BMW Vision concept car launched the Next 100

BMW has launched a self-driving car new concept developed at a gala ceremony held to mark the 100th anniversary of the first company's factory, now home to his classics department, in Munich, Germany.

Next Vision 100 is the first in what BMW chairman, Harald Kruger, says is a series of four similar-themed concept car being built at BMW's Mini brand, Rolls-Royce and motorcycle operation and planned to be inaugurated in a hundred years. It featured a new construction and design techniques, as well as interaction methods based on digital and autonomous driving technology already under development for inclusion in future BMW models.

Prepared to anticipate future mobility needs one century after the German car maker was originally founded as Bavarian Motor Works out of the operation of aero engines in the early Rapp Motorenwerk in 1916, Vision Next 100 also explores how the company's brand values ​​and familiar driving a sheer pleasure to catch can translate phrases into the future.

Although BMW has not gone public on the proposed drivetrain for Vision Next 100, the latest concept cars provide insight into the vision of the German car maker autonomous driving and how to propose to fit with the traditional manual driving spells his prominence in global marketing.

"Autonomous driving is no longer a question of 'if' but 'when'," he said, adding, "but the driver will remain firmly in focus, with constant connectivity, digital intelligence and state-of-the-art technology available to support" ,

Body Vision Next 100 using a combination of carbonfibre and plastic in anticipation of a shift from conventional steel structures and related assembly processes used today. Various elements, including side panels, have been made from the residue collected during the production of other carbonfibre structure.

"At some point the pressing punch out hundreds of steel parts may become obsolete," said BMW with an eye on the future. "Technologies such as rapid manufacturing and printing of the four dimensions would produce not only components or objects but intelligent materials and networking."

Avoiding the box pod-like shapes future-oriented newest concept car more served by rival luxury cars, BMW recently received a three-box silhouette more conventional combines smoothness inherent of a coupe with the traditional four-door practicality of modern day saloon in the continuation of preferences German car maker last for layout such that, as seen in models such as the 4-series and 6-series GranCoupe GranCoupe.

To suggest that the future BMW models are planned to be influenced by the design elements already seen in the company of two strong-i brand line-up, Vision Next 100 also has a visual relationship to i8. The influence of design boss Adrian von Hooydonk, also seen in the treatment of the surface, which is similar to the model i variety of toppings.

Although undeniably ultra-modern in appearance, the BMW design team has taken inspiration from the past in certain elements of their new concept, especially the classic kidney grille, a signature Hofmeister kick in the C-pillar and the L-shaped tail lamps

In a move that has netted the concept of the new BMW super slippery drag co-efficient of 0.18, flexible bodywork covering the wheels, which allows them to turn without interruption at an example of what the German automaker describes as Living Geometry - the process is also used in the cabins.

At 4900mm long and 1370mm high, Vision Next 100 is 10mm shorter and 100mm lower than the existing 5 Series, it is planned to be replaced with a model that is more contemporary seventh generation later this year.

BMW design boss Adrian von Hooydonk, said the starting point for a new BMW is interior. "Our goal is to develop scenarios that people will be involved with. Technology will make significant progress, opening up new possibilities fantastic that will allow us to offer the driver even more assistance for more intensive driving experience.

Access to the interior is via wing-style doors that open automatically as the driver approaches the smart key. To facilitate entry, steering wheel retracts and sat beside Vision Next 100 dashboard when parked.

Once seated, the tap of the BMW emblem on the steering wheel to close the door, move the steering wheel into position and adjust the driver's seat in accordance with the particular driver uses digital information stored on a smart key.

Like the exterior, BMW has avoided traditional materials in the car; instead of wood and leather, there are more sustainable materials, including recyclable mono-material.

BMW predicts two major modes of driving for future models: Boost mode, where the driver manually operated controls, and Convenient mode, in which the driver relies on the autonomous capabilities of the car.

In Boost mode, seats and steering wheel position changes and the center console turns towards the driver. The driver is also supported by processes and digital sensory intelligence. This is called the Companion, such as BMW explains it, gather information about the person at the wheel and programmed to provide support if needed, as proposed in the best turn points to a certain angle, advising on traffic jams or warning when the speed limit.

In this mode of Ease, Vision Next 100 becomes a place of retreat; seats, steering wheel and center console to adjust to provide extra space, and ambient lighting is used to create a more relaxed atmosphere while autonomous driving technology to guide you to your destination.

The driving mode made clear to other road users through the use of different colors with a car grille, headlight and taillight assemblies.

BMW's vision for the future of the car shows high definition digital display as we know them today will eventually become redundant. Instead, Vision Next 100 predicts a future in which all the relevant information projected on the windshield through a head-up display unit greatness.

"The digital world is strongly associated with the display; the next step will be organic LEDs - display which can be freely changed shape. At some point, however, there will be no more to show at all. On the contrary, the whole windshield will act as a giant screen," said von Hooydonk.

As with a flexible body, BMW has also drawn on the geometry of three-dimensional life in the car. It consists of about 800 triangles move set into the instrument panel and side panels, the goal is to improve the interaction between car and driver to communicate information to the signal intuitive BMW says provides "a form of communication of pre-conscious are predicting will happen real-time event" ,

While it may sound like science fiction, BMW convinced Living Geometry will be a factor that affects the car's interior design. It states: "At present, it is still difficult to imagine how the hundreds of small triangles can be coordinated to create jobs Geometry Alive. In the coming years, it will be possible, because the manufacturing method is now replaced. In the future, it would be feasible to produce is much more complex and flexible form. "

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