The Definitive New Books on BMW Design
BMW by Design contains hundreds of unseen photos and designer sketches that author Steve Saxty was granted exclusive access to in BMW’s design archives. This is a one-of-a-kind project that explores the intricacies of how a major car company approaches its designs. Steve Saxty, a multiple-time RAC Book of the Year nominee, chose BMW because of its fascinating – and occasionally controversial – approach to design, always pushing boundaries.
Across 288 pages, BMW by Design unveils an epic narrative, shaped by in-depth discussions Saxty had with BMW’s designers, engineers, and executives. Encouraged by BMW Design boss Adrian van Hooydonk, he spoke freely to all, past and present. Whether you’re a fan of classic BMWs or a modern-day owner, you’ll discover fresh insights into how BMW’s legendary models came to be, with perspectives from the designers shaping today’s and tomorrow’s BMWs.
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Essential reading for every BMW and car design enthusiast
This is the deepest insight into BMW - and how car design works - ever written
This central book in the set, the 280mm square, large-format BMW by Design, is lavishly printed and beautifully laid-out by an award-winning designer in a way that complements the vibrant, flowing text. It raises the bar for automotive books.
The depth of Saxty's words is illuminated by more than 400 photos and design sketches, many of which have been closely guarded secrets until now. Start reading the intro – for free - below!
See how BMW's design
classics were born
Saxty begins in the post-war era, then moves into the transformative Sixties, when an ailing company was revitalized by its stunning and innovative Neue Klasse cars—models whose groundbreaking influence continues to this day. The story gains momentum with the thrilling classics of the 70s, the iconic designs of the ’80s, and the show-stoppers of the ’90s.
How the modern cars were created and what's to come
The story arc of the 3 and 5 Series are covered as well as the Z and M car heroes we know and adore. The tale is told through how BMW designs its one-off concept vehicles and the series production cars they influenced. There’s a first time look backstage at the Neue Klasse cars. See why BMW is driven to push the edge of design.
LOOK INSIDE
Start reading now
for free!
See sample pages from the book that resets the bar for design and quality of research and writing. Click on the cover image to read a selection of pages that span the decades across the chapters.
To see chapter-by-chapter details, and read introductions by the author and BMW Design boss Adrian van Hooydonk, then scroll down.
View contents and
read introductions
Click on the Contents page here to see a brief summary of each chapter and read the Introductions by author Steve Saxty and BMW Design boss Adrian van Hooydonk. The two men explain the background behind this remarkable book that led to a unique partnership between the two. Finally, the author reveals what it was like working alongside the BMW Design team.
LOOK INSIDE
BMW Behind The Scenes
Three-Book Set
For those who crave the ultimate indulgence and knowledge of BMW design, there are just 1500 exclusive copies of the three-book boxed set BMW Behind the Scenes The set contains:
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BMW's Hidden Gems
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BMW Art by Design
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BMW by Design (Author-signed)
Three books supplied in individually numbered cloth-bound boxed slipcase
Art By Design jewel box contains book and envelope enclosing 20 art-quality prints
See details of BMW Behind The Scenes
Steve Cropley
"This is the best quality BMW book I have set my eyes on. That comes from someone who has, over the years, collected virtually all the notable BMW books that have been published. Steve’s book goes further, much further than any other book on the marque, and thanks to Steve’s knowledgeable and entertaining writing style, you’ll never get bogged down reading these books. His behind-the-scenes access at BMW Design is quite unique, it means you’ll marvel at secret BMWs that you will have never heard of or seen before. The quality, weight of the paper the book is printed on, the photographs from BMW’s archives and the artwork from past and present designer that accompanies the words creates a new level of quality."
"After weeks, I've reached the end of Steve Saxty's magnificent three-volume history of BMW's post-war design journey, a tale so chock-full of fascinating new information and unseen designs that it makes me wonder how designers (who superficially seem to lead relaxed lives of thinking, talking and a little light sketching) can handle their workload.
This collection - a design history, a volume revealing a treasure trove of unseen cars and concepts, and a classy image collection of the author's BMW highlights - is the most thorough car design book I've ever seen. We described its content last week, but what we will never adequately describe is the author's intimate understanding of the designers and their motivations, the scale of their achievements and the remarkably consistent 80-year trajectory of the BMW marque itself. There's no need to love BMW to love Saxty's trilogy - it reads like a novel."