BMW Group DesignworksUSA: "Elegance and Style fused with Function" in the 2009 Dassault Falcon 7X cabin

Geneva, May 14, 2009... BMW Group DesignworksUSA and Dassault Aviation
announced their latest successful collaboration, the interior cabin of
the new Falcon 7X business jet. The Falcon 7X with the new interior by
DesignworksUSA made its global debut at EBACE 2009, in Geneva on May
11, 2009. EBACE is the flagship forum for the European business
aviation community to find products and services from the world's top
vendors. DesignworksUSA, a global design consultancy and subsidiary of
BMW Group, was approached by Dassault recognizing their deep knowledge
of premium transportation and the ability to create designs consistent
with individual brands, as exemplified by BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce
Motor Cars. "We have been very pleased with our decision to
collaborate with DesignworksUSA," said Dassault Aviation's John
Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. "Thanks to
DesignworksUSA's transportation design expertise and hard work, the new
Falcon 7X interior cabin reflects our goal to define a new level of
flying experience." The Falcon 7X interior feels familiar and
classic, yet modern and elegant, an experience that was achieved by
designing a cabin that is clean, calm, and crafted. The design combines
a modern, non-ornamental appeal with timeless aspects of quality in the
attention to detail and craftsmanship. "To meet Dassault's high
goals, DesignworksUSA created the theme of "Elegance and Style
fused with Function", said Verena Kloos, BMW Group DesignworksUSA
President, "Our concept focuses on the sensory elements of the
flying experience emphasizing form follows feeling." Strategic,
Vertically Integrated Design Process Utilizing multi-faceted teams,
DesignworksUSA's Transportation Design Group brought branding, design
ideation, color, materials, and finish, and 3D CAD development skills
together. This ultimately created a vertically integrated design
process that leveraged each group's expertise to create an interior that
embodies more than the individual efforts. The combination creates a
strategically targeted and uniquely innovative interior design.
Innovation, Forms, Details and Lighting The new Falcon 7X cabin
introduces subtle curves throughout the interior. The single arc in the
carpet visually stretches the cabin and connects the interior front to
back, while the curved bulkheads visually expand the main cabin volume.
Subtle curves in the galley and main cabin furniture create a graceful
flow. Even the new, unique cabinetry latches feature a subtle curvature,
emphasizing harmony and style. The larger windows in the 7X bring more
light into the cabin and the soft up-wash and down-wash ambient
lighting as well as the distinctive "Lunule" lights in the
valance panels create an airy spacious feel when sunlight fades. Upon
entry to the aft lavatory, star lighting in the ceiling greets the
passenger with a gentle and warm light and the backlit window panel
gives a sense of openness and comfort. Other smart details improve
functionality, efficiency and ease of use. For example, the ergonomic
controls of the new in-flight entertainment system (IFE) hide in the
side ledge until needed and the tactile light and gasper controls in
the valance panel allow easy and precise adjustment. A pull-out vanity
in the aft VIP lavatory gives efficient and comfortable access to
hygiene and personal care items. Colors, Materials and Finishes The
colors, materials and finish program continues the "Clean, Calm and
Crafted" theme with natural, honest, tactile, and warm colors and
materials. The darker carpet and lower side walls ground the design
while the lighter upper side walls, valance panels and ceiling
emphasize a more open and spacious overall environment. The contrasting
dark wood side ledge and bulkheads create spatial definition and
rhythm, and the horizontal wood grain ads an element of modern
freshness. With this emphasis on the passenger Dassault is defining a
new level of flying experience, uniting their aeronautical passion with
a design that celebrates well-being, modern appeal, and timeless
elegance, created by DesignworksUSA. About BMW Group DesignworksUSA
BMW Group DesignworksUSA provides brand communications, strategy,
research, design development, engineering, and parameters for finished
product including modeling, color and materials to many of the world's
great brands. In addition to being the creative partner to BMW Group,
which includes BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, additional
DesignworksUSA clients include Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Starbucks,
Boeing Business Jets, Embraer, Pilatus, John Deere, Advanced Medical
Optics and Bavaria Yachts. The company was founded in 1972 by Charles
W. Pelly in Malibu, California, and acquired by BMW Group in 1995.
Since 2004, President Verena C. Kloos has overseen DesignworksUSA's
strategy and operations, which now includes design studios in Los
Angeles, Munich, and Singapore. With global resources and clients
across a spectrum of forward-thinking industries, DesignworksUSA has an
unparalleled understanding of consumers and the world of design that
surrounds them, both today and many years into the future. www.designworksusa.com