BMW Group's BMW Motorrad Design Studio will be led by Edgar Heinrich, 53, as of July 1st 2012, taking the place of David Robb.

No stranger to the saddle, 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’s BMW Motorrad Design Studio he was Head of Vehicle Design Motorcycles under the overall direction of David Robb from 2007 to 2009.

With motorcycle manufacturers eye towards truly international markets, its not hard to see why BMW may have chosen Heinrich. In July 2009 his 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, Edgar Heinrich was responsible for such vehicles as the first 4-valve boxer models 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.

And his influence is already seen in some notable BMW motorcycles. 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.

"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.

Reportedly, the previous head of the BMW Group Motorcycle Design Studio David Robb, has left the company. He was in charge of BMW Motorrad design for 18 years. 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.

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

Looking to BMW’s future, motorcycles take up a large part of Heinrich’s leisure time as well as professional life. His passions include modifying sports bikes, restoring and collecting vintage models and in particular riding motorcycles himself - both on and off the road.

"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," Heinrich said.

Maybe the staff of Clutch and Chrome have spent too much time watching movies, but doesn't the new head of BMW Group's BMW Motorrad Design Studio look like Liam Neeson's long lost twin brother?