Automotive

Otherworldly BMW Vision iNEXT makes public premiere in LA

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BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The BMW Vision iNext carries a very i3 look to its design, and likely heralds the kind of futuristic aim the company will have going forward
BMW
The new BMW grille on the Vision iNext is very unique
BMW
Smooth lines and a lack of prominent adornment mark the rear of the BMW Vision iNext concept
BMW
BMW describes the Vision iNext concept as "a boutique ambience on wheels"
BMW
BMW attempts to hide the technology as much as possible in the Vision iNext, calling it "Shy Tech"
BMW
BMW calls this pinkish color "Purus Rose" because, well, "pink" doesn't say much
BMW
The interior of the BMW iNext is simple, clean, and very BMW
BMW
BMW calls this color "petrol" as a hint towards the hose-cutting qualities of this EV concept
BMW
Some control surfaces within the BMW Vision iNext are hidden beneath cloth or wood coverings
BMW
The Vision iNext is meant to show that the future of mobility is not about technology for its own sake, but about how technology interacts with people
BMW
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
View gallery - 23 images

BMW premiered its latest look into the the future of mobility at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week in the form of the Vision iNext concept. As the innovation flagship for the automaker, the Vision iNext brings together autonomous driving, connectivity and electrification in a package that manages to be both minimalist and wildly outlandish at the same time.

The BMW Vision iNext was first announced in September – at the time, we described it as a "strange, otherworldly look into the crystal ball." The human-centered design of the Vision iNext is meant to show that the future of mobility is not about technology for its own sake, but about how technology interacts with people. BMW describes this as "a boutique ambience on wheels."

BMW Vision iNext at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas

The interior of the vehicle is simple, clean, and very BMW. The German carmaker often leans towards minimalistic, simple interior designs, and the Vision iNext exemplifies that approach. Components of cloth and wood dominate, with plastics often being disguised as one or the other. Warm, space-creating colors are the focus while technology, which is very obviously present, tries to blend in with the natural forms.

The interior of the BMW iNext is simple, clean, and very BMW
BMW

In line with its human-centered design philosophy, BMW attempts to hide the technology as much as possible in the Vision iNext, calling it "Shy Tech." Most of the screens and buttons are hidden or minimized until needed and many functions are hidden beneath wood or cloth covers.

A production model of the Vision iNext is expected in 2021 and will be produced at BMW's Dingolfing plant in Germany.

Source: BMW

View gallery - 23 images
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6 comments
Ben Grillet
Hideous
minivini
Not a fan of the interior color scheme, but the package is fantastic. Their implementation of tech in the i3 is spot on. This looks like a beautiful evolution of that design philosophy.
Ryanza
When did BMW start designing cars for KIA?
DavidB
My thoughts:
• The seats don't look very comfortable.
• I wonder whether the production version will still feature a wooden ironing board above the center console.
• Square steering wheels seem popular, nowadays, but (unless you plan to turn corners) make no more sense than riding on square wheels (see "wheel" in any dictionary or encyclopedia).
• I can only assume that those weird blue outlines near the bottom of the rear end show where to cut out holes for the trail pipes when you have it converted to internal combustion.
ljaques
I think they came up with that body style after watching a YT video of hydroforming welded metal sheets into expansion chambers for 2-stroke motorcycle exhaust. Everything on that vehicle looks somehow "wrong". Bet they don't sell many.
Gannet
"very" unique grille? It is not a traditional Beemer grille, but why is it there at all? Just to spoil the aerodynamics? +/- pedals are cute. Why the wooden ironing board ?