7 Series (E65)

The BMW E65 7 Series, unveiled in 2001, sent shockwaves through the automotive world. Chris Bangle's radical design, with its controversial 'Bangle butt' trunk line and flame surfacing, broke dramatically from BMW's established design language. The reaction was swift and polarized: traditional BMW enthusiasts were aghast, while design progressives hailed the car as a bold step forward. The debate became one of the most heated in automotive history and sparked broader conversations about the role of tradition versus innovation in car design.

Equally revolutionary was the iDrive system, which replaced dozens of traditional buttons and switches with a single rotary controller and screen. Inspired by computer interfaces, iDrive was intended to simplify the growing complexity of vehicle controls. In practice, the initial version was criticized for being unintuitive and overly complex, requiring multiple menu levels to perform basic functions. However, the fundamental concept proved prescient, and every major manufacturer would eventually adopt similar controller-based interfaces.

Beneath the controversy lay an exceptionally advanced automobile. The E65 featured BMW's first use of a six-speed automatic transmission in the 7 Series, active roll stabilization, Adaptive Headlights that swiveled with the steering, and one of the first automotive applications of the CAN bus networking system. Engine options included smooth inline-sixes, powerful V8s, and a majestic 6.0-liter V12 in the 760Li, producing 445 horsepower. The 7 Series also introduced BMW's hydrogen combustion research program with the Hydrogen 7.

The E65 produced mixed commercial results, selling over 327,000 units but failing to significantly close the gap with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Its true legacy lies in its influence on automotive design and technology. The flame surfacing language, refined over subsequent years, would define BMW's aesthetic for over a decade. The iDrive concept, dramatically improved in subsequent generations, became an industry standard. The E65 ultimately proved that Bangle's most provocative claim was correct: playing it safe was the greatest risk for a luxury brand.