Edgar Heinrich Named New BMW Motorrad Design Studio Director

BMW Motorrad Design Studio

January 31, 2012 – Edgar Heinrich was named as the Director of the BMW Motorrad Design Studio, starting July 1, 2012, succeeding David Robb in this position.

After completing his university degree in design, Edgar Heinrich started his career as a motorcycle designer with BMW back in 1986. Within the BMW Group BMW Motorrad Design Studio, Heinrich was Head of Vehicle Design Motorcycles under the overall direction of David Robb from 2007 to 2009.

In July 2009, Heinrich’s career took him to India. As Vice President Product Design with the Indian vehicle manufacturer Bajaj Auto LTD, he currently heads up the styling and model studio, responsible for brand definition and brand strategies for two-wheel and four-wheel design.

During his time with BMW Motorrad, Heinrich was responsible for such vehicles as the first four-valve boxer models, including the R 1100 RS and RT, the K 1200 S and R, the HP Megamoto and the victorious Paris-Dakar racing machines.

The successful R 1150 GS and R 1200 GS were also created on his drawing board.

Under his direction, the motorcycle design team created the S 1000 RR, the F 800 / 650 series, the G 450 X and also the BMW Custom Concept study. Heinrich was even involved at the start of the design development of the 6‑cylinder touring bikes and the new maxi-scooters.

Motorcycles take up a large part of his leisure time, too. His passions include modifying sports bikes, restoring and collecting vintage models and in particular riding motorcycles himself, both on and off the road.

As Edgar Heinrich himself says: “I am very pleased to be returning to BMW Motorrad and having the great opportunity to be involved in shaping the two-wheel future of the BMW Group with an outstanding team.”

“Edgar Heinrich is an excellent motorcycle designer and passionate motorcyclist who has already made key contributions to BMW Motorrad design in the course of his many years of experience. I very much look forward to collaborating with him to take BMW Motorrad design to ongoing success in the future,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design.

David Robb, the previous head of the BMW Group Motorcycle Design Studio for 18 years, has left the company.

Under his leadership, the design team elaborated the development of the BMW Motorrad product portfolio from three to a current total of six model lines, as well as creating the extensive product range of BMW Motorrad rider equipment and motorcycle accessories.

The first motorcycle designed under David Robb’s direction was the BMW K 1200 RS. This was followed by such models as the first BMW cruiser R 1200 C, the innovative K series with transversely mounted 4-cylinder engine, the F series with 2-cylinder parallel twin and the most successful BMW motorcycle of all time, the travel enduro R 1200 GS.

The design concept of the latter is regarded to this day as the benchmark in the category of big enduro bikes.

Recently, there were additional highlights such as the BMW motorcycles with in-line 6-cylinder engine, the K 1600 GT/GTL, and the BMW superbike S 1000 RR. The first BMW maxi-scooters C 600 Sport and C 650 GT only recently saw their world premiere in autumn 2011.

Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design, said “I would like to thank David Robb for his many years of successful work and wish him all the very best for the future.”