BMW Vision iNEXT Concept: A Holistic Approach to the Car of the Future
NEW YORK CITY – The Car Guide flew to New York City’s JFK airport to board a Lufthansa Boeing 777F cargo jet in order to have a first look at the BMW Vision iNEXT Concept Car, which was showcased during a multimedia presentation that took place within the plane’s cargo hold, decked out with a carpeted floor, a rotating turntable and video projections. In this unique setting, BMW revealed not only the concept car itself, but also its approach to the car of the future with regards to design, electric mobility and autonomous drive. Prior to the event, Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of management, BMW Group, set the stage: “The iNEXT project will provide our building blocks of the future, from which the entire company and all of its brands are set to benefit.”
Design
The BMW Vision iNEXT Concept car looks like a mix between an SUV and a crossover vehicle. Its proportions are reminiscent of an X5 or X6, although it seems to be much lower and to boast a much longer wheelbase. The lines are sharp and precise, and the vehicle features lots of glass to provide an airy cabin. Because the Vision iNEXT is fully electric, the battery pack is located under the floor, which accounts for the long wheelbase, and the hood is much shorter, as the electric motor takes up less space than a longitudinally-mounted inline six-cylinder engine.
- Also: BMW Vision iNEXT: Reveal of the Tesla Model 3 Challenger
- Also: BMW Vision iNEXT Concept: Autonomous, Connected and Electrified
The Vision iNEXT Concept also features a new treatment for the traditional BMW dual-kidney grille. Designed with 3D graphics, it is much taller on this vehicle and looks like a butterfly. This new design for the grille was created in order to accommodate the many sensors required for autonomous driving, many of which are located immediately behind and also harks back to the more vertical design of earlier BMWs. Of all the design elements on the car, this new grille design is sure to be polarizing.
The Vision iNEXT Concept is fitted with “coach” doors, à la Rolls-Royce, and the sides of the car feature the Streamflow design for BMW i cars, which emulates the traditional Hofmeister Kink of conventional BMWs. The Streamflow design wraps around the back with an integrated roof spoiler and the Vision iNEXT Concept also sports a rear diffuser. The car is also devoid of side mirrors and rides on huge 24-inch alloys fitted with low-profile tires. According to Adrian Van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design, the styling of the Vision iNEXT Concept will largely carry over to the production vehicle, which will bow in 2021, although I am pretty certain that the 24-inch alloys won’t make that transition.
A Lounge on Wheels with “Shy Technology”
The Vision iNEXT Concept is built on a brand-new architecture, largely made of steel, aluminum and carbon fibre, which allowed complete freedom for the designers who said the car is designed from the inside out to create what has been described as “your favourite space.” The design of the cabin is reminiscent of a boutique hotel with minimalist styling to create a lounge-type atmosphere, with a mix of cloth and wood, and the seats are upholstered in jacquard fabric.
Two screens are fitted to the dashboard and the Vision iNEXT Concept sports a square steering wheel, which recedes when the driver pushes on the BMW roundel to signal the transition to autonomous drive. The cabin is devoid of switchgear and incorporates what BMW describes as “shy technology.” During a demonstration, Olivier Pitrat, Senior User Interface Designer, gently brushed the seat cushion next to him and an illuminated music key symbol appeared through the jacquard fabric signalling that the audio system had been turned on. He then made another motion to control the volume. This is what Pitrat describes as “shy technology,” in that controls do not appear unless they are required and all control functions will be personalized according the driver’s preferences.
He then moved on to showcase what he called the “Intelligent Beam,” a camera/projector setup that is fitted to the car’s headliner and can project images on the pages of a blank cardboard book acting as a screen. According to Pitrat, we are presently in the flat surface interface stage—smartphone, tablet and smartwatch screens—and the next step will be interaction through 3D organic shapes.
Electric Mobility and Autonomous Drive
Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG and responsible for Development, told us that BMW is currently developing the fifth generation of electric powertrains and that “electricity is the new normal.” He also specified that the production vehicle, that will arrive in 2021, will be “ready technically for Level 5 autonomous driving,” but that he expects the car to be first available with Level 3 or Level 4, as the technology is progressing faster than the legislative framework worldwide.
He also said that “customers will not be part of an experiment” and that “BMW will be responsible in case of an accident,” which is a similar position to the one adopted by Volvo and Audi. He also stated that the exterior design of the production vehicle will be very close to the Vision iNEXT Concept, but that the interior design of the production vehicle is “still an open discussion,” as different approaches to shy technology are in development and that “it is still unclear as to which ones will prevail.”