It has done so by constantly reinventing itself, evolving from an
aircraft engine manufacturer to a motorcycle producer and then a
carmaker. Today the
BMW Group encompasses the BMW, MINI, BMW Motorrad and Rolls-Royce
brands, as well as a large number of mobility services and BMW
Financial Services.
Throughout its history the company has placed its sights firmly on
the future and this has become embedded in the BMW Group’s DNA. So for
the Centenary it is natural that the Group is focusing primarily on
looking to the future and sharing its vision of personal mobility two
or three decades from now.
It is both exciting and challenging to imagine how we will live and
move around in the future: how will society, the economy, living
conditions – and therefore mobility – change? What possibilities will
new technologies open up? How will digitalisation and connectivity
affect our automotive needs?
To answer these questions, the BMW Group has formulated six central
hypotheses for individual mobility in the coming decades, based on key
megatrends and future projections.
-
Mobility is becoming versatile. New forms of
mobility will open up countless possibilities for people to get
where they want to go. The BMW Group aims to play a part in shaping
these future forms of mobility.
-
Connectivity is becoming second nature. In the
future, everything will be connected. The BMW Group firmly believes
that digitalisation and digital intelligence are meant to serve
people. That is the only way they will permanently enhance our
quality of life.-
Mobility is becoming tailor-made. Mobility will
be increasingly flexible and tailored to individual needs. In
the future, customised mobility will automatically ensure that
people are able to use the best means of transport and take
their preferred route to their destination. The BMW Group will
offer carefully coordinated products and services to achieve this.
-
Mobility is becoming tailor-made. Mobility will
-
Technology is becoming human. Technologies are
getting smarter. The BMW Group believes that innovations are only
beneficial to humans if they are simple and user-friendly. In its
vision, technologies must be able to learn from and adapt to people,
so that technology seems less technical and more human and familiar.
-
Energy is becoming emission-free. In the future,
energy will increasingly come from renewable sources. The BMW Group
has a clear vision of environmentally-compatible vehicles built
using renewable energies and recycled without generating emissions.
It is working towards becoming a wholly sustainable company.
- Responsibility is becoming diverse.
In the future, it will become even more important for global
companies like the BMW Group to take responsibility for the
environment, but also for the people directly or indirectly in its
sphere of activity. One aspect – concerning both the company’s
international workforce of more than 100 different nationalities and
people connected with its various locations – is to promote
intercultural exchange and improve lives. The BMW Group already
supports more than 200 environmental and social projects in over 42
countries engaging in various projects involving its associates and
local communities to maximize its impact in the future. (To find out
more about Corporate and Intercultural Responsibility at the BMW
Group, visit the PressClub at: www.bmwgroup.com/responsibility).
These six focus areas comprise the BMW Group’s view of the future.
They also form the basis and inspiration for the design of the Vision
Vehicles the company is unveiling to the public to mark its centenary.
Each BMW Group brand interprets the mobility of the future in a way
that reflects its own particular values:
The BMW VISION NEXT 100 provides a glimpse of what “Sheer Driving
Pleasure” could look like in the future.
The MINI VISION NEXT 100 offers a completely individualised,
permanently available form of urban mobility.
The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 epitomises bespoke automotive luxury.
Future riding pleasure with the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 promises
limitless freedom.
2. BMW Group’s VISION NEXT 100 VEHICLES.
2.1. BMW VISION NEXT 100: “Sheer Driving Pleasure” of the
future – what will it look like?
In the not-too-distant future, most vehicles will probably be
completely self-driving – people will get around in robots on wheels.
So, given these developments, how will we justify the existence of
vehicles by BMW, a brand for whom the individual and Sheer Driving
Pleasure are the focus of everything? And how will BMW’s brand values
translate into the future?
In developing the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the main objective was to
create not an anonymous vehicle but one that is highly personalised
and fully geared to meet the driver’s every need – because the very
emotional connection between a BMW and its driver is something we want
to retain. For the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the design team specifically
took into account all the trends and technological developments that
will be most relevant to BMW in the decades ahead. But they also took
many of their cues from innovations and designs of the past. The key
factor throughout, however, was something that has always been typical
of the BMW brand: the desire to be uncompromising in its future focus
on technologies and customer value.
Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design: “If, as a designer,
you are able to imagine something, there’s a good chance it could one
day become reality. So our objective with the BMW VISION NEXT 100 was
to develop a future scenario that people would engage with. Technology
is going to make significant advances, opening up fantastic new
possibilities that will allow us to offer the driver even more
assistance for an even more intense driving experience. My personal
view is that technology should be as intuitive as possible to operate
and experience so that future interactions between human, machine and
surroundings become seamless. The BMW VISION NEXT 100 shows how we
intend to shape this future.”
Four Proposals underpinning the BMW VISION NEXT 100:
A genuine BMW is always driver-focused.
In recent months and years, the greatest current trend in the
automotive industry has become so widespread that it’s no longer a
question of “if” but “when”: autonomous driving. The BMW Group also
believes that BMW drivers will be able to let their cars do the work –
but only when the driver wants. The
BMW VISION NEXT 100 remains a genuine BMW, offering an intense
experience of Sheer Driving Pleasure.
Artificial intelligence and intuitive technology become one.
Moving into the future, vehicles will be fully connected and digital
technology will become so normal that it will permeate almost every
area of our lives. Increasing digitisation will lead to the physical
and digital worlds merging more and more. Artificial intelligence will
learn from us, anticipating many of our wishes and working in the
background to perform the jobs we delegate to it. The way humans and
technologies interact will be transformed: screens and touchscreens
will be replaced by more intuitive forms of human-machine
communication and interaction. Better yet: technology will become more human.
New materials open up breathtaking opportunities.
In the future, how will cars be manufactured? At some point, presses
that punch out hundreds of thousands of steel parts may well become
obsolete – the use of carbon may already be a first indication of the
sea-change that is imminent in the world of automotive materials and
production. Technologies such as rapid manufacturing and 4D printing
will produce not components or objects but intelligent, networked
materials and could soon replace conventional tools to open up
unimagined possibilities in design and engineering.
Mobility will remain an emotional experience.
Vehicles by BMW have never been purely utilitarian or merely a means
of getting from one place to the next. Far more, a BMW is about
looking to the next bend in the road, feeling the power of the engine
and enjoying the sense of speed; it’s about the sensory experience,
the adrenaline rush or that intimate moment at which a journey begins,
be it for a lone driver or one travelling with a close friend or loved
one. Moving into the future, that’s not set to change – because the
emotional experience of mobility is firmly fixed in our collective
corporate memory. By keeping the driver firmly in the foreground, the
BMW VISION NEXT 100 will heighten this emotional experience in an
unprecedented way.
BMW VISION NEXT 100: A vehicle for future mobility.
- From driver to “Ultimate Driver” – through digital intelligence.
- “Alive Geometry” enables intuitive driver-vehicle interaction.
- “Boost” and “Ease” driving modes enable driver- or
vehicle-controlled operation. - “Companion”: The intelligent digital partner connects driver and car.
- Trademark BMW exterior.
- Materials of the future.
From driver to Ultimate Driver – through digital intelligence.
In the future, BMW drivers will still want to spend most of the time
they are in their car at the wheel. In the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the
driver will remain firmly in the focus, with constant connectivity,
digital intelligence and state-of-the-art technologies available for
support. But that’s not all: the BMW VISION NEXT 100 will turn the
driver into the Ultimate Driver. So even though the world may well be
changing, Sheer Driving Pleasure is here to stay – and will be more
intense than ever before.
In designing the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the starting point was the
interior. In the years ahead, the driver’s wellbeing will become
increasingly important and rather than merely feeling they are in a
machine that drives itself, they should sense that they are sitting in
one that was specifically designed for them. This idea gave rise to an
architecture in which the interior appears extremely spacious given
the overall size of the vehicle; the BMW VISION NEXT 100, of course,
retains the instantly recognisable athletic silhouette of a BMW saloon.
The design of the interior permits various modes of operation: Boost
mode, in which the driver is at the controls, and Ease mode, in which
the driver can sit back and let the vehicle take over. In Ease, the
vehicle becomes a place of retreat with plenty of space, agreeable
lighting and a comfortable atmosphere. In Boost, the driver takes over
and benefits from the subtle and intuitive support offered by the
vehicle. All the time, the vehicle is learning more and more about the
person at the wheel, thanks to its sensory and digital intelligence
which the BMW Group calls the Companion. The Companion progressively
learns to offer the right kind of support to transform the driver into
the Ultimate Driver.
A very important element of the Vision Vehicle is another innovation
known as Alive Geometry, the likes of which have never before been
seen in a car. It consists of a kind of three-dimensional sculpture
that works both inside and outside the vehicle.
Alive Geometry enables driver-vehicle interaction.
Alive Geometry consists of almost 800 moving triangles inside the
cabin which are set into the instrument panel and into certain areas
of the side panels. They work in three dimensions, communicating very
directly with the driver through their movements, which are more like
gestures than two-dimensional depictions on a display. Even the
slightest peripheral movement is perceptible to the driver. In
combination with the Head-Up display, Alive Geometry uniquely fuses
the analogue with the digital.
The triangles work in much the same way a flock of birds in
controlled flight, their coordinated movements act as signals that are
easily comprehensible to those inside the car. Combined with the
Head-Up display, they involve the driver in a form of preconscious
communication, where an intuitive signal predicts an imminent
real-time event. Various approaches can already be seen today that
appear to confirm the feasibility of this solution. Rapid prototyping
and rapid manufacturing, for example, are gaining importance all the
time and are expected to be commonplace 30 years from now, meaning
that in the future it will become feasible to produce far more complex
and flexible forms. This is why in the context of the BMW VISION NEXT
100, the BMW Group refers to 4D printing, a process which adds a
fourth level to components: the functional one. In the years ahead,
printed parts manufactured in this way will directly integrate
functions which today have to be designed and produced separately
before being incorporated into the whole.
At the moment, the digital world is strongly linked to displays; the
next step will be organic LEDs, in other words, displays that can be
shaped and contoured. However the Vision Vehicle suggests there will
at some point be no more displays at all. Instead the entire
windscreen will serve as a giant display, directly in front of the
driver. In the future the digital and physical worlds will merge, as
shown with the example of the Alive Geometry and its interaction with
the digital Head-Up display on the windscreen.
Boost and Ease driving modes for driver- or vehicle-controlled operations.
In Boost and Ease mode alike, the elements and technologies of the
vehicle make for the most intense or relaxed driving experience,
depending on what is required. Transitioning between modes is
impressive and perfectly orchestrated, and
Alive Geometry remains relevant throughout. In Boost, when the driver
is concentrating fully on the road, Alive Geometry highlights the
ideal driving line or possible turning point and warns of oncoming
vehicles. Rather than making the driver drive faster, this kind of
support sets out to make them drive noticeably better. In addition,
intuitive feedback has a more physical and immediate impact than a
robotic voice or instructions on a screen. In Ease mode, on the other
hand, Alive Geometry is more discreet in its movements, informing
occupants about the road ahead and any acceleration and braking
manoeuvres that are about to happen.
In Boost mode, the entire vehicle focuses on the driver, offering
intelligent support to maximize the driving experience. The seat and
steering wheel change position, and the centre console moves to become
more strongly oriented toward the driver. As the journey proceeds, the
driver can interact with the vehicle via gesture control.
The contact analogue BMW Head-Up display of the future uses the
entire windscreen to communicate with the driver. In Boost mode, it
focuses exclusively on what really matters to the driver: information
such as the ideal line, turning-point and speed. In addition, full
connectivity, intelligent sensors and permanent data exchange allow
the Head-Up display to generate a digital image of the vehicle’s
surroundings. In foggy conditions, for example, this means the driver
can benefit from information such as vehicles crossing ahead, before
they actually come into sight. In addition, by learning more and more
about the driver, the system continuously improves, concentrating on
creating at all times the most intense and personal driving experience possible.
The transition to Ease mode brings about a complete change of
interior ambience. The steering wheel and centre console retract and
the headrests move to one side to create a relaxed and welcoming
atmosphere. The seats and door panels merge to form a single unit,
allowing the driver and passengers to sit at a slight angle. This
makes it easier for them to face each other and sit in a more relaxed
position for easier communications. Meanwhile, the Head-Up display
offers occupants personalised content along with the information and
entertainment they desire.
Depending on the driving mode, the focus of the vehicle changes,
concentrating on essentials for the driver in Boost mode, and the
surroundings and atmosphere in Ease mode, highlighting the impressive
landscapes or buildings of interest that the car is passing by, for instance.
Whether the vehicle is in Boost or Ease mode is also clearly apparent
to other road users as the trademark kidney grille, double headlights
and L-shaped rear lights act as communication tool. Their different
colours of light indicate which mode the vehicle is currently in.
Companion: The intelligent digital partner connects driver and car.
The Companion is symbolised by a small sculptural element which
represents the driver-vehicle connection. Shaped like a large, cut
gemstone, it is positioned in the centre of the dashboard, just
beneath the windscreen, where it symbolises the intelligence,
connectivity and availability of the BMW VISION NEXT 100. It also
represents the constant exchange of data: the more it learns about the
owner and their mobility habits, the smarter it becomes. At some stage
it knows its drivers well enough to automatically perform routine
tasks for them and offer suitable advice when needed. Irrespective of
the vehicle itself, constant learning makes the Companion increasingly
valuable to its owner.
The Companion also plays an important role in driver-vehicle
communications when the car transitions from Boost to Ease mode. While
the driver concentrates on the road in Boost mode, the Companion
remains flat in the dashboard. But when the BMW VISION NEXT 100 takes
control in Ease, it rises up to create an interface with the
windscreen. A signal light tells the driver that the car is ready for
fully autonomous driving. For other road users, the Companion has a
similar function, signalling through its own light as well as that of
the vehicle that the car is operating in automated mode. In certain
traffic situations, the Companion is in visual contact with other road
users, helping pedestrians to cross the road by means of the green
light gradient on the front of the vehicle.
Trademark BMW exterior.
The design of the BMW Vision Vehicle is characterised by a blend of
coupé-type sportiness and the dynamic elegance of a sedan. At 4.90
meters long and 1.37 meters high, it has compact exterior dimensions.
Inside, however, it has the dimensions of a luxury BMW sedan.
The large wheels are positioned at the outer edges of the body,
giving the vehicle the dynamic stance that is a trademark of BMW. When
it comes to aerodynamics, exterior Alive Geometry contributes to an
outstanding effect: when the wheels swivel as the vehicle is steered,
the bodywork keeps them covered as if it were a flexible skin,
accommodating their various positions. The innovative design of the
BMW VISION NEXT 100 gives it an extremely low drag coefficient of 0.18.
The exterior of the vehicle is copper in colour, designed to
underscore the idea that BMW vehicles of the future should appear
technical yet still have a warmth about them – as symbolised by the
close links between the vehicle and its driver.
This relationship begins as soon as the driver approaches the
vehicle: intelligent sensor technologies automatically open its wing
doors. To give the driver more space to enter and exit, the steering
wheel is flush with the dashboard. Once seated, the full range of
systems is activated by tapping on the BMW logo in the middle of the
dashboard. The door closes, the steering wheel comes forward, and the
driving experience begins.
Materials of the future.
The designers of the BMW VISION NEXT 100 primarily used fabrics made
from recycled or renewable materials. The visible and non-visible
carbon components, such as the side panels, are made from residues
from normal carbon fibre production. In the future, the choice of
materials will become even more important throughout the design and
production process.
With time, other new materials will also be added into the mix,
allowing different vehicle shapes to emerge. To save resources and
support more sustainable manufacturing, less use will be made of wood
and leather while innovative materials and the consequent new
possibilities in design and production gradually come to the fore.
This approach is already being exemplified by the use of high-quality
textiles and easily recyclable mono-materials and the elimination of
leather in the interior of the BMW VISION NEXT 100.
2.2. MINI VISION NEXT 100: “Every MINI is my MINI”.
Today’s MINI is the perfect premium compact car for the modern city.
Digitalisation and connectivity are increasingly changing the way we
get around on a daily basis – and this change is taking place most
rapidly and noticeably in urban areas. The MINI VISION NEXT 100 is
MINI’s answer to several key questions on urban mobility over the
years ahead. In the cities of the future, will there be space for a
car which engages at an emotional level? What will become of the
“clever use of space” principle that underpins MINI? And how can MINI
respond to a world becoming ever more digitalised and interconnected?
The core philosophy behind the MINI VISION NEXT 100 is the thoughtful
use of the planet’s resources in providing personal mobility. The
motto “Every MINI is my MINI” describes a particular take on
car-sharing. In the future, fans of the brand will be able to call on
a MINI tailored to their personal requirements where ever they are,
day or night. The MINI of the future will be available 24/7, able to
pick its driver up from their desired location in a fully automated
way and will adapt itself to the driver’s individual tastes, interests
and preferences. At the heart of this concept is fully connected
digital intelligence.
Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design,
describes MINI’s vision for the future: “MINI looks to offer smart and
bespoke mobility in cities that engages all the senses. And in the
future, you might not actually have to own a vehicle to enjoy the benefits.”
Clever approaches to future mobility with MINI:
- “Digitally Mine” – where every MINI becomes my MINI.
- The “Cooperizer”: a link between the driver and digital intelligence.
- “Urban go-kart”: small, clever, nimble. The hallmark driving fun
of a MINI will remain intact in the years ahead. - Novel use of sustainable materials in the interior.
- Experience sharing – users become part of a MINI community.
“Digitally mine” – where every MINI becomes my MINI.
In the future, as now, people will be attracted in great numbers to
MINI cars and the attitude to life associated with them. But it may
not actually be necessary to own a MINI to be part of the action. The
design team’s challenge: how could a MINI be widely and instantly
adaptable – making the driver feel it is their car, tailored precisely
to their own taste – available whenever and wherever they need it?
The MINI VISION NEXT 100 is wrapped in a discreet, silver skin. The
MINI designers refer to it as a “blank canvas”. How that canvas is
used varies according to the individual user, their mood and the
situations they encounter. Even the colour of the roof and the
lighting mood in the interior respond in kind. The MINI uses
projections adapted to the driver in terms of colour, graphics and
content to create a personalised experience and customised package of
on-board information.
The Cooperizer forms a connection between the driver and
digital intelligence.
The Cooperizer is the name the MINI VISION NEXT 100 gives to the
centrally-positioned circular instrument that has become such a
signature feature of MINI cockpits. In the MINI VISION NEXT 100 it
illuminates like a kaleidoscope. The colours and patterns it generates
symbolise the car’s multi-faceted digital intelligence, which allows
it to select a personalised setting for each driver, encompassing
entertainment, communications and autonomous-driving options. On the
move, the driver can influence the Cooperizer’s decision-making, as
the rotary controls allow adjustments to the interior ambience and
driving mode. So the car can be adapted to give a perfectly
personalised driving experience, whether driven conventionally or
autonomously. Pressing the “Inspire Me” button brings another special
Cooperizer trick into play. Here, the MINI checks downloaded user data
to select information of interest to the driver and provide them with
potential sources of inspiration. For example, the MINI VISION NEXT
100 might suggest the MINI set-up configured for an artist the driver
admires and whose exhibition they have recently visited. Or it could
recommend a challenging, twisting route to the outskirts of town and
switch to John Cooper Works performance mode.
The urban go-kart – small, clever, nimble. MINI will continue
to offer the driving fun we know and love in the future.
In the future, driving in a MINI must still be fun, to the extent
that drivers will prefer to drive themselves – as often as possible.
The mechanical experience of speed and the feeling of nipping swiftly
through twists and turns are part of what makes a MINI a MINI. But it
doesn’t stop there. In a future world of self-driving cars, this side
of motoring may have an even more significant, even more special role.
Various aspects of the MINI VISION NEXT 100 will take the go-kart
feeling to another new level. Cleared of many controls and screens,
the interior has a pure, uncluttered look. And the glass front end
opens up a dynamic view of the road. Here, augmented reality displays
show the route or ideal driving line, heightening the driving sensation.
In addition to these dynamic elements, dreaming up clever details and
creating maximum interior space within the smallest possible footprint
are other MINI essentials. The efficiently-packaged, zero-emission
drive system and the reduced need for crash zones in the future enable
a compactness of body not so far removed from the first MINI back in
1959. The generous feeling of cabin space is enhanced by a full-width
bench seat and pedals that slide with the steering wheel to adjust
their position. The steering wheel is always there, but the option
remains, to ask the car to drive itself; perhaps there are things
you’d rather do during a journey when the driving environment is
tedious. Autonomous driving plays an important role in the MINI VISION
NEXT 100, allowing it to travel occupant-free to a charging station,
cleaning service, parking space or the next user. To switch from
driving themselves to autonomous driving, the driver simply moves the
steering wheel into the central area between themselves and the front
passenger. In the process, those on board enjoy greater freedom of
movement and getting in and out of the car in busy city centres is
that much easier. The single-section bench seat and a full-width
footwell, uninterrupted by a centre console, also help this, allowing
passengers to gain rapid access from both sides of the car – without
having to decide in advance where they would prefer to sit. When
dynamic driving is the order of the day, active elements within the
seat provide lateral support for the driver and front passenger. Park
the car in a tight spot, and the doors automatically open as wide as
possible within the restricted confines.
Innovative use of sustainable materials.
Making responsible use of resources is key in the selection of
materials for the MINI VISION NEXT 100. These materials should retain
their high level of perceived quality over many years, age stylishly
and offer a special tactile experience. As digitisation increases,
analogue qualities and experiences will become more important. With
the more intensive use of a shared car, interiors will need to be much
more hard wearing. In addition to the modern materials made from
recycled plastic and aluminium in the floor area, roof lining and side
panel trim, for example, the MINI interior designers used materials
less commonly found in car cabins, such as brass, basalt and
cellulose. The wraparound carrier and information strip, with its
mount for the sliding steering wheel, and the Cooperizer with its thin
brass structure are good examples here. The designers made the storage
net behind the steering wheel from lightweight basalt, while the lower
section of the seat is trimmed in a recycled cellulose material
similar to paper. This novel use of materials included deliberately
allowing a patina to develop through use and ensuring they retain
along-lasting and sophisticated appearance. When it comes to the
natural look and feel of surfaces, the designers have embraced the
irregularities inherent in the chosen materials and processing
methods. That also applies to the seat covers in knitted Alcantara – a
robust, somewhat iridescent material. The designers have steered clear
of traditional interior materials like wood and leather altogether.
Another example of analogue design in the MINI Vision Vehicle can be
found in the wheels, whose rotation generates an “Ombro Cinema”
effect: This involves the outer surface of the wheel not moving and
only a disc behind it turning with the tyre. The even movement of a
shimmering graphic – again brass-coloured – can be observed through
openings in the outside of the wheel. The idea is for each wheel to
look like a piece of a mechanical jewellery.
Experience sharing – the user becomes part of a MINI community.
Sharing cars, homes and goods is ever-more common, as digitalisation,
connectivity and artificial intelligence make processes simpler and
more automated. The MINI VISION NEXT 100 can bring together a
community of likeminded people, with a shared MINI lifestyle in
common. Everybody benefits from everybody. And mobility opens up
inspirational experiences yet stands by its sustainable approach and
prudent use of resources.
For example, a MINI user in the future is interested in a certain
type of art and a friend gets hold of some last-minute tickets to a
preview for an exhibition they might like. The Vision Vehicle
identifies what’s involved, and coordinates and organises the whole
excursion. The drive itself becomes part of a perfectly arranged
service. MINI calls this vision of the future experience sharing.
Head of MINI Design Anders Warming sums up the most important aspects
of the car: “The MINI VISION NEXT 100 shows how MINI’s unique take on
the world could look in the future. The driving experience remains the
emotional centrepiece, with effortless and seamless services grouped
around it.”
2.3. Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100.
Rolls-Royce epitomises automotive luxury in a way that no other brand
can. Founded in 1904, its products rose to pre-eminence around the
world in a matter
of years – in keeping with Sir Henry Royce’s motto: “Strive for
perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it
better. When it doesn’t exist, design it.”
Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design: “In celebration of
this pioneering spirit, the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 has been
designed as the ultimate expression of the future of super-luxury
mobility. It is an enlightening vision of the fascinating
possibilities of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the future.”
The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 is the first purely visionary vehicle
in the 112-year history of the marque.
In creating it, the team focused on the following questions:
- What is the future of luxury?
- How might the exclusive character of a Rolls-Royce translate into
the future? - How will the demands of the Rolls-Royce clientele change? And how
might Rolls-Royce even exceed their expectations in its constant
quest for perfection? - Could other traditional Rolls-Royce characteristics – such as
precise craftsmanship, a pioneering spirit and a love for perfection
– combined with future technologies and trends set new standards for
luxury in decades to come? - How can we ensure a journey in a Rolls-Royce remains as unique an
experience in the future as it is today?
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars already realises the most diverse customer
wishes and offers virtually unlimited scope for personalising its
vehicles. Over the years and decades ahead, however, the opportunities
will become even more extensive, and customers will be able to
commission their personal Rolls-Royce into a genuine one-off piece. In
terms of technology, the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 is based on an
advanced lightweight platform equipped with a high-performance
electric drive. From the wheelbase to the design of the body, its
various specifications and equipment can be tailored specifically to
suit the needs of the individual customer.
The Rolls-Royce design team expects that further progress in
composite materials and technologies will have a decisive influence on
how production can be customised in the future. Advances will also
unlock new creative possibilities for the brand to meet the discerning
wishes of its customers and achieve its goal of producing the bespoke
automotive equivalent of haute couture.
The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 incorporates just some of the design
options that will be possible in the future.
It focuses on the following key aspects of a new dimension of
automotive luxury:
- The “Personal Vision”: One of a limitless number of possible
personal visions of a Rolls-Royce of the future. - The “Grand Sanctuary”: The vehicle interior as a private retreat.
- The “Effortless Journey”: Guided by “Eleanor”, the passenger’s
virtual assistant. - The “Grand Arrival”: Stepping out at your destination in ultimate elegance.
The Personal Vision: One of a limitless number of possible personal
visions of a Rolls-Royce of the future.
The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 is but one of a limitless number of
possible personal visions of a Rolls-Royce of the future. Indeed, in
an evolution of the Rolls-Royce experience of today, the customer’s
taste will shape exactly how his or her Rolls-Royce will look and how
it will be configured.
In the spirit of the great coachbuilt cars of the past, Rolls-Royce
will create the chassis of the future, hand-built from the most
advanced materials and powered by a zero emissions powertrain.
Innovative manufacturing technologies will enable customers to involve
themselves in the style and proportion of their personal Rolls-Royce
vision. They will be able to commission their very own cars shaped by
Rolls-Royce designers to their personal tastes – unique bespoke
masterpieces curated as a fingerprint of their owner.
The Grand Sanctuary – The vehicle interior as a private retreat.
In a Rolls-Royce, the well-being and desires of the occupants are
all-important. For this reason, the design of the interior is the
central starting point: it is intended as a space in which passengers
can enjoy their very own style of luxury. The vehicle interior becomes
a personal retreat.
In creating the interior, the designers opted for a clear-cut
hierarchy of lines, as well as sustainable, authentic materials and
subtle lighting. These combine to create a peaceful oasis, the ideal
atmosphere in which to relax.
With this approach, the designers were able to create an inviting,
purist space in which the intrinsic beauty of the materials shines
through. The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100, for instance, incorporates
warm tone Macassar wood, a carpet of hand-twisted silk on the floor
and further extraordinarily soft silk on the upholstery.
In the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 a panorama window of generous
proportions provides outstanding visibility. Designed to “waft” along
fully autonomously, the driver’s seat, steering wheel and instruments
are superfluous in this model; what remains is a completely new sense
of space. Cocooned in their own private haven, passengers have just a
central analogue timepiece below the panorama window as a reminder
that time not lost is the highest form of luxury.
The Effortless Journey: Guided by Eleanor, the passenger’s
virtual assistant.
In creating the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100, the designers also
sought to keep the presence of technologies as subdued as possible
while at the same time ensuring full connectivity. The vehicle is
controlled by a virtual intelligence which fulfils the passenger’s
every need. This virtual assistant is embodied in a digital
representation of the Spirit of Ecstasy, which appears on the
full-width transparent OLED display. It is named after Eleanor
Thornton, the model who inspired sculptor Charles Robert Sykes’ iconic
Rolls-Royce bonnet ornament. The more time Eleanor spends on the road
with a passenger, the more she learns about their interests and needs
– their favourite restaurants, tastes in art and favourite routes, for
instance – and about the preferences and desires of all the other
vehicle occupants as well, of course. Using speech interaction, the
passengers can call upon her services to tailor their journey as desired.
The Grand Arrival – Stepping out at your destination in
ultimate elegance.
From the outside, the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 is a vision of
timeless aesthetics. Measuring 5.9 m in length, its silhouette
radiates powerful elegance. At the same time, its coupé-style forms
and the free-standing wheel arches on either side of the Pantheon
radiator grille lend dynamism and lightness to its outward appearance.
The elegance and lightness of the body is further underscored by the
paintwork “Crystal Water” and the Spirit of Ecstasy, made from
hand-cut lead crystal and illuminated from inside.
Thanks to its impressive exterior design, the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT
100 will attract attention wherever it arrives. Its charismatic
presence is further enhanced by the way the passengers alight: in a
generous gesture, the roof and coach door open to reveal the interior
of the vehicle. Passengers simply stand up and gracefully step out.
The spectacle is additionally underscored by light projections, which
create a “red carpet” showing the way out and turn every arrival into
a Grand Arrival.
Should the need arise, two umbrellas integrated into the doors are
available to protect passengers from the elements. Rolls-Royce bespoke
luggage can be stowed in the front of the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100,
where there is ample storage space. An intelligent mechanism opens a
hatch in the side of the car and presents the luggage to the waiting
hands of the porter.
Giles Taylor, Design Director Rolls-Royce Motor Cars: “With the
Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 we were very mindful not to dwell on the
past. We wanted to be as innovative as possible and at the same time
transcend the design history of the marque.”
- 4. BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100:
“The Great Escape.”
“The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 embodies the BMW Group’s vision of
biking in a connected world – an analogue experience in a digital age.
Motorcycling is about escaping from the everyday: the moment you
straddle your bike, you are absolutely free. Your bike is The Great
Escape”, says Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design at BMW Motorrad,
outlining the core principles underlying his brand’s Vision Vehicle.
The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 stands for the ultimate riding
experience. Liberated from the need to wear a helmet and protective
clothing, the rider is able to enjoy the forces: acceleration, wind
and nature as in touch with the surrounding world, savouring every
moment. The design of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 represents the
essence of the motorcycle: the perfect synthesis between human and
machine. Every detail is of the highest quality and the design
incorporates all the most striking visual aspects of BMW Motorrad
bikes across the ages. These elements, however, have a contemporary
twist, both visually and in terms of function.
The iconic elements in the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 make it
immediately recognisable as a “genuine BMW” and include the black
frame triangle, white lines and classic, boxer engine forms. The bike
itself, however, is powered by a zero-emissions solution.
The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 unites the past of the BMW Motorrad
brand with its future and is a powerful expression of both.
The frame triangle – a classic icon reinvented.
The black frame triangle of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 is a
deliberate reference to the first ever BMW motorcycle, the R32, made
in 1923. On the vision bike, however, it has been reinterpreted to
form a functional sculpture linking the front and rear wheels with a
dynamic sweep. Bearings and joints are nowhere to be seen; instead the
frame appears as a single, integrated whole.
Viewed from the side, the frame of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100
lends it the character of a naked bike, with ergonomics to match and a
seat in the roadster position. The clever arrangement of surfaces
protects the rider from wind and weather as effectively as a full
fairing. The surface of the frame is covered in matt black textile,
its silky sheen and fine lines highlighting the characteristic forms
and representing a contemporary reinterpretation of this classic BMW
detail. The BMW logo is optimally displayed on the dark frame. It is
illuminated in the familiar blue and white colours while driving.
“Flexframe” – frame-assisted steering.
The Flexframe appears as a single, integrated whole that extends from
the front to the rear wheel of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100. Being
flexible, it allows the bike to be steered without the various joints
found on today’s motorcycles. Turning the handlebar adjusts the entire
frame, changing the direction of the bike. The amount of strength
needed to steer depends on the situation: at standstill, the Flexframe
allows a light steering whereas at higher speeds it remains very rigid.
“Powertrain” – inspired by the BMW boxer engine.
In the middle of the triangle frame sits a style feature and
historical reminder: the power unit. Designed and created in the image
of the traditional BMW boxer engine, it actually consists of a
zero-emissions drive unit. Its outward appearance changes depending on
the circumstances: when the bike is resting, the power unit is
compact, extending outwards only when the bike sets off, to enhance
aerodynamics and protect the rider from the elements. Its polished
aluminium finish confirms the superior quality of this component.
Minimalist form, maximum quality of details.
The slender-looking BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 clearly expresses
its qualities as a riding machine. The front is minimalist in design
and enhanced with high-quality details. Integrated into the frame
above the front wheel is a large, metal reflector incorporating the
two vertically positioned, U-shaped elements that make up the daytime
running light. It also acts as a wind deflector and, in combination
with the small, integrated windshield, helps to optimise the air flows.
Body elements such as the seat, upper frame cover and wings are made
of carbon.
Beneath the seat shell, two fine, red, illuminated strips form the
rear light and indicators – picking up on the typical double-C form of
the rear lights on today’s BMW Motorrad bikes – but with a new,
futuristic twist.
Damping is provided by the tyres, whose variable tread actively
adjusts to suit ground conditions and ensure the best possible grip in
any situation.
Analogue elements in the digital age.
Overall, displays, cables and buttons are a rare sight on the BMW
Motorrad VISION NEXT 100. But amid the clear forms of its front is one
element that immediately stands out: a red rocker-switch on the
right-hand end of the handlebar. This obviously mechanical element
blocks or releases the throttle grip and is a homage to the analogue
days of original biking.
The hand levers with their outward-facing joints are also a reminder
of days gone by.
BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100: What kind of world will be home
to the motorcycle of the future?
“Normally, when we develop a motorcycle, we tend to think 5 to 10
years in advance. On this occasion, we looked much further ahead and
found the experience especially exciting. There are some very
attractive prospects. I firmly believe the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT
100 sets out a coherent future scenario for the BMW Motorrad brand”,
explains Edgar Heinrich.
When designing the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100, the team was
thinking decades in advance. In tomorrow’s world, connectivity and
digitalisation will be all-encompassing. Most vehicles will be
driverless, and life will be organised largely by digital services.
More and more of the world’s population will be living in urban areas.
Digital technologies for an analogue experience.
Building on the benefits of the digital world, the BMW Motorrad
VISION NEXT 100 takes the analogue riding experience to a completely
new level. The unique sensation of freedom is made possible by
intelligent connectivity between rider, bike and the outside world – a
combination that also allows the prediction of critical situations on
the roads. In conjunction with the active assistance systems, these
connected elements help keep riders of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT
100 in complete control of their ride. As well as anticipating what
lies ahead and alerting the user when action is needed, they offer
active rider protection and will consign the helmets and body
protectors of today to the history books.
“Self-balancing” – active, intelligent assistant systems.
In certain situations, the active assistance systems of the future
will also enhance stability and safety by automatically balancing the
motorcycle, both out on the road and when stationary. Novice riders
will benefit from additional guidance in all riding situations and
from a bike that will never tip over.
The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 rights itself while even stationary,
remaining upright when the rider has dismounted. The balancing systems
also work out on the road to ensure a particularly agile and dynamic
riding experience with even lighter handling, which seasoned riders
will appreciate, and all the benefits of assistance systems to enhance
their capabilities even further. The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100
helps every biker become more proficient and enjoy an even more
positive riding experience. Every trip becomes a journey of freedom,
from beginning to end.
The “Digital Companion” – connected. Ubiquitous. Discreet.
When combined, the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 bike and the special
rider’s gear that has been designed to accompany it form a single
functional unit: a Digital Companion that provides the situational
information and active support the rider needs. But because biking is
essentially about the experience, the Digital Companion remains in the
background: though constantly active, it works away unnoticed until
required to issue an alert via the user interface or provide active
assistance, for instance. Unless the rider or circumstances require
it, the Digital Companion remains silent.
“A key point with the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 was to make sure
the constant digital presence doesn’t undermine the analogue riding
experience. The display and operating concept works so subtly that the
rider can enjoy an entirely natural biking experience, trusting the
bike completely and enjoying complete freedom and ease. As interface
designers, our job is to deliver the right amount of the right
information at the best possible time and place”, explains Holger
Hampf, Head of User Experience at the BMW Group.
The visor – the right information at the right time.
Information exchanges between rider and bike take place largely via
the visor. This essentially consists of a pair of data glasses that
extends across the wearer’s entire field of vision. As well as
providing wind protection, it shows relevant data in one of four
designated display areas. These are controlled by the rider’s eye
movements: looking up or down changes the content that appears, and
looking straight ahead switches the information off completely,
leaving the rider to focus even more fully on biking experience.
Information is only projected onto the visor on request, or to alert
the rider to the fact that action is needed.
“The bike has the full range of connected data from its surroundings
and a set of intelligent systems working in the background, so it
knows exactly what lies ahead. By collating the data it has gathered,
it can suggest ideal lines and banking angles, or warn riders of
hazards ahead,” Hampf continues. When suggesting lines and angles, the
Digital Companion appears in the lower third of the field of view,
represented by an upturned triangle from which two horizontal lines
extend outwards. Like the display in an aeroplane cockpit, this symbol
indicates the current banking angle and ideal lines. If the bike’s
current position does not match what is suggested, the rider can
correct it as necessary. If he or she responds too late or not at all,
the bike will correct itself. The Digital Companion’s advice not only
helps novices to learn more about what they and their bikes can do. It
also supports experienced riders by allowing them to challenge
themselves and continuously improve their skills.
Looking upwards activates the rear-view function in the visor,
allowing the rider to see what is going on on the road behind.
Lowering the eyes to normal levels opens a menu from which the rider
can select an option by pointing a finger. Looking further down opens
the map view showing the rider’s chosen route.
Smart. Active. Flexible – rider’s equipment.
The rider’s gear accompanying the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 is
integral to the unique overall experience. In classic black and white,
the airy suit enhances the sense of freedom and is both fashion
statement and weather-wear. Depending on conditions, it warms or cools
the user. While the diagonal zipper across the chest is reminiscent of
traditional motorcycle clothing, the flexible, banded structure of the
suit and shoes is inspired by the muscle areas of the human body and
provides body support and relief whenever needed.
At higher speeds, the neck section inflates to provide extra support
for the upper vertebrae and improve overall comfort. Variable openings
offer additional ventilation. Unlike present-day suits, however, the
futuristic outfit for riders of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100
offers no safety features, because the bike’s intelligent assistance
systems make them superfluous. Instead, sensors in the suit keep track
of the wearer’s pulse rate and body temperature and provide the right
level of heat or cold. The suit also delivers navigation instructions
via the vibrating elements in the arms and legs, and alerts the rider
when the banking angle is becoming critical. Rider and machine form a
single functional unit to offer a more intense riding experience than
ever before. Edgar Heinrich sums up: “The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100
unites the best of both worlds – digital and analogue – for the
ultimate emotional experience: The Great Escape.”
3. Media Contact.
BMW Group Centenary Year
Glenn.Schmidt@bmw.de
Christine.Graeber@bmw.de
Agnes.Weiss-Tar@bmw.de
BMW VISION NEXT 100
MINI VISION NEXT 100
Cypselus.von-Frankenberg@bmw.de
Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100
Andrew.Boyle@rolls-roycemotorcars.com
Andrew.Ball@rolls-roycemotorcars.com
BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100
Renate.Heim@bmw.de
Markus.Sagemann@bmw.de