(Munich/Beijing) The BMW iNEXT, the flagship of BMW Group’s next-generation technology, will enter mass production in 2021. Recently, BMW officially released some detailed photos of the BMW iNEXT mass-produced vehicles. As can be seen from these photos, in addition to hard indicators such as L3 automatic driving and 600 kilometers of pure electric cruising range, BMW iNEXT will also adopt a modern and technological cockpit design, replacing the traditional one with a large curved display. The instrument panel and central control screen, and the avant-garde polygonal steering wheel design enhances safety and comfort.
Super large integrated curved screen: unobstructed and panoramic view
Today, with the increasing popularity of ultra-high-definition TVs, people are beginning to pay attention to the immersive viewing experience brought by super-large screens. Adhering to the concept of “Pleasant Driving”, BMW designers have brought the concept of “immersion” to the extreme in BMW iNEXT. When you enter the cockpit of BMW iNEXT, you will find that the traditional instrument panel and central control screen are gone, replaced by a large curved display screen tilted towards the driver.
The design of this screen is inspired by the most avant-garde electronic products. It is fixed with an extremely thin magnesium alloy bracket. The driver cannot see the connection between it and the instrument panel at all, as if it is suspended in front of the driver, which is extremely light . At the same time, the curved screen adopts special anti-glare glass, which does not require a hood even under strong sunlight, making the layout of the cockpit more concise and smooth.
Mr. Domagoj Dukec, Director of BMW Brand Design, said: “The integrated curved screen interprets BMW’s driver-centered design concept and presents a unique display effect. The curved screen is made of high-tech materials and is suspended above the driving position. The central position of the cabin provides the BMW iNEXT with a more spacious interior.”
The display is divided into two display areas. Driving-related information is on the driver’s side, while other information is closer to the front passenger. The specific content displayed in the two areas can also be switched by touching and dragging to realize “cross-regional linkage”. The entire screen is the infotainment control center of BMW iNEXT.
“The curved screen design takes BMW’s driver-centered display control to a whole new level, making the touch operation more intuitive and natural, in line with the ergonomic design concept.” Dr. Robert Ehringer, head of the BMW i brand Irlinger) said.
Polygon steering wheel: born for autonomous driving, taking into account safety and comfort
The unique polygonal steering wheel shape of BMW iNEXT draws inspiration from racing steering wheels, which not only improves the comfort of getting in and out of the car, but also enhances the visual effect of the large curved screen. The upper and lower parts of the steering wheel are flat, while the rounded corners on the sides ensure a comfortable grip. The advantages of this design are especially evident when switching from automatic driving mode to active driving mode.
Compared with the circular steering wheel, the polygonal design greatly reduces the difficulty for the driver to distinguish the steering angle of the vehicle according to the position of the steering wheel. When the driver takes over control of the vehicle, he can immediately judge the current steering angle through vision and touch. At the same time, the optical fiber embedded on the side of the steering wheel can indicate the availability of the automatic driving function through a color signal, and can also remind the driver to take over control of the vehicle immediately under certain circumstances.
The innovative curved display screen and polygonal steering wheel are important elements of the BMW iNEXT interior, and they are the perfect interpretation of BMW’s “Pleasant Driving” concept. BMW iNEXT continues to demonstrate BMW’s leadership in innovation with its future-oriented forward-looking design. In 2021, when BMW iNEXT is mass-produced, it will provide customers with L3 autonomous driving in accordance with legal regulations and technically support L4 autonomous driving. It will also apply the fifth-generation BMW eDrive electric drive technology, with a cruising range of up to 600 kilometers, and also support the full interconnection of 5G networks.
Relying on its strong innovation strength, the BMW Group will continue to expand its layout in future mobility, accelerate the development of future-oriented next-generation technologies, and accelerate its transformation into a leading technology company in the high-end mobility field.
