BMW Vision M Next Concept Revealed, E-Mobility Schedule Advanced

As part of BMW’s big event, the Vision M Next concept shows what the future of “The Ultimate Driving Machine” will look like. This comes in conjunction with an announcement that the targeted 25 electrified models are being pulled ahead by 2 years, to 2023.

BMW Group’s latest innovations in areas of design, autonomous driving, connectivity, electrification, and services are being showcased at the event. According to Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design, “the BMW Vision M NEXT demonstrates how state-of-the-art technology can also make the experience of driving yourself purer and more emotionally engaging.”

The concept separates the driving experience into two modes called “EASE” and “BOOST.” EASE is the term they’ve adopted for the autonomous driving experiences, while BOOST encompasses the active driving experience.

The Vision M NEXT offers the option between electric all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, with power coming from a plug-in hybrid drive system and turbo 4-cylinder engine. Total system output is rated at 600 horsepower, enabling the car to reach 186 mph while 0-62 mph is rated at a scant three seconds. BOOST+ mode enables a push-to-pass type feature, as well.

Maximum range for pure electric driving is an impressive 62 miles, enabling most commutes to be conducted without any fuel consumption — as long as the driver doesn’t want to have much fun, anyway.

The design of the Vision M NEXT is a call-back to the M1 supercar and Turbo concept that came before it, as well as an evolution of the current i8’s theme. While obviously conceptual in nature, it does feature recycled carbon fiber in the lower section of the body structure. This could indicate a general move to this type of material from the carbon fiber reinforced plastic that is currently utilized in the 7 series.

Interior design focuses on cleanly presenting relevant information to the driver with minimal distractions. As speeds increase, driving-related data takes precedence and moves into the driver’s line of sight. The capabilities of the MyBMW App expand with an intelligent personal assistant always available for concierge-type services.

Interior materials provide a vision of the future, with the use of leather intentionally minimized. Materials such as a microfiber fabric are substituted, while woven synthetic fibers, anodized titanium, and painted surfaces are used in new ways.

The advancement is enabled by flexible vehicle architectures that can accommodate fully-electric, hybrid, and combustion engine drive trains. The Vision M NEXT concept has no current production expectation. However, it can be assumed that the design philosophies, as well as powertrain technology and layouts, will be seen in the proliferation of the 25 electrified models to be made available over the next 4 years.

[Images: BMW]