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BMW Unveils First of New Concepts to Celebrate 100 Years

BMW unveiled its idea of what the future of its cars would look like with the 'Vision Next 100'. The concept car was formally unveiled today at exactly the same time when 100 years ago the company charter was signed to create BMW.
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By Siddharth Vinayak Patankar

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1 mins read

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Published on March 8, 2016

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    BMW unveiled its idea of what the future of its cars would look like with the 'Vision Next 100'. The concept car was formally unveiled today at exactly the same time when 100 years ago the company charter was signed to create BMW. The company celebrates its 100th anniversary with the concept that shows not just where the automobile may head well into the future. But perhaps, what is more significant are certain components and design cues that we can see on the Vision Next 100 that will come into more immediate product offerings from BMW.

    The most startling is the move away from the typical twin ring headlamp styling that has defined BMW for decades. The two part kidney grille is there though, however, it won't serve an air-intake purpose according to Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. Instead, the kidney grille will house sensors and radar equipment.

    The concept car also points to another crucial direction that BMW expects it will need to embark on. The fact that cars in the future may be fully autonomous. Hence, there is a steering column (it's not really a wheel) that retracts when these over chooses not to drive. BMW says it expects people to use the autonomous mode in traffic, but switch to 'Boost Mode' to take over and engage in sporty driving. The car's windscreen also plays a much larger role than today's head up display. And it will add to the driver aids we know of currently.

    The concept doesn't confirm a powertrain but the logical deduction is an all electric or fuel cell powertrain since BMW calls this an emissions-free car for the future. Some of the efficient dynamics features being showcased on the car - and some of its design cues will start to come into production cars from BMW in the next few years.

    The BMW Group will unveil three more concepts later in the year as part of its centenary celebrations. The first will be Mini Vision Next 100 that will focus on the theme 'Every Mini Is My Mini'. The next would be the Rolls-Royce Vision Next 100 that will play on the car being a Grand Sanctuary. This concept will make history as it will be the first time in Rolls-Royce's 114 year history that it will show a concept car. And lastly, there will also be the BMW Motorrad's Vision Next 100 concept titled The Great Escape.

    All four concepts will integrate with a future mobility theme with a focus on the environment and user interface. The concepts will also be taken around the world and though the BMW Vision Next 100 will come to Asia it's only Beijing that will get to see it. I am heartened to know that the company says unlike the past 100 years, the future product strategy will take markets and consumers outside of Germany and Europe also into account.

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    Last Updated on March 8, 2016


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