BMW iNEXT - Introducing the Polygonal Steering Wheel
July 24, 2019
The fully electric, fully connected and highly autonomous BMW Vision iNEXT is set to become the company’s new technology flagship and will be built at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing from 2021. It will integrate the BMW Group’s strategic areas of innovation (“D+ACES”) and bring them to the roads.
The cabin is fashionably furnished keeping it a form of “living space’ on wheels. In “boost’ mode, the steering wheel displays are positioned clearly towards the driver. When “Ease” mode is engaged, the driver’s immediate environment changes. The steering wheel retracts slightly, creating a more open sense of space. Inside the generously sized cockpit, the driver’s area is defined by the two visible digital display panels and the steering wheel.
The striking paintwork and sophisticated details enhances the clearly sculpted forms and surfaces of the car even more. The Liquid Greyrose Copper exterior gradually changes in shade from warm copper to dark rose and injects the vehicle with dynamic flair eve when stationary.
The large, interlinked double-kidney grille, the iconic side window graphic, and the blue accent surfaces at the front, sides and rear have clearly adopted the BMW i styling that already featured on the BMW i Vision Dynamics presented in 2017. Unlocking the vehicles causes the blue accents to light up, accentuating its eye-catching lines. Glass surfaces such as the large windows and the lights are integrated seamlessly into the design and have the appearance of elaborate inlays.
Apart from the steering wheel and displays in the driver’s area, there are no other screens or controls to be seen in the BMW Vision iNEXT. In order to preserve the comfortable character of the rear compartment, and therefore keep the people on board at center stage, the intelligent technology is integrated out of sight. Only when it is required by the driver or passengers does the technology become visible and operable. With the focus of attention on people, technology deliberately fades into the background and only becomes visible and operable, when the driver or passengers want it to be.
Harald Kruger, the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG said, “The iNEXT project will provide us with building blocks for the future, benefitting the entire company and all its brands. For the first time, we are combining all key technologies for future mobility in one vehicle: It is fully electric, fully connected and also offers highly autonomous driving.”
Source: BMW Group