As designers, we get excited about small but crucial details. This article is about a small but significant detail that has been part of BMW sedans for more than 80 years, the Hofmeister Kink.
The Hofmeister Kink represents one of the most enduring and emblematic features in the history of automotive design. This element of the marque’s identity is characterized by a distinctive, forward-canted curve at the base of the C-pillar, creating a notable deviation from the conventional greenhouse silhouette.
This design signature is named for Wilhelm Hofmeister, who presided over BMW’s design department during a pivotal era for the marque. Its first application was on the 1961 BMW 1500, a model that is credited with establishing the paradigm for the company’s compact executive sedan category.
Since its introduction in 1961, the Hofmeister Kink has been systematically integrated into the C-pillar design of all subsequent production BMW models, undergoing stylistic evolution while remaining a consistent feature. Its purpose, however, extends beyond mere aesthetics. BMW has consistently asserted that the Kink functions as a visual cue that subtly emphasizes the vehicle’s rear-wheel-drive architecture and inherent dynamism.
This continuous design lineage is evident throughout the brand’s historical portfolio and has been a feature on many of the company’s most significant models. It was introduced on the foundational BMW 1500, the segment-defining BMW 2002, and has been retained through every subsequent generation of the 3-Series, which remains a cornerstone of the brand’s modern identity. Thus, the Hofmeister Kink remains a fundamental component of the brand’s visual identity, cementing a legacy that has spanned over six decades.
