The Story of the BMW Kidney Grille

BMW’s iconic kidney- shaped front grille is one of the brand’s most recognizable design elements. This grille design is an important symbol that BMW has carried from past to present and has preserved prominently in every model. Here is the story behind this unique design:

BMW's kidney-shaped grille was first introduced in 1933 with the BMW 303 model. This model was also BMW's first car to feature a six-cylinder engine. The kidney grille was designed to provide aerodynamic efficiency and aesthetic appeal.

### Post World War II Period
After World War II, BMW further developed its grille design and began using thinner and wider grilles in the models it produced in the early 1950s. The models produced during this period made significant contributions to the kidney grille becoming the brand's identity.

Modernization and Technological Innovations

By the 1980s, the kidney grille had acquired sharper lines and a more distinctive appearance. During this period, the grille had become more than just an aesthetic element, but also a functional component that regulated airflow and helped cool the engine.

Present and Future

At the beginning of the 21st century, BMW began to make bold and innovative changes to the design of the kidney grille. In particular, in electric and hybrid models, the kidney grille began to be used not only as an air intake, but also as a design element that improved the vehicle's aerodynamics and energy efficiency.

The Meaning and Importance of the Kidney Grid

The BMW kidney grille is a symbol of the brand's innovative approach to engineering and design. Both functionally and aesthetically important, this grille appears in different sizes and shapes in every BMW model, but always carries the same recognizable identity.


The BMW kidney grille has become an icon in the automotive world. Thanks to the brand's deep-rooted history and its constantly innovative approach, this design element will continue to be an integral part of BMW's identity in the future.