BMW updates Vision

The BMW Vision M Next revealed at the #NEXTGen infotainment platform at BMW Welt in Munich showcases an electrified and semi-autonomous future.

The focus is on the actively engaged driver with on-board intelligent technologies providing comprehensive yet carefully targeted assistance to turn them into the ultimate driver, the BMW Group says.

The group’s latest technological advances in the fields of design, autonomous driving, connectivity, electrification and services are showcased at the event.

“The BMW Vision M Next provides a glimpse into the future of sporty driving,” BMW Group Design senior vice-president Adrian van Hooydonk says. “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.”

The iNext and M Next vision vehicles represent prototype versions of BMW’s future experience concepts “Ease” and “Boost”. Ease encompasses all the experiences during a journey when the vehicle assumes the task of driving and is transformed into a living space on four wheels. Boost stands for the ultimate active driving experience.

“The BMW Vision M Next is a progressive hybrid sports car that makes a very clear and confident statement, in terms of both appearance and interaction,” BMW Design vice-president Domagoj Dukec says.

The Power PHEV drive system offers the choice between electric all-wheel drive and pure rear-wheel drive, with either all-electric propulsion or the power of a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.

System output of 441kW produces a top speed of 300km/h and enables the M Next to reach 100km/h in three seconds. There is also a Boost+ mode that puts extra power on tap at the push of a button.

In all-electric mode the range is 100km, making the M Next suitable for city centres where zero-emissions zones may apply.

Meanwhile, an electric drive motorbike, the BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster, has also been revealed.

The high level of torque right at set-off makes for breath-taking acceleration, BMW Motorrad design head Edgar Heinrich says.

The BMW Group #NEXTGen event also provided background information on what the future holds for the myBMW digital ecosystem.

All BMW Group and Now services, along with mobility services and products, will be pooled together under this name.

Products and services will be split into My Car, My Life and My Journey categories, presenting customers with a single gateway into an all- encompassing portfolio of personal mobility-enhancing offerings.

The BMW Group will reveal further details on myBMW at the IAA Cars 2019 motor show in Frankfurt on September 12-22.

Digital charging services from BMW for EVs should end searches for an available charging station. Customers can check the availability of a specific station along the selected route before they begin their journey.

Once within 20 minutes’ drive of the intended charging station, they can also reserve a space directly from their car.