt. Together with its clear design, suspension components from the BMW 5 Series, innovative materials, and sophisticated steering technology make the Street Carver a genuine innovation in trend sports. 

The BMW Baby Racer - Red Dot for Superior Design Quality

Well over a decade too young to take their driving license, but able to drive a BMW all the same - precisely this is what the Baby Racer offers children between one and three years of age. The latest model comes as standard with soft seat padding, low-profile tires, metallic paintwork and, just like a "real" BMW, of course, with the kidney grille and dual headlights. So the jury confirmed, by awarding the Red Dot for Superior Design Quality, that the design, ergonomics, function and emotional power of this little funcar all live up to BMW's high standard.

(June 21, 2000)