BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - 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.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - 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.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - The lines are sharp and precise, and the vehicle features lots of glass to provide an airy cabin.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - 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.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - 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.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - The sides of the car feature the Streamflow design for BMW i cars, which emulates the traditional Hofmeister Kink of conventional BMWs.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - 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.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - The Streamflow design wraps around the back with an integrated roof spoiler and the Vision iNEXT Concept also sports a rear diffuser.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - The car is also devoid of side mirrors and rides on huge 24-inch alloys fitted with low-profile tires.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - 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.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - 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.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - 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.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - The cabin is devoid of switchgear and incorporates what BMW describes as “shy technology.”
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - 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.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG and responsible for Development, told us 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.”
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - 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.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - The presentation took place at New York City's JFK airport inside the cargo hold of a Boeing 777F cargo jet. The aircraft then flew on to San Francisco, Beijing and Frankfurt where similar presentations took place.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - The making of. Workers prepare the cargo hold of the Boeing 777F.
BMW Vision iNEXT Concept - The car being loaded aboard the Lufthansa Boeing 777F.
