BMW has unveiled a new concept car which, as well as previewing some of the design language for a future mid-sized saloon, features a colour-changing exterior and a head-up display that blurs the edges of reality.
The i Vision Dee (which stands for Digital Emotional Experience) is the second in a trio of concepts providing a glimpse at the themes underpinning BMW's future electric Neue Klasse series and follows on from 2021's i Vision Circular concept that focused on sustainability and the circular use of materials.
The new concept takes the form of a traditional three-box saloon blending smooth futuristic looks with classic BMW design notes such a certain retro angularity, a new take on the firm's characteristic kidney grille and the famous "Hofmeister kink" design cue on the rear C-pillars. While it's unlikely that any future BMW models will look quite like the i Vision Dee, the concept could potentially herald a few of the design elements to be seen on cars unveiled closer to the middle of the decade.
Car-ma chameleon
The i Vision Dee was revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas and some of its technology represents an evolution of that seen on the BMW stand during CES 2022 at which the company showcased a colour-changing version of its iX electric SUV. Whereas the 2022 iX concept could manage the transition between a few shades of black and grey, the i Vision Dee's palette is a lot more expansive, with some 32 colours from which to choose.
The body surface of the concept is divided into 240 "E-Ink" segments, each controlled individually, allowing a near-infinite, instantly variable choice of patterns and looks to be displayed on the car's exterior. The concept's side windows are also treated with a special projection film that allows the driver's avatar to be displayed on the window surface.
"Phygital" exterior surfaces
Rather than an old-fashioned array of grilles and lights, the i Vision Dee instead uses "phygital" icons (that's a combination of physical and digital, by the way) to suggest a sense of the headlights, taillights and grille. The biggest upshot of this - apart from reducing the number of physical parts - is that the car's "face" can be used to communicate a range of emotions such as joy, astonishment or approval.
Blurred reality
The concept's interior is a minimalist, four-seat affair with, beyond the angular steering wheel, practically nothing in the way of traditional controls. A "mixed-reality slider" on the dashboard operated using the driver's finger works with the head-up display to allow the driver to decide how much augmented digital content they want to see projected onto the windscreen ranging from none at all to driving-related information only to total virtual immersion, dimming the windows to "gradually fade out reality" according to BMW.
"With BMW i Vision Dee, we are showing how the car can be seamlessly integrated into your digital life and become a trusty companion," said Adrian van Hooydonk, head of design at BMW.
"The vehicle itself becomes your portal to the digital world - with the driver always in control. Implemented the right way, technology will create worthwhile experiences, make you a better driver and simply bring humans and machines closer together."
Although blurring the bounds of reality may be a long way off in terms of daily-use automotive technology, BMW does say that it will begin introducing full-width head-up displays on its next-generation models from 2025 onwards.