Fans of the BMW brand have probably heard the phrase “Hofmeister Kink” which describes a unique aspect of the German firm’s design since the early 1960s. As it celebrates 60 years of this feature BMW has mapped out 55,000 ways to drive the Hofmeister Kink shape on the roads of America.
Named after engineer Wilhem Hofmeister who first penned it for BMW, the Hofmeister Kink can be found in the curve of the C-pillar of BMW sedans since 1961. It’s one of the longest-serving design features in BMW history and has been seen in no less than 46 different iterations.
To empower fans to drive the kink, BMW engineers used deep learning artificial intelligence to scan the US road network in search of kinks that matched cars. The more than 55,000 curves were then uploaded to a website and app so drivers can search for their nearest kink. The database also allows owners to choose a specific model to exactly match the bend of the road to the kink in their car. The app or website can then deliver turn-by-turn navigation to ensure that you can find the perfect curve.
BMW has embraced the slow movement this holiday season with a 20-minute-long video charting a snowy drive in Austria in the new, electric iX3.