BMW celebrated its 100 birthday recently and to mark the occasion, the company revealed an autonomous concept car called the BMW Vision Next 100.
This vehicle combines coupé-type sportiness with the dynamic elegance of a sedan – but rather than being an anonymous transport machine, it is a highly customised vehicle that is perfectly tailored to suit the driver’s changing needs.
Driver-vehicle interactions are managed by Alive Geometry; Boost and Ease modes offer a choice of driver-controlled or vehicle-controlled operations, and the interior of the vehicle changes to suit the mode of travel. In Boost, the entire vehicle focuses on the driver, offering the support needed to maximise the driving experience – for instance by indicating the ideal driving line, steering point and speed. Ease mode sees the interior transform: the steering wheel and centre console retract; the headrests turn to the side, and the seats and door trim merge to form a single unit so that the driver and front-seat passenger can turn towards each other.
“If, as a designer, you are able to imagine something, there’s a good chance it could one day become reality,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. “So our objective with the BMW Vision Next 100 was to develop a future scenario that people would engage with.”
No further info was released on the BMW Vision Next 100. The concept was created purely to showcase BMW’s vision of the future mobility and in celebration of the brand’s centenary under the motto – The Next 100 Years.
The BMW Vision Vehicle makes its world debut at the Centenary Event in the Munich Olympic Hall on 7th March, exactly 100 years after the company that is now known as BMW AG was first entered into the commercial register.
After its world debut, the BMW Vision Next 100 will go on a World Tour stopping in China, the UK and the USA. After its Asian premiere in Beijing, it will travel to London, where the Vision Vehicles of the BMW Group’s British brands – MINI and Rolls-Royce – will be unveiled. Its last port of call will be Los Angeles, USA, where BMW Motorrad will add its Vision Vehicle to the collection to complete the quartet of brands.
From 9-11 September 2016, the BMW Festival – BMW Vision Next 100 will welcome fans from all over the world. It will take place in the Munich Olympic Park, including the Olympic Stadium and Hall. The BMW Museum and BMW Welt will also be involved, as will the entire area around the iconic ‘four-cylinder’ headquarters building.
