The star of the BMW Group's #NextGen event in Munich this week has been revealed in all its glory as a new concept car mixing the best of the BMW M and BMW i divisions. Think of the Vision M Next as an M-flavoured look at the next generation of BMW i8.
Inspired by the BMW M1
We're looking at a compact two-seat coupe with gullwing-opening doors that uses plenty of retro design cues from the BMW M1 and BMW Turbo concept of 1972. Check out the dinky little BMW badges within the rear lights, the louvres in the back window and the extra detail on the sides behind the i8-like side glass.
However, it's brimming with futuristic details and new technology, much of which we expect BMW to develop into full production. For example, the concept debuts BMW's innovative new Laser Wire lighting, which uses phosphorous-coated glass fibres to create incredibly slim lighting units with very little limit on the shape or design. This is used to good effect on the Vision M Next's double-stacked front lights and on the super-thin rear maps as well.
A wedge of Thrilling Orange
The Vision M Next's relatively unadorned wedge profile (it has no door mirrors or visible door handles) contrasts sharply with bright 'Thrilling Orange' detailing to emphasise certain aspects of the design relating to the car's aerodynamics. Up front, this clearly identifies the flow path for air and there's even a stylised splitter, while the kidney grille gets a softer and less aggressive look than the latest new BMW production cars - and it's illuminated for good measure. Oddly, it's just a styling feature, as it's blanked off with nearly transparent panels.
A set of good-looking (but ready for production if you ask us) 21-inch alloy wheels is fitted to the front axle, with an open design to maximise brake cooling. Meanwhile, as the rear brakes require less air, the back wheels (22-inch rims) feature bright orange inserts to help reduce drag. Ahead of the rear wheels, and integrated into the black side sills (made from recycled carbon fibre), are large air intakes, apparently for aerodynamic reasons. Presumably they feed the massive dark diffuser that dominates the rear view of the concept.
For the 'actively engaged driver'
While last year's BMW Vision i Next concept explored how a fully autonomous car interior could look in what BMW calls 'Ease' mode - i.e. fully driverless - this new M one focuses on the 'Boost' alter-ego, i.e. it's for people that want to drive, in BMW's words, the 'actively engaged drivers.' The car uses facial recognition technology to allow the driver to open the door, which reveals an incredibly minimal cabin. Instead of a traditional dashboard there's a 'Boost Pod' with a tiny steering wheel and a gorgeous Curved Glass Display in front of that. The windscreen is then used for an advanced head-up display that uses augmented reality, allowing the driver keep their eyes on the road at all times.
BMW's designers paid a lot of attention to the materials used too, with leather only on the steering wheel and door pull handles. Elsewhere there's a woven microfibre fabric in Midnight Blue with orange accents, along with anodised titanium in places. In terms of practicalities, the air vents are hidden from view, as are storage areas in the doors and centre console, while there's even a 'gyroscopic' cupholder that can compensate for the car's movements at speeds...
Powerful plug-in hybrid
While the remit of the Vision M Next may be to explore how BMW M and BMW i can work together in the future, and it focuses heavily on the interior and exterior design, BMW did tantalise us with a few choice technical details. There's a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine behind the cabin as part of the 'Power PHEV' package, which appears to have an electric motor on the front axle and another within the automatic transmission bolted to the petrol engine. This plug-in hybrid system allows the option of all-electric four-wheel drive, a mix of both petrol and electric propulsion and even pure rear-wheel drive.
Maximum power output for the system is quoted as 600hp, while 0-100km/h can take as little as three seconds. BMW also quotes a 300km/h top speed. Perhaps of more interest for a future where there are likely to be more zero emissions zones in cities, the Vision M Next can drive for up to 100 kilometres on electric power alone with a fully charged battery.
Electrification of BMW M
While this show car is only a concept vehicle for now, it clearly shows that BMW M is looking to the future. Indeed, in an interview with CompleteCar.ie, Markus Flasch, CEO of the BMW M division, confirmed that it was inevitable that M products would adopt electrification in the future. Saying that, he also said that high-performance cars such as those produced by BMW M, do not need to be the first to market with electric innovation. Fans of the M brand may worry about an electric-powered future, but if it looks half as good as the Vision M Next, it's something to look forward to, that's for sure.