BMW shows what's to come at #NEXTGen 2020

BMW released a recap of their #NEXTGen 2020 event showcasing what they have in store for the future.

They showcased 3 new vehicles/concepts. The iX electric SUV, the Motorrad Definition CE 04 electric scooter, and the MINI Vision Urbanaut.




Experience #NEXTGen 2020 at: www.bmw.com/nextgen

BMW iX.

The dawn of a new era .

The BMW iX is the BMW Group’s new technology flagship. It opens the door to the next level in all-electric driving pleasure and, in the process, ushers in a new age of mobility focused on a reinterpretation of design, sustainability, driving pleasure, versatility and luxury.

Due to come onto the market at the end of 2021, the BMW iX is currently in the final phase of development. It takes all of the knowledge, experience and innovations amassed by BMW – the leading premium supplier in the field of electric mobility – over recent years to a new high point. This is the first BMW model to be based on an all-new technology toolkit and was conceived from day one for purely electric mobility.

“The BMW Group is constantly striving to re-invent itself. That is a central element of our corporate strategy,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “The BMW iX expresses this approach in an extremely concentrated form.”

Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology delivers outstanding efficiency and high range.

The new era of mobility will unfold at BMW Plant Dingolfing from 2021. The BMW iX leads the way with future technologies that will also be incorporated into other BMW models in the foreseeable future. At the heart of the BMW iX is the fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology, which encompasses the car’s two electric motors, its power electronics, charging technology and high-voltage battery. The power unit was developed by the BMW Group and is manufactured in a sustainable production process without the use of critical raw materials known as rare earths. According to the latest predictions, its maximum output will exceed 370 kW/500 hp, with 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) possible in under 5.0 seconds.

The drive system delivers not only impressive driving dynamics but also a combined electric power consumption figure of less than 21 kWh per 100 kilometres in the WLTP test cycle (the most relevant method at market launch). This is exceptionally low for its segment. With a gross energy content of more than 100 kWh, the latest-generation high-voltage battery enables a range of over 600 kilometres in the WLTP cycle. That equates to more than 300 miles according to the EPA’s FTP-75 test procedure. (All figures relating to performance, energy consumption and range are predicted values based on the car’s current stage of development.)

DC fast charging at up to 200 kW allows the battery in the BMW iX to be replenished from 10 to 80 per cent of its full capacity in just 40 minutes. Stopping off at a fast-charging station allows users to top up the car’s range by more than 120 kilometres (75 miles) within ten minutes.

The batteries fitted in the BMW iX are designed as part of a long-term resource cycle and enable an exceptionally high recycling rate. “Technology is driving the advances we need to tackle even the greatest challenges. This applies in particular to climate protection,” says Oliver Zipse. “We are firmly convinced that mobility has to be sustainable if it is to represent a truly outstanding solution. For the BMW Group, premium mobility is not possible without responsibility.”

Design for a new kind of mobility.

The BMW iX also raises the bar in terms of design. Its innovative use of forms redefines the successful BMW Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept. Muscular exterior proportions, a flowing roofline and reduced surfacing turn the locally emission-free model into an experience space delivering comfortable mobility both in day-to-day use and over longer journeys. At the same time, with dimensions roughly similar to those of the BMW X5 and BMW X6, the BMW iX exudes a new kind of poise and authority anchored in sustainability, driving pleasure and premium characteristics.

One visible symbol of the fusion of innovation and design at work in the BMW iX is the new kidney grille design, which is fully blanked off and performs a digital role as an intelligence panel. Camera technology, radar functions and other sensors are integrated seamlessly into the grille behind a transparent surface with a three-dimensional pyramid structure. This provides the driver with advanced assistance systems that pave the way for automated driving. The surface of the kidney grille has a self-healing effect which can repair minor scratches, for example, within 24 hours at room temperature.

Shy tech: the seamless and invisible integration of high-tech functions.

Users can sample the groundbreaking design of the BMW iX in most depth when inside the car, although they begin to experience the “shy tech” principle in play here while climbing aboard. Shy tech refers to technology that remains largely in the background and only reveals its functions when they are being used. On entry into the car, the function in question is the electrically powered door locks. The interior welcomes the occupants of all five seats with a luxurious lounge-style ambience, and provides the space required to explore new ways of using time spent inside the car.

The omission of the centre tunnel gives the cabin an airy and spacious feel, and ensures passengers in the second row also enjoy extremely generous legroom. This further accentuates the lounge-style ambience and long-distance comfort provided by the interior.

The displays and controls are all stripped down to the essentials, and the shy tech approach for the interior can be seen in a number of features, including speakers that have been integrated out of sight, intricately styled air vents, heated surfaces and the BMW Head-Up Display’s projector, which is recessed discreetly into the instrument panel. For the first time in a model from the BMW Group, there is the option of integrating speakers into the seat structure. Meanwhile, the hexagonally shaped steering wheel (making its debut in a BMW), a rocker switch for gear selection and the BMW Curved Display that forms part of the next-generation BMW Operating System clearly advertise the futuristic form of driving pleasure on offer. The BMW Curved Display is held in place by a supporting structure that is concealed from the occupants’ view, so it appears to be standing freely in the cockpit. This new technology takes the traditional driver focus of a BMW cockpit to the next level, uniting the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch Control Display to form a single unit that curves towards the driver.

“No other user interface on the market can be operated as simply and as safely as ours,” says Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development. “In the BMW iX we have taken this to a new level with a new digital vehicle platform.”

Optimised aerodynamics and lightweight design for increased range and efficiency.

As well as impressing in terms of design, sustainability, driving pleasure and premium characteristics, the BMW iX also convinces with the technology underpinning this new age of mobility at BMW.

Credit for the drive system in the BMW iX goes to the fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology, which encompasses the car’s two electric motors, its power electronics, charging technology and high-voltage battery. BMW teams the eDrive tech with far-reaching measures for optimising aerodynamic properties and minimising weight. The interplay of these three factors enables even lower energy consumption and therefore increased range. The handling qualities of the iX and the level of comfort inside the cabin likewise benefit from reduced drag and the car’s bodywork structure, with its aluminium spaceframe and pioneering Carbon Cage.

The drag coefficient (Cd) of the BMW iX is just 0.25 – proof of its outstanding aerodynamics. The driver experiences the tangible effects of this aerodynamic efficiency most clearly in the form of significantly increased range. The bespoke aerodynamics measures for the front end, rear end, underbody and wheel areas alone succeed in adding over 65 kilometres (40 miles) to the range of the BMW iX.

Further information on the BMW iX can be found by following this link:
PressClub Global · Articles · BMW iX.

MINI Vision Urbanaut.

Make it your space.

The MINI brand is using #NEXTGen to present, in a world exclusive, the MINI Vision Urbanaut – an all-new interpretation of a vision of space. This digital vision vehicle offers more interior space and versatility than ever before, but still on a minimal footprint.

“The MINI brand has always stood for 'Clever Use of Space'. In the MINI Vision Urbanaut, we extend private space far into the public realm, creating completely new and enriching experiences in the process,” explains Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design.

Make it your space.

The interior of the MINI Vision Urbanaut was conceived as a vision of space and has been designed from the inside out. It provides an interior space that can be used in many different ways and offers a whole new ease of movement inside the car. The interior can turn into a living room in just a few simple steps; you can open the windows wide and feel like you’re at home on the couch.

An extremely flexible four-seat layout provides the basis for the bright interior. The two front seats are designed to rotate, while the backrests for the generously sized seat surface in the rear can be folded manually (left rear seat) and turned around (right rear seat). When the car is stationary, the dashboard lowers and the driver’s area becomes a comfortable seating corner – the “daybed”. Added to which, the windscreen can be opened upwards when stationary to create a kind of street balcony. This enhances interaction with the car’s surroundings and creates an even more generous spatial experience. The dominant material in the interior is knitted textile, while leather has been deliberately avoided. The use of cork on the steering wheel and sections of the floor adds a special touch and ensures a naturally pleasant interior climate.

Occupants enter and exit the MINI Vision Urbanaut through a single large sliding door in the side of the car; there are no other doors on the driver’s or front passenger side. The interior of the MINI Vision Urbanaut is split into three different zones: the bright driver’s area, the darker Cosy Corner in the rear and the access area between them with further control interfaces. The MINI Vision Urbanaut offers a high level of automated driving capability, but the user always has the option of driving the car themselves. In this mode, the driver will have use of a dashboard with the steering wheel extended. When the car is stationary, the steering wheel retracts back into the shadows, the dashboard lowers and the daybed is created.

Intuitive, discreet user interface solutions allow conventional controls such as switches or buttons to be omitted. This creates a minimalist, cosy spatial experience while maintaining full connectivity. The principle of making things as simple as possible to use (“natural interaction”) is highlighted by the “analogue”, tactile, haptic experience of initiating a feature, e.g. the direct touch operation option in the Loop over the rear seat bench. The circular instrument is now positioned in the middle of the car – the new centre of the action – and brings information to the place where people meet.

MINI moments reach far beyond mobility.

The reduced and authentic design of the exterior houses a cleverly conceived space, different areas fulfilling clear functions. “MINI sees its future self primarily as an enabler of and companion for unforgettable times – what we might call ‘MINI moments’. The MINI Vision Urbanaut uses three curated MINI moments – “Chill”, “Wanderlust” and “Vibe” – to present a wide range of possible usage scenarios. The Chill moment invites you to catch a breath and pause in the here and now. The car becomes a kind of retreat, a haven where you can relax – or work with full concentration – during a journey. Wanderlust is the only MINI moment where the MINI Vision Urbanaut is being driven or driving with automated driving functions. The moment Vibe puts time with other people at centre stage – in every way”, adds Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design.

Typically MINI, but with a new design.

Its purist mono-volume design brings a new angle to the MINI Vision Urbanaut and creates the largest possible interior within an overall vehicle length of just 4.46 m. In signature MINI fashion, the wheels are positioned at the outer corners of the body, and short overhangs round off the compact and agile appearance. At the same time, clear updates of two time-honoured MINI front-end design icons (the headlights and radiator grille) and the rear lights provide a glimpse back to previous MINIs and the classic Mini. The visual highlight of the MINI Vision Urbanaut when viewed from the side are the wheels, which have an abstract Union Jack profile and a form that recalls the wheels of a skateboard. They are transparent and illuminated from the inside according to the MINI moment, allowing them to serve as a communication interface with the outside world.

Further information on the MINI Vision Urbanaut can be found by following this link:
PressClub Deutschland · Artikel · Design, Konzepte, Studien.

BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04.
"Plugged to Life” – a new form of urban two-wheel mobility .

With its electric drive system, trailblazing design and innovative connectivity solutions, the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 is setting out to change the face of the scooter segment as we know it. This close-to-production further development of the BMW Motorrad Concept Link links the customer’s analogue and digital worlds under the banner “Plugged to Life” and doubles up as a means of transport and communications hub for city commuters. Add intelligent rider equipment to the mix and the result is an all-embracing, emotionally engaging and newly conceived mobility experience.

As Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design at BMW Motorrad, explains: “Electric mobility is a key form of drive system for the BMW Group and we are employing this technology consistently in our sustainability strategy. Electric drives are also a relevant topic for BMW Motorrad, especially for the urban environment. Since 2013, we have been a pioneer in this area with the BMW C evolution scooter. The BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 is the logical continuation of the electric mobility strategy for urban centres and provides a concrete preview of what a near-production bike for taking two-wheeled electric mobility in cities to a new level – both technically and visually speaking – might look like.”

Innovative architecture and pioneering design.

The segment-shaping design of the Definition CE 04 embodies a new urban aesthetic and stylistic evolution. Many innovative elements and details of the BMW Motorrad Concept Link – which was seen as a radical vision for the distant future back in 2017 – are now approaching production readiness. The technical composition of the electric drive system enables groundbreaking design that responds to the fundamental requirements of today’s users in terms of straightforward functionality, a clear aesthetic and their digital reality, and represents a departure from established scooter styling. Clear lines, large surfaces in Mineral White metallic and precise forms create modern proportions. The two-tone colour split adds to this impression. The technical heart of the Definition CE 04 – made up of the drive system, single-sided swing arm, spring strut and tooth belt – is painted matt black. Plus, the slim batteries in the underfloor section and the compact drive unit on the rear wheel offer scope to explore new avenues. The side-access compartment (which can accommodate a helmet, for example) is a case in point. The lower centre of gravity brought about by the low-mounted battery pack ensures playful handling and dynamic riding pleasure.

Practical and ergonomic.

The drive unit and battery pack are designed for a practical everyday bike designed to transport users from home to workplace, or to evening get-togethers with friends. The urban target customers mainly travel short distances of approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) each day, so although the seat should be comfortable it does not require particularly heavy padding. Cue the floating bench design, which also allows riders to climb on easily from the rear and improves ergonomics for single riders, regardless of their leg length or body size.

Connecting the rider with their surroundings.

The BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 also shines the spotlight on practical and user-oriented solutions when it comes to digital applications. BMW Motorrad sees significant future potential in the interaction between the rider and their equipment in terms of safety, comfort and the emotional experience on board. For example, the rider can connect with their surroundings via a combination of the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 and their smartphone. The 10.25-inch display is the largest of its kind so far in the scooter segment and serves as an interface between the rider’s analogue and digital worlds.

Rider equipment joins the outward communications toolkit.

The new rider equipment also enhances connectivity. And if desired, it can even help the scooter communicate with its surroundings. The clothing range developed exclusively for the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 centres on a casually cut warm parka designed for everyday use. Light guides integrated into the sleeves and hood provide improved visibility on the road. They are activated by sensors in the sleeves and can change colour.

To ensure the rider remains contactable at all times, the parka’s inside pocket has an inductive smartphone charging panel. The rider equipment therefore slips seamlessly into the user’s life and has a cool look which is both urban and extremely practical. The new range, which also includes black riding jeans, stylish sneakers and a white open-face helmet, allows the rider to climb off the bike easily and get on with their day. As well as being extremely comfortable to wear, the rider equipment naturally also offers the protection riders expect from BMW Motorrad and even becomes part of on-bike outward communications.

Graphics as a unique styling feature.

The unobtrusive graphic design showcases the new concept to optimum effect. Completely different design variants are also conceivable that allow customers to express their personality – from modern elegance through to an urban look.

Further information on the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 can be found by following this link:
PressClub Deutschland · Artikel · Design, Konzepte, Studien.