A crystal ball vision of cars for the next century

by Keith Morgan on Friday, October 21st, 2016

BMW has just celebrated its first 100 years and now it’s offering a vision of its next century.

The German manufacturer has unveiled concept vehicles for each of its brands – BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce.

The BMW Group’s vision of the future products is based on imagining how people might live in the next century and how that will influence transportation needs. The concept cars explore a number of future themes, autonomous and emission-free driving, connectivity and mobility services.

“Our long-term corporate strategy focuses firmly on the customer and the experience of sustainable premium mobility,” said BMW AG’s Management Board Chairman, Harald Krüger. “We want to offer our customers the ultimate in emotional products and innovative services – today and in the future.”

 

 

Here’s what the brands’ brains have dreamed up”

The BMW Vision Vehicle reflects the belief that while drivers will allow the vehicle to operate autonomously when desired, they will retain the pleasure of hands-on-the-wheel performance.

The key idea behind the MINI vision concept is responsible use of resources for personal mobility. The motto “Every MINI is my MINI” is about innovative car-sharing, with MINI fans of the future able to access and tailor any MINI to their own personal preferences, anywhere and at any time.

The MINI will be available to everybody at all times, picking drivers up autonomously from wherever they like and adjusting its appearance, driving characteristics and connectivity to suit the user’s personal lifestyle.

The Rolls-Royce is fully autonomous and promises to take luxury to a new dimension. The interior will be a private retreat, a “Grand Sanctuary” in which a virtual assistant not only drives the vehicle but also fulfils the occupants’ every wish throughout the journey.

The exterior, with an elegant clamshell canopy and coach door, allows passengers simply to stand up and step out of the vehicle, ensuring they are the picture of refinement and taste wherever they arrive.

The BMW Motorrad Vision Vehicle is designed to create a pure, unbounded ride experience. In the future, the special sensation of freedom will be made possible by even greater connectivity between rider, bike and the outside world.

The assistance systems will not only anticipate and advise when action is needed but also intervene, when required, to keep riders safe. Protective clothing such as helmets and padded suits will no longer be needed. Instead, riders will simply be able to enjoy the sensation of absolute freedom.

A key assistance system in this Vision Vehicle is the Self-Balancing mechanism, which keeps the motorcycle balanced both while in motion and while stationary, and prevents it from tipping over.

keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca