In recent times, software labeled as artificial intelligence or neural networks has grown ubiquitous, capable of more than just crunching numbers. They can craft lyrics and music, encode ideas, and even generate imagery from spoken descriptions.
Imagine asking a neural network named Midjourney a what-if question: if BMW had offered SUVs and crossovers during the 1980s, what would those vehicles look like? The answer unfolds below.
What emerges are cars wearing the unmistakable silhouette of eighties BMW design. Sharp angles, round headlights, a concave line along the glass, and a long rear overhang all make a clear appearance. A Hofmeister kink—an arc in the lower corner of the rear window—appears in some renderings, and the overall proportion is paired with generous ground clearance and a wagon-like body style.
These imagined models also borrow cues from era-defining SUVs such as the 1980s Jeep Cherokee and Range Rover, yet their origin as BMWs remains apparent through branding details and design language that resonate with the Bavarian crest. The result feels like a plausible, alternate-history BMW lineup that could have existed in a different decade.
One line of models features sides finished in wood veneer, a nod to classic American luxury packaging from forty years ago. This touch emphasizes a certain prestige and a vintage warmth that contrasts with the crisp, modern lines of the rest of the range.
Another striking render shows a red vehicle with body-colored wheel arches, a detail that signals performance and a sportier posture—an homage to a real X3 M that has been tuned to emphasize agility and speed for a single model year.
Vote — win Lada!
Readers are invited to participate in the Behind the Wheel Grand Prix poll, a lighthearted contest to help spotlight standout car debuts of the year. The activity blends fan engagement with a playful nod to automotive culture, inviting enthusiasts to weigh in on the most compelling new ideas from the imagination and the showroom alike.
As a token of appreciation for time spent, a drawing will select three participants to receive small prizes. The poll welcomes entrants who complete the questionnaire by a chosen deadline, inviting broad participation from a diverse audience of car lovers and curious observers alike.