Hofmeister kink: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Hofmeisterknick-e36.jpg|thumb|right|Hofmeister kink on a [[BMW E36]].]] |
[[Image:Hofmeisterknick-e36.jpg|thumb|right|Hofmeister kink on a [[BMW E36]].]] |
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The '''Hofmeister kink''' (sometimes also translated '''Hofmeister kick''', German: '''Hofmeisterknick''') is an [[automobile design]] feature seen on modern [[BMW]]s. It is a bend in the [[C-pillar]] of the car, which is the piece of metal that separates the rear side windows from the rear glass. The kink formally debuted<ref name="bmwusa">[http://www.bmwusa.com/uniquelybmw/design/detail BMW USA website]</ref> on the [[1961]] [[BMW 1500]] at the 1961 Frankfurt auto show and was named after then-BMW director of design, [[Wilhelm Hofmeister (automobile designer)|Wilhelm Hofmeister]].<ref>[http://www.channel4.com/4car/ft/feature/retrospective/1178/6 Channel 4 (UK) retrospective, see image caption and first paragraph]</ref> |
The '''Hofmeister kink''' (sometimes also translated '''Hofmeister kick''', German: '''Hofmeisterknick''') is an [[automobile design]] feature seen on modern [[BMW]]s. It is a bend in the [[C-pillar]] of the car, which is the piece of metal that separates the rear side windows from the rear glass. The kink formally debuted<ref name="bmwusa">[http://www.bmwusa.com/uniquelybmw/design/detail BMW USA website (click on Hofmeister kink)]</ref> on the [[1961]] [[BMW 1500]] at the 1961 Frankfurt auto show and was named after then-BMW director of design, [[Wilhelm Hofmeister (automobile designer)|Wilhelm Hofmeister]].<ref>[http://www.channel4.com/4car/ft/feature/retrospective/1178/6 Channel 4 (UK) retrospective, see image caption and first paragraph]</ref> |
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Apart from its pleasing visual effect, the Hofmeister kink is said by BMW<ref name="bmwusa"/> to subtly highlight the fact that all BMW models have rear-wheel drive (or all-wheel drive biased to the rear). |
Apart from its pleasing visual effect, the Hofmeister kink is said by BMW<ref name="bmwusa"/> to subtly highlight the fact that all BMW models have rear-wheel drive (or all-wheel drive biased to the rear). |
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Revision as of 23:38, 14 June 2007
The Hofmeister kink (sometimes also translated Hofmeister kick, German: Hofmeisterknick) is an automobile design feature seen on modern BMWs. It is a bend in the C-pillar of the car, which is the piece of metal that separates the rear side windows from the rear glass. The kink formally debuted[1] on the 1961 BMW 1500 at the 1961 Frankfurt auto show and was named after then-BMW director of design, Wilhelm Hofmeister.[2]
Apart from its pleasing visual effect, the Hofmeister kink is said by BMW[1] to subtly highlight the fact that all BMW models have rear-wheel drive (or all-wheel drive biased to the rear).
Note that this design feature is not unique to BMW models. Similar C-pillar kinks have appeared on cars of other brands both before 1961 and since. For example, the 1951 Kaiser shows a considerable "Hofmeister kink" in its greenhouse design. However, the term "Hofmeister kink" is usually used in reference to BMW automobiles, as it has become a distinctive styling cue used across all BMW model series.