BMW vision M NEXT conceptualizes flexibly self-driving sports car

‘boost your moment’, says BMW as they unveil the ‘vision M NEXT’ concept car at their annual next gen event, where they also presented the BMW motorrad ‘vision DC’ roadster. the electric vehicle challenges the preconception that when self-driving cars are the norm, people will not be to have the pleasure of driving in the future. it does so by using intelligent technologies to offer carefully targeted assistance where occupants will be able to choose whether to be driven or do the driving themselves.

all images courtesy of the BMW group

‘the BMW vision M NEXT provides a glimpse into the future of sporty driving,‘ says adrian van hooydonk, senior vice president BMW group design. ‘where the BMW vision iNEXT illustrated how autonomous driving is set to transform life on board our vehicles, the BMW vision M NEXT demonstrates how state-of-the-art technology can also make the experience of driving yourself purer and more emotionally engaging. in both models, the focus is firmly on the people inside. design and technology make the ‘EASE’ and ‘BOOST’ experiences more natural and more intense.‘

like in the ‘vision iNEXT‘ shown during the LA auto show in 2018, the idea of ‘EASE’ encompasses all experiences during a journey inside a fully autonomous vehicle. alternatively, ‘BOOST’ focuses on the ultimate active driving experience, where people have the flexibility to be an actively engaged driver.

with typical sports car proportions, the ‘vision M NEXT’ sources styling cues from both classic and contemporary BMWs, such as the ‘turbo’ and ‘i8’. its low-slung front with strikingly thin headlamps is sharply cut into a wedge-shaped silhouette at the rear. along the side, the car is defined by smoothly sculpted surfaces as well as gullwing doors. the body balances its vision of modernity and dynamism by finishing the front and rear ends in a matt-neon shade that contrasts with the silk-matt cast silver color in the middle.

to step into the minimalist interior, the car uses facial recognition technology to unlock as the driver approaches. the cabin then appears as if cut from a single mould with functional elements, such as the air vents, integrated seamlessly and out of sight. the ‘BOOST pod’ unites all control options and information on three distinct visual tiers in the driver’s field of vision. this includes the horizontally arranged steering wheel, curved glass display and full-surface augmented reality head-up display in the windscreen. this ensures the driver’s attention is focused on the road and the driving experience as a whole. finally, the shell-like seats are upholstered in foam material with shape memory.