Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automotive News Europe
May 29, 2006 01:00 AM

Karl Elmitt, BMW

Jens Meiners
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Not long after he fell in love with cars Karl Elmitt discovered his talent to draw.

    "Combine the two, and it becomes an overriding passion that invariably will lead one to design school," he says.

    He started his career with Volkswagen, where he created the exterior for the fourth-generation Golf, which was built from 1997 until 2003. Since joining BMW in 1998, the Englishman has done the exterior styling for the M3 CSL, M5 and M6. All three are from M GmbH, the carmaker's in-house tuner, and all three are considered iconic vehicles that convey the essence of the BMW brand.

    But Elmitt's goal is to do more than just enhance the looks of BMWs. He dreams of being part of a team that creates an M-badged supercar from a blank sheet, as BMW did with the M1 in the late 1970s.

    Name: Karl Elmitt.

    Age: 47.

    Title: Chief of exterior design at M GmbH, BMW's high-performance division.

    Nationality: English.

    Education: Degree in automotive design from the Royal College of Art in London.

    What do you drive?

    A diesel-powered BMW 3 series coupe.

    What was your first job in the auto industry?

    After graduating, I joined Volkswagen and stayed with the company until 1998.

    What advice would you give someone who wants to become a car designer?

    Carefully choose your art college so that it suits your needs and desires and work hard at networking.

    What misconception do people have about your job?

    People realize fairly quickly that it is a cool job. What they don't realize is that it is hard work, too.

    Which cars do you wish you designed?

    The Aston Martin DB5 and the BMW M1.

    Finish this sentence: When it comes to car design, pedestrian safety rule are:

    Annoying, but such challenges help us to solve all kinds of problems.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Toyota Europe ESG director Monica Perez Lobo to speak at Automotive News Europe Congress
    Related Articles
    Anders Warming, BMW
    Raul Pires, Bentley
    Filippo Perini, Lamborghini
    Martin Uhlarik, Nissan Europe
    Omer Halilhodzic, Mitsubishi
    Gilles Vidal, Citroen
    Lowie Vermeersch, Pininfarina
    Simon Lamarre, Volvo
    Robert Lesnik, Volkswagen
    Andreas Deubzer, Johnson Controls
    Anders Warming, BMW
    Raul Pires, Bentley
    Filippo Perini, Lamborghini
    Martin Uhlarik, Nissan Europe
    Omer Halilhodzic, Mitsubishi
    Gilles Vidal, Citroen
    Lowie Vermeersch, Pininfarina
    Simon Lamarre, Volvo
    Robert Lesnik, Volkswagen
    Andreas Deubzer, Johnson Controls
    Hey carmakers, don't hide your designers
    Recommended for You
    Monica Perez Lobo Toyota 2022
    Toyota Europe ESG director Monica Perez Lobo to speak at Automotive News Europe Congress
    Philippe Houchois, managing director of Jefferies Group
    Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois to speak at Automotive News Europe Congress
    ANE Rising Stars logo 2022.jpg
    Automotive News Europe honors the 2022 Rising Stars
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
        • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us