The Story Behind BMW's Kidney Grille

Love it or hate it, the kidney grille is BMW's most recognizable design element. Here's how it evolved from a functional air intake to a controversial design statement.

The Beginning: BMW 303 (1933)

The first BMW kidney grille appeared on the BMW 303 — BMW's first six-cylinder car. The narrow, vertical kidneys were purely functional, directing air to the radiator.

The Classic Era (1950s-1970s)

The kidneys remained relatively small and elegant:

• BMW 507 (1956): Wide, low kidneys — one of the most beautiful BMWs ever
• BMW 2002 (1968): Simple, functional kidneys
• BMW E12 5 Series (1972): Established the modern kidney shape

The Refined Era (1980s-2000s)

Kidneys became a design signature rather than just an air intake:

• E30 3 Series: Iconic, perfectly proportioned
• E34 5 Series: Wider, more integrated into the front end
• E38 7 Series: Elegant, chrome-framed
• E46 3 Series: Many consider this the perfect kidney proportion

The Growth Era (2000s-2010s)

Chris Bangle's Influence

• E65 7 Series (2001): Kidneys started getting larger
• E60 5 Series (2003): Wider, more prominent
• Controversial at the time, but now accepted

The Merger

• F30 3 Series (2011): Kidneys connected in the center for the first time
• This became the new standard across the lineup

The Controversy (2020s)

G80 M3 / G82 M4 (2021)

The massive vertical kidneys on the new M3/M4 divided the BMW community like nothing before:

• Supporters: Bold, distinctive, stands out
• Critics: Too large, breaks BMW design tradition
• BMW's response: "We wanted to make a statement"

G70 7 Series (2022)

Split headlight design with illuminated kidney grille pushed boundaries further.

XM (2022)

The most controversial BMW design in history. Enormous kidneys, split headlights, polarizing proportions.

The Illuminated Kidney

Starting with the G70 7 Series and iX, BMW offers an illuminated kidney grille — the surround lights up. This is either:

• A cool modern touch, or
• Peak unnecessary, depending on who you ask

What's Next?

BMW's design language continues to evolve. The Neue Klasse concept (previewing 2025+ models) shows a return to simpler, cleaner kidney shapes — suggesting BMW heard the criticism.

One thing is certain: the kidney grille isn't going anywhere. It's been on every BMW for over 90 years, and it will continue to define the brand — for better or worse.