Every few years, BMW reveals a concept car that proves to the world German automakers still have imagination. To name but a few of them, the 328 Hommage, Vision EfficientDynamics and Gina Light have all changed our perception of the brand. Today, the Vision Next 100 has been revealed, and we think it's just as cool.
As the name suggests, the Vision Next 100 celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Bavarian automaker. However, there isn't even a hint of nostalgia, as the study is entirely focused on the future. Let's hope they want to make something like this, not just show off, because people want an M1 successor, not a fancy study.
The i8 has spoiled us, so now every time we see a fresh BMW concept, it sort of looks like the hybrid sportscar. The details are, however, totally different. For example, the kidney grille is tall instead of wide, just like they were on the 328. The headlights take the form of two small vertical grooves in the bumper, maybe a preview of the laser technology all cars will have a century from now.
The overall body shape is somewhere between a sedan and a coupe, featuring steeply raked windows. Could this be a preview of future i models? We hope it might since an electric sedan would fit the BMW brand well. As for the wheels, if we can call them that, they are powerfully defined bulging shapes that remind us of Audi's RSQ study (from 2004's I, Robot).
Just like the i8 Spider shown at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in January, the Vision Next 100 has two driving modes. Either you drive it, or it drives you. When in Boost mode, the car supports you with augmented reality features, such as showing the ideal line and speed on the windshield.
Tired of buzzing and beeping safety systems that ruin your relaxed mood? The BMW study warns you of incoming dangers in an almost subliminal way, by flipping the red triangle scales on the dashboard. Designer Adrian von Hooydonk calls this Alive Geometry, and it's also used for the turning mechanism of the front wheels.
The cabin of the 4.9-meter concept features four individual seats. When you're not in the mood for driving and the "Ease" mode is activated, the steering tucks in and the chairs swivel so you can relax in style. But our favorite feature is the quad butterfly door design, which we haven't seen since the 2011 Ford Evos concept.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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