BMW Vision Next 100 revealed

Ladies and gentlemen, here's BMW's view of "future premium mobility"!

By Matt Bird / Monday, 7 March 2016 / Loading comments

For those cynical about the future of cars, the BMW Vision Next 100 is probably not the car to allay those fears. As part of its centenary celebrations, this car is the concept where "artificial intelligence and intuitive technology become one." And it gets better than that...

Though BMW stresses that its cars will always be driver focused, there is of course the inevitable push towards autonomous driving. In the Vision Next 100, this manifests itself as two drive modes: Boost and Ease. Boost is when the driver wants to do the driving, "offering intelligent support to maximise the driving experience." Then Ease is where the car takes over, changing the seat, dash and even headrest position. The head-up display goes from providing driving information to personalised entertainment content and even drawing attention to interesting buildings that you're passing by.

'Alive Geometry' is another significant phrase for BMW around this concept, referring to 800 moving triangles set into the instrument panel and the side of the car too. BMW predicts that one day organic LED technology could replace conventional displays entirely, the dash and HUD linking to form one large screen of constantly moving information. Apparently this combination of connectivity, intelligence and technology will take the driver to the status of "Ultimate Driver".

Now while the inside may represent a pretty radical departure for BMW, the external styling is said to represent trademark BMW design. So of course it has kidney grilles, short overhangs and wheels right out at the corners. The drag co-efficient is just 0.18 Cd, helped in this case by bodywork covering the wheels. The copper colour has been chosen as future BMWs "should appear technical yet still have a warmth about them". Sounds rather ominous in a press release that also discusses technology becoming more human. Naturally the Vision Next 100 is built from recycled or renewable materials, with plenty of carbon to save weight.

Now with a name like Vision Next 100, don't expect anything like this concept to be sold alongside a 320d at your local BMW dealer soon. Instead it points to a future of ever greater connectivity with your car, an increasing reliance on autonomous driving and new materials for construction inside and out. BMW maintains that "Sheer Driving Pleasure" is here to stay though - can the reality match its claim?