Why is the idea of a BMW van so absurd? \ stacker news ~Design

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368 sats \ 16 comments \ @Design_r 7 Apr Design

This idea has been explored along the last decades. Nothing has never taken the van place in the BMW series. The most successful intent was the 80s' Vixer in the US. Too sporty for a van? Or too luxurious to cover that already saturated market?

Collected some pictures all around, most oof them are designs and prototypes. Tried to order chronologically below:

Now in 2025, this came out of Ai

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18 sats \ 1 reply \ @SimpleStacker 7 Apr

100% of these look horrible, and the instantly recognizable BMW grill does not belong on a van.

If I want a euro van I'm going with VW

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Design_r OP 7 Apr

The redesign of a legend. Obvious! I'll do the same. It's a more classy style. My point with this post was more to explore sporty van design options and why struggle to lad to market. I could ask the same question for Audi. Here few tuned VW, it's plenty:

9 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby 7 Apr

Mercedes sprinter vans are nice.

40 sats \ 0 replies \ @Design_r OP 7 Apr

Playing at the intersection of luxury and utility. I should have added "sport" in the title. And maybe add Audi, Porsche and other sport car brands.

Anyway, I prefer the Vito, a bit smaller

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @Roll 7 Apr

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @Design_r OP 7 Apr

is this a prototype? is missing the driver's door! look's much similar to the second last shared in the post.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Roll 7 Apr

i believe so...

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/bmw-xm-supervan-looks-angry-because-it-s-not-even-a-six-door-cab-forward-cgi-200182.html

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Satosora 7 Apr

The vixen van is still very sought after because it was so well made.

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @fm 7 Apr

We dont need more vans.. We need the T3 back

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @Design_r OP 7 Apr

VW powered by Audi engine? Why?

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @fm 7 Apr

Oh, its the same brand i guess :) VW group has Audi as well.. I know people are putting the tuareg v12 on the T3.. This audi engine is the first time i see one

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Design_r OP 7 Apr

true, nowadays everything is centralized... just marketing shit playing with the good times boomers' memories.

I'm surprised it fits in!

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @leo 7 Apr

BMW makes minivans, the iX, X5, X7 for example. That minivans today are marketed as "SUVs" or similar isn't their problem.

The pictures you posted made me smile, though

21 sats \ 2 replies \ @Design_r OP 7 Apr

well, I'd not really define them as van or not even minivans.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @leo 7 Apr

What would you say is the difference between a minivan and an SUV?

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @Design_r OP 7 Apr

A SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), as the name say, is basically a city version of a 4x4. Look's like a four wheels drive, usually are not. A van instead, is designed for the “work” industry, need to transport and is spacious inside to load whatever. A minivan is a smaller version, like this, either is a wagon converted as a minivan.

Articles like this maybe explain it better.