Munich. The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse celebrates its world premiere at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It showcases the new BMW M design language and sets a clear signal for the brand’s all-electric future. The future BMW M product portfolio combines expressive design, high performance and innovative materials.

The vehicle builds a bridge between its history and motorsport.
It is instantly recognisable as a high-performance automobile. BMW M thus remains true to its guiding principle: “Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets.”

“The new BMW M design language forms the expressive spearhead of the Neue Klasse – determined and purposeful,” says Oliver Heilmer, Head of Design BMW Compact Class, Neue Klasse and BMW M. “At BMW M, form consistently follows function. Every detail serves performance. This project is truly special to me because it carries the BMW M character into a new era.”

Form, function and motorsport references in the exterior design.
Powerful proportions, precise lines and a muscular shoulder section with wide wheel arches define the unmistakable BMW M character.

Numerous M-specific design measures optimise aerodynamics – including the reinterpreted M aero exterior mirrors in the colours of BMW M.

A distinctive air outlet shapes the V-shaped front bonnet. It supports the cooling of the electric drivetrain.

A forward-facing shark nose and a light signature with depth effect characterise the front end. Headlights and kidney grille form a single unit. The new M Yellow Lights create a focused view of the road. The yellow light icons are set to become a new signature feature of future BMW M automobiles and reference GT racing cars as well as the BMW M Hybrid V8.

The front apron of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse adopts a trimaran-style bumper, inspired by the form of high-speed sailing boats. The three-part design underlines the vehicle’s technical appearance. It also provides structural support for the front splitter – an aerodynamic element at the lower edge of the front end.

Another new lighting accent for future BMW M automobiles are the three-dimensional Track Lights located in the outer sections of the front apron.

Track Lights and trimaran design also shape the rear apron of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse. The Track Lights frame the trimaran element above the floating diffuser. A striking ducktail spoiler improves aerodynamics, increases downforce at the rear axle and at the same time sets a striking accent within the clean surface design of the rear end.

Natural fibre elements are used in both the exterior and interior of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse – for example in the front splitter, the bonnet air outlet and the diffuser. For the first time, natural fibre is not only used in its pure form but also in a refined finish with M branding in the roof graphic.

The newly developed Monza Red metallic paint finish and the red-and-blue coded centre-lock wheels strengthen the visual link to BMW M and motorsport.

Driver-focused cockpit for an intense BMW M experience.
The interior of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse is reduced and consistently geared towards the driving experience in a next-generation all-electric BMW M.

Four newly developed bucket seats provide secure support even in highly dynamic driving situations and integrate structural elements made from natural fibre materials. The seat upholstery in Bathurst Blue and Berry Red picks up the BMW M colours in a two-tone Merino leather finish. Red five-point belts emphasise the sporty character.

For the first time in a BMW M vehicle, high-quality black nubuck leather is used. It can be found on the steering wheel, the door panels and the roll bar.

The floating dashboard is finished in black knit material and features M-specific hexagonal backlighting.

Red accents on the M gear selector, the shift paddles on the M steering wheel and in the digital displays add targeted sporty highlights in the cockpit and put performance centre stage.

High performance and BMW M driving experience in a new dimension.
The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse represents the next chapter in the M-typical blend of dynamics, agility and precision. The innovative BMW M eDrive drive concept with four electric motors and BMW M Dynamic Performance Control elevates driving experience and racetrack capability to a new level.

“Even in the new all-electric era, we continue the M-typical tradition of transferring both technological innovations and defining design features directly from motorsport into series production,” says Franciscus van Meel, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M GmbH.

BMW M eDrive is based on the Neue Klasse’s Gen6 technology and was developed specifically for all-electric BMW M automobiles. The drivetrain concept combines four electric motors with the central control software BMW M Dynamic Performance Control in the high-performance computer Heart of Joy. Thanks to the integrated, wheel-specific control of the drivetrain and braking systems, BMW M eDrive opens up new potential for driving dynamics and driving safety. It enables high recuperation performance, optimal traction right up to the limit and particularly direct response.

The 800-volt technology and the high-voltage battery with an energy content of more than 100 kWh create the conditions for long-range capability. A BMW M-specific optimised version of sixth-generation cylindrical cells provides particularly high output when delivering energy to the electric motors and during charging. The housing of the high-voltage battery is structurally integrated with both the front and rear axle, thereby additionally contributing to driving dynamics.

Munich/Cernobbio. Revealed at the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Vision BMW ALPINA is a design study that heralds a new chapter for a brand defined by extreme capability, sophistication, and the mastery of both performance and comfort.

“Alpina has always represented a very specific idea of performance and re finement—where speed and comfort are complementary ambitions. Our role as the new custodians of this brand is to preserve this distinctiveness and shape it for a contemporary context,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design. “Vision BMW ALPINA shows how these qualities can be expressed with discipline and modernity, suggesting what our direction is for this brand as we move it into the future.”

DESIGN AND FORM: THE SHAPE OF SPEED 
The Vision BMW ALPINA is a respectful interpretation of the brand’s heritage, shaped by the most contemporary creative instincts. At 5,200 mm in length, its presence is substantial: wide, low, and confident. The coupé roofline is long and raked, its form immediately signals both speed and the ability to ac commodate four adults in genuine comfort. A V8 powertrain drives the experi ence, tuned to produce the characteristic notes of the Alpina exhaust: rich and deep at low speed, sonorous at high revs. 

“In Vision BMW ALPINA, we distil every element of the brand to its essence and apply it in a deeply modern and sophisticated way,” says Maximilian Mis soni, head of BMW Design Midsize & Luxury Cars and BMW ALPINA. “Every detail reflects substance: in engineering, in materials, and in the story it tells. The statements it makes are subtle and revealed only on a closer read. This interplay between purity and richness defines our approach to BMW ALPINA design.”

The front end is defined by powerful volumes and a forward-leaning stance that promises speed without overstatement. The shark nose reinterprets BMW’s kidney grille as a three-dimensional sculpture that leads the car’s form and frames the brand emblem with quiet confidence.

From this shark nose, the exterior is organized around a single visual axis: the speed feature line. Rising from the lower front corners at a six-degree inclina tion, it runs along the side of the body and wraps around the rear—assertive enough to suggest motion, controlled enough to remain refined.

HALLMARKS AND PRINCIPLES: “SECOND READ” SOPHISTICATION
Subtle secondary details reward attention without demanding it. This “Sec ond Read” principle runs throughout the Vision BMW ALPINA.

Deco-lines have been part of Alpina’s language since 1974. For the Vision BMW ALPINA, the modernized deco-lines are distilled and painted on the side of the body beneath the clear coat—a quiet gesture that reflects how the brand’s defining details can be adapted to what comes next.

Inward-facing return surfaces are treated with particular care, finished in a dark metallic tone that rewards a closer read. This approach is inspired by the BMW 507, which uses chrome only on the inside of its kidney grilles.

The shark nose captures the same “Second Read” sophistication: the inner surfaces feature a finely scaled signature Deco-line graphic, while a con cealed, softly backlit perimeter reveals it only when active.

A warm white tone characterizes the daytime running lights and traces the kidney surrounds, inspired by the first light over the Bavarian Alps. Clear-cut illuminated crystals add a precise highlight within the slender lamps.

The elliptical four-pipe exhaust remains, as does the “ALPINA” lettering—re interpreted as a machined, polished metal element on the lower front apron. The 22-inch front and 23-inch rear wheels feature the 20-spokes design that has been a constant at Alpina since 1971. 

INTERIOR AND DETAILS: ARCHITECTURAL CLARITY
The cabin is generous in every sense: space, material quality, and the care with which technology has been integrated. Architectural volumes define the layout, with each element designed as a standalone form, not absorbed into a homogeneous interior.

The six-degree speed feature line continues through the interior, dividing the darker upper segment and the lighter lower segment. Full-grain leather— sourced from producers across the Alpine region—pairs with stitching inspired by the Deco-lines. 

Craft details are restrained but well considered: a bridge stitch inspired by his toric steering wheel hand-stitching appears sparingly in heritage blue and green colors, while a watchmaking-inspired beveling technique was used for the metal components, combining satin and polished finishes. Clear-cut crys tal is reserved for the controls that shape how the automobile drives, under lining the value BMW ALPINA places on the driving experience itself.

Behind the rear console, a glass water bottle sits beside BMW ALPINA crystal glasses that rise on a self-deploying mechanism. Each glass is engraved with 20 deco-lines and features a six-degree rim profile, held by concealed mag nets and softly lit against the open-grain center console.

A COMFORTABLE DRIVER IS A FASTER DRIVER
Burkard Bovensiepen understood something much of the automotive world has forgotten: a comfortable driver is a faster driver. That belief remains cen tral to the Vision BMW ALPINA. Alpina offers Comfort+, a setting beyond the standard BMW comfort calibration that delivers a more supple, refined char acter, and it is retained here.

BMW Panoramic iDrive, including the new passenger screen, spans the dash board with a digital user interface language crafted specifically for BMW AL PINA. Heritage blue and green are introduced with discipline, intensifying as the driver moves from Comfort+ to Speed mode within the BMW Panoramic Vision head-up display. The background imagery is equally considered. The Alpine landscape depicted is an exact rendering of the mountain range visible when looking south from Buchloe. 

ROOTED IN THE BRAND’S ORIGINS
The Alpina story began in 1965 in Buchloe, Germany, a small Bavarian town in the shadow of the Alps. Burkard Bovensiepen—destined for a career in typewriter manufacturing—chose instead high-performance tuning, founding Alpina and then refining BMW road and racing cars. From the outset, his phi losophy was clear: speed and comfort were complementary, not competing ambitions.

In endurance racing, while rivals stripped weight, Burkard added extra pad ding to the driver’s seat: he understood that a more comfortable driver is a faster driver. That insight carried over to the road cars that followed, cele brated for composure and sophistication at high speed over long distances.

ALPINA B7 COUPÉ: A POINT OF MATURITY
The Alpina B7 coupé of the late 1970s marked a turning point: Alpina’s phi losophy was applied to a luxury car, and every model that followed was rec ognized as luxurious. Based on the BMW E24 6 Series, its long bonnet, wide stance, and shark nose looked fast even at rest, while the cabin could com fortably carry four people across a continent. The Vision BMW ALPINA is the next chapter of that story.

BMW ALPINA—AN EXCLUSIVE BRAND WITHIN THE BMW GROUP
BMW ALPINA became an exclusive brand within the BMW Group in 2026, bringing proven stewardship and a clear responsibility: to understand what Alpina means to those who cherish it and to honor that in what follows.

"BMW ALPINA fills a gap in our portfolio between BMW and Rolls-Royce as we see even more potential in the high-end segment. With Alpina we have a strong legacy and a global community, which we want to build on, while pre serving the essence of what the brand stands for—speed, comfort and sophis tication,“ says Oliver Viellechner, head of BMW ALPINA.

Next year, customers will be able to experience the first model of the BMW ALPINA brand—inspired by the BMW 7 Series, but unmistakably BMW ALPINA. 

Munich/Milan. Presenting A Garden of Curiosity – an immersive installation cocreated by MINI and Paul Smith for the Salone del Mobile. Set in the historic Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda in Milan, A Garden of Curiosity adds yet another highlight to the rich history the collaborators already share. Connected by their British heritage and iconic designs, the two design houses come together to celebrate optimism, curiosity and innovative spirit. The installation combines Paul Smith’s signature use of colour with the eye for detail for which MINI is renowned and invites visitors to explore and enjoy the playful world of design. 

“Paul Smith and MINI complement one another perfectly, as our collaboration for this project demonstrates once again. We are united by the joy of design, and our shared enthusiasm for craftsmanship, innovation and individuality makes A Garden of Curiosity an experience full of colour, sound and expression,” said Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design.

Visitors immerse themselves in colour and sound: an experience for all the senses

Set amid the enchanted garden of the Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda, the installation is accessed via a wooden footbridge that takes visitors across the courtyard and through a red door. The door represents a symbolic invitation to look and see. On the other side is the green space created by MINI and Paul Smith. It consists of pathways that are lined with plants and grasses and lead to open platforms and cubic installations. The iconic Paul Smith Signature Stripe runs discreetly through the garden as a recurring design element. Architecture, textures, colour and sound converge to create sensory experiences. 

Interactive theme rooms

The Colour Theory Room acts as a visual intersection between Paul Smith’s signature colour palette and the colours of the new MINI Paul Smith Edition. Visitors can arrange colour samples on an interactive wall, the overall picture changing constantly throughout the day with each new personal design. In keeping with the philosophy of Sir Paul, the wall also gives visitors the opportunity to experiment with colour combinations.  

The Listening Room builds on this experience with Sir Paul’s voice recordings, highlighting the importance of colour theory. Another open platform invites visitors to experience the space with all their senses, allowing them to consciously enjoy a moment away from the hustle and bustle of Milan.

Adding the joy of discovery to the installation, the new MINI Cooper Convertible Paul Smith Edition is waiting to be found and invites visitors to take a closer look. Its appearance and details not only reflect Paul Smith’s distinctive style, but also capture the brand’s playful, optimistic and independent spirit. This exclusive highlight of the installation merges into the charming overall scene.

“I’ve always adored my visits to Milan for Salone del Mobile and I’m delighted to be back in the city to introduce the world of design to my new MINI. I look forward to sharing this special project with you all,” said Sir Paul Smith.

Heritage meets curiosity

Walking through the courtyard to the installation, visitors are immersed in the history of MINI and Paul Smith. Here, they can explore three cars from the collaboration between the two companies, which stretches back to 1998: the Paul Smith 40th Anniversary Mini, the MINI STRIP by Paul Smith and another MINI Cooper from the latest Edition. The specially created colour Nottingham Green adds stylish accents to the Edition’s mirror caps, octagonal radiator grille and wheel hub covers with Paul Smith lettering. A selection of others details also reflect the distinctive style of Paul Smith and ensure this MINI Edition captures the essence of ‘classic with a twist’. 

The Paul Smith 40th Anniversary Mini: A one-off car from 1999, whose bodywork morphed into a living work of art with 86 stripes in 26 colours. The interior also contained surprising use of colour (e.g. the lime green glove compartment) and highlighted Paul Smith’s playful style.

The MINI STRIP by Paul Smith: Another one-of-a-kind creation, the MINI STRIP of 2021 – based on the MINI Cooper  – was reduced to the essentials, as per the principle of ‘less is more’. The minimalist design put the focus on construction and function, with the aim of showcasing a new-at-the-time, responsible approach to design.

A Garden of Curiosity will be open on 21 – 26 April 2026 as part of the Salone del Mobile in Milan. It can be visited in the House of MINI at Via A. Manzoni 41 each day between 10.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m.

Munich/Cernobbio. At the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2025, the renowned celebration of historic vehicles on the shores of Lake Como in Italy, the BMW Group is presenting an exclusive new concept car that will subsequently be made available for purchase in a small series. 

The BMW Concept Speedtop reimagines the sporty Touring, blending the elegance of a shooting brake with unique proportions.

"A true BMW exudes dynamism and elegance even when it’s standing still,"
says Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. "And that’s also the case with our new concept car. The BMW Concept Speedtop is characterised first of all by its profile. It is very unique in the automotive industry. In this way, we have created an exclamation mark for our entire lineup of vehicles, especially for the Touring models."

The generous interior invites for weekend getaways for two. High-quality materials, the focus on every detail, and the stylistic connection between exterior and interior are a testament for its true craftsmanship.

The BMW Concept Speedtop shares its eye-catching form language with the
BMW Skytop and will be offered to collectors and connoisseurs in a strictly limited small series.

Unique profile, dynamic proportions

The pronounced V-shape of the front end, with its shark-nose design, the slim front lights and the illuminated kidney grille give the BMW Concept Speedtop an unmistakable presence. The continuation of the central spline from the bonnet over the roof to the rear spoiler gives the car a dynamic Touring profile. The colour gradient on the roof, moving from “Floating Sunstone Maroon” to “Floating Sundown Silver”, accentuates this shape. The athletic design is enhanced by the car’s broad shoulders. Its elegance is underscored by two-tone, 14-spoke wheels, which have been designed specifically for the BMW Concept Speedtop.

Luxurious craftsmanship

The interior of the BMW Concept Speedtop was designed with a strong focus to even the smallest detail. Skillfully crafted, traditional brogue-style details accentuate the leather-trimmed surfaces and emphasise the manufactory-level craftmanship on display. 

The two-tone colour and material concept creates a connection between the exterior and interior. The sparkling brown tone of the “Floating Sunstone Maroon” exterior paint is carried over into the interior. Here, the brown "Sundown Maroon" world harmonises with the light "Moonstone White" of the seats. The two-tone leather upholstery divides the dynamic and functional areas of the interior.
The visually striking roof spline in the exterior is mirrored as a light beam in the two-tone leather headliner, providing an atmospheric, indirect illumination.

The trunk is also leather-covered and refined with brogue-style perforations.
A light beam illuminates the luggage compartment, which is divided into two sections. This allows large items of luggage to be stowed inside for multi-day trips.
The elaborate craftsmanship in the exterior and interior was realised with the expertise of the Manufactory workshop at the BMW Group plant in Dingolfing.

The virtuosity in the design of the BMW Concept Speedtop is further enhanced through the collaboration with the traditional Italian manufacturer Schedoni. Known for the production of exclusive and high-quality leather goods by hand, especially in the automotive sector, Schedoni has always stood for highest quality and customisation. Two storage areas with leather straps behind the seats provide space for two of Schedoni’s made-to-measure bags. The bags were designed exclusively for the Concept to fit in with its colour and material concept. A matching weekend bag can also be accommodated in the trunk.

Most powerful V8 in the portfolio and limited-run small series

The concept car’s engine ensures it scales the heights not only in terms of design, but also performance. It is fitted with the most powerful V8 engine currently offered by BMW. 

"Last year, the presentation of the BMW Concept Skytop at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on Lake Como generated great enthusiasm among connoisseurs and automotive enthusiasts," says Bernd Körber, Senior Vice President BMW Brand and Product Management. "This led to a strictly limited production run of 50 units. Thanks to this positive response, this year we have decided to also offer the BMW Concept Speedtop in a limited production series of 70 units. This extraordinary vehicle is now available for order. We are pleased to be able to offer collectors and enthusiasts another exclusive model."

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Laura Kanamüller

Press spokesperson, BMW Design

Telephone: +49-151-601-51110

Email: Laura.Kanamueller@bmw.com

Steven Wörns

Press spokesperson, BMW Group Design

Telephone: +49-151-601-16992

Email: Steven.Woerns@bmw.com

Cypselus von Frankenberg

Press spokesperson, Product Communication BMW Automobiles

Telephone: +49-89-382-30641

E-Mail: Cypselus.von-Frankenberg@bmw.de

No emblemático Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, às margens do Lago Como, em Itália, a BMW apresentou o novo BMW Concept Speedtop – um concept car que combina o espírito Touring com a elegância de uma shooting brake, reinterpretado com proporções únicas e design marcante. O modelo será produzido numa série limitada de apenas 70 unidades, destinadas a colecionadores e entusiastas de todo o Mundo. 

“Um verdadeiro BMW emana dinamismo e elegância mesmo quando está parado. É isso que procurámos com o BMW Concept Speedtop – uma afirmação de estilo para toda a nossa gama, especialmente para os modelos Touring”, afirma Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of Design do BMW Group.

Um perfil único, proporções atléticas

O BMW Concept Speedtop destaca-se pela silhueta dinâmica, com destaque para a dianteira visualmente longa, grelha iluminada em formato “shark nose”, faróis frontais esguios e uma linha central vincada que se prolonga do capot até ao spoiler traseiro. A pintura com gradiente cromático — do “Floating Sunstone Maroon” ao “Floating Sundown Silver” — acentua a fluidez do perfil. As jantes exclusivas de 14 raios, em dois tons, sublinham o equilíbrio entre sofisticação e performance.

Concept com assinatura italiana

No interior, os materiais de elevada qualidade e os detalhes realçam o caráter exclusivo deste concept. O habitáculo apresenta uma harmonia perfeita entre o exterior e o interior através da combinação entre a cor “Sundown Maroon” e o branco “Moonstone White”. O tejadilho é forrado a pele bicolor e conta com iluminação indireta que acompanha a linha central do design exterior.

A bagageira está igualmente revestida a pele, com iluminação ambiente e dois compartimentos distintos para longas viagens. Atrás dos bancos, dois compartimentos com tiras de couro guardam um conjunto exclusivo de malas desenhadas pela Schedoni, o prestigiado fabricante italiano de artigos de luxo. Uma mala de fim de semana, que acompanha os tons do veículo, pode ser acomodado na bagageira, completando o conjunto premium.

Potência máxima, produção exclusiva

Equipado com um motor V8, o mais potente da gama BMW, o Concept Speedtop oferece uma experiência de condução à altura do seu design. Após o sucesso do BMW Concept Skytop em 2024, que resultou numa edição limitada de 50 unidades, a BMW avança agora com a produção de 70 exemplares do Concept Speedtop.

“Este veículo extraordinário está já disponível para encomenda. É com enorme satisfação que voltamos a oferecer aos nossos colecionadores e entusiastas uma peça exclusiva”, refere Bernd Körber, Senior Vice President BMW Brand and Product Management.

Com o Concept Speedtop, a BMW reforça a sua capacidade de combinar arte automóvel, inovação e exclusividade, celebrando o design emocional e o prazer de condução que definem o verdadeiro espírito dos Tourings. 

Munich. The BMW Group sees design as a transformative force that contributes to dialogue and enables new forms of cooperation. The motto of this year’s munich creative business week (mcbw) “How to design a vibrant community” reflects this view. In these times of increasing polarisation, design plays a key role in encouraging community and developing innovative solutions. Claudia Fräßdorf, Head of BMW Group Color & Material Design, artist Morag Myerscough, and sociologist Prof. Dr. Armin Nassehi will use the New Modes VI Talk to highlight the role of design in social structures. Since the first mcbw in 2012, the BMW Group has been a dedicated partner of the event, underscoring its ongoing commitment to a sustainable and inclusive future. The 14th edition of mcbw – taking place on 10 – 18 May 2025 – will see creatives, companies and students of design, architecture and business meet up in Munich to share ideas on current issues. “Design brings people together and creates innovative ways for us to interact with one other,” emphasises Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. “It opens up a wide variety of perspectives and crafts sustainable solutions.”

New Modes VI / “Me in a bigger We”

BMW Group Design is teaming up with Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum to host the sixth New Modes event, which explores the unifying quality of design. The members of this year’s panel for “Me in a bigger We” – Claudia Fräßdorf, Head of BMW Group Colour & Material Design, artist Morag Myerscough and sociologist Prof. Dr. Armin Nassehi – will examine the role of the individual within the collective and the transformative power of design. The event will take place on 18 May 2025 in the X-D-E-P-O-T space at the Pinakothek der Moderne (a contemporary art, architecture and design venue in Munich) and provide a platform for discussing innovative design approaches. The talk will be chaired by Sonja Pham, freelance journalist and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of creative publication Grafikmagazin.

Panel members:

Prof. Dr. Armin Nassehi: The renowned sociologist is Chairman of the Senate at LMU München and Deputy Chairman of the University Council, and has been a Member of the Bavarian Ethics Council since October 2024. His work focuses on analysis of societal transformation processes and the idea of a “society of the present”.

Morag Myerscough: With her boldly colourful installations, the London-based artist creates places where people can meet and feel a sense of belonging. On 26 June, her project FLUX will open up a “third place” in Munich’s Kunstareal cultural hub. Running for five years, FLUX will offer visitors an interactive public space “where your imagination can run wild, filling your heart with joy” – and provide an inviting location for people to gather together.

Claudia Fräßdorf: As Head of BMW Group Colour & Material Design, Claudia Fräßdorf uses a holistic approach to develop tailored design concepts that bring together innovative materials, pioneering technologies and sustainable values. In this way, she shapes the tactile and aesthetic identity of the brand’s models with a keen sense for our constantly changing world.

BMW Group x munich creative business week

mcbw will be staging a multitude of events focusing on the challenges and possibilities of contemporary design. The BMW Group is using this platform to share its vision of a sustainable and inclusive future and to showcase innovative approaches to design.

You can find further information on the event programme and registration at www.mcbw.de/en/.

In the event of enquiries please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Laura-Marie Kremser, Spokesperson BMW Group Designworks, UI/UX Design

Telephone: +49-89-382-98114

E-mail: laura-marie.kremser@bmwgroup.com

Steven Woerns, Spokesperson BMW Group Design

Telephone: +49 151 601 169 92

E-mail: steven.woerns@bmw.com

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

E-mail: presse@bmw.de

Munich/Milan. BMW Group Design will present the installation “Vibrant Transitions” at the Salone del Mobile design fair on 8 – 13 April 2025. Visitors to the event venue in the historic Palazzo Borromeo d'Adda in the heart of Milan will be invited to explore thematic worlds from BMW and MINI illustrating the variety and scope of individual design.

Shaping the future with positivity

Openness and individualisation are the focal points of the BMW Group’s presence at this year’s Salone del Mobile. The designers are looking to the future with an optimistic eye and with an open mind to crossovers between disciplines and brands. For the first time at this prestigious event, the design team is interpreting technology and mobility solutions across different brands. The atmospheric presentation of the installation shines a spotlight on current analogue and digital design aspects of the BMW and MINI brands – first and foremost customisable driving experiences. Material and colour worlds, light and sound experiences have been created to generate the desired effect. “Our mobility design is becoming ever broader in scope,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. “Colours, materials, light, sound, geometry and digital experiences are brought together over the course of each project to create exciting and emotional customer experiences. With this in mind, our ‘Vibrant Transitions’ installation provides visitors to the Salone del Mobile with some inspirational insights.”

Seeing, hearing, feeling: as they enter the Palazzo Borromeo d'Adda, visitors can decide for themselves which route they would like to follow. Colour- accentuated corridors lead to the individual thematic areas and use translucent lamella structures to create distinctive visual perspectives both outwards and inwards. “Vibrant Transitions” explores light, colour, geometry and permeability. The installation shows how the BMW Group is channelling the spirit of openness and the allure of design as it enters a new era. The creative blueprint for the installation was to make transitions something visitors could experience. This is made possible by spatial flows, the interplay of day and night, and the fusion of materiality and digitality. Its execution delves into the intriguing contrasts between the MINI and BMW brands.

Individualisation as an expression of our personalities

Occupying centre stage in the installation’s three design worlds are the all-new BMW Panoramic iDrive (the revolutionary display and operating concept for the Neue Klasse), the BMW X3 “Designer's Choice” curated specially for the Salone del Mobile and the BMW CE 02 by MINI Design – a fresh and stylish, colour-rich version of the fully electric scooter. The perspectives generated through this spatial dialogue emphasise the vibrancy and positivity with which BMW Group Design is approaching the changing demands placed on future-oriented vehicle design. Everything is linked together, things can no longer be viewed separately from one another. It is about the blending of material, colour, form, digitality, sound and light. And behind it all is the newly created, cross-brand design team who have developed the creative concept in collaboration with Designworks, subsidiary of the BMW Group

The all-new BMW Panoramic iDrive represents the ideal symbiosis of technologies at the cutting edge of innovation and intuitive design. It has been designed with pixel precision to provide a holistic experience, customisable yet always with a clear BMW identity. In Milan, it is presented in an arcade created from a variety of materials, textures, light and sound accents which visitors wander through intuitively.

The BMW X3 “Designer's Choice” in the courtyard shows how individualisation through colour and material design can be used to maximise the expression of personality. Top-quality materials and appointments generate a new level of exclusivity in the interior, e.g. through the interplay of hard and soft surfaces. The exterior colour FROZEN TANZANITE BLUE lends the car an incomparable presence and brings sporting dynamism together with timeless elegance. The matte finish underscores the clear lines and contours. The dark blue shade subtly absorbs the light and creates a mysterious, luxurious look.

The MINI Neon Garden City invites visitors to linger for a while in the open air. Here, the BMW Group is showcasing its vision for urban spaces and its commitment to electric mobility – with the MINI Cooper Electric and the fully electric BMW CE 02 by MINI Design, whose colour concept was developed by the MINI Design studio specifically for the event in Milan. MINI stands out with its intelligent integration of characteristic design elements that give its

vehicles their unmistakable appearance. From unique colour accents to meticulously selected textiles – every detail of a MINI is defined by a certain personality. With their well-chosen graphical design elements in green, the two exhibits celebrate city living – appropriately so, given the setting for the Salone del Mobile in Milan. Agile, compact and electric, a healthy dose of driving/riding fun is guaranteed.

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“Vibrant Transitions” in the new House of BMW will open its doors on 8 – 13 April as part of the Salone del Mobile in Milan. Visiting times in the Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda, Via A. Manzoni 41, are: 

Tuesday, 8 April, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and

Wednesday, 9 April – Sunday, 13 April, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

In the event of enquiries please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Michaela Martinus, Spokesperson BMW Group Design

Telephone: +49-160-963-13773

E-mail: Michaela.Martinus@bmw.de

Steven Wörns, Spokesperson BMW Group Design

Telephone: +49-151-601-16992

E-mail: Steven.Woerns@bmw.de

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

E-mail: presse@bmw.de

Paris. Parallel to the market launch of the new BMW 1 Series, the new BMW X3 and the new BMW M5, the BMW Group will present the next steps in its unchanged product strategy at the Mondial de l'Auto Paris 2024. The focus is on the world premieres of the first all-electric MINI John Cooper Works models and the first joint motor show appearance of the latest concept studies of the BMW Neue Klasse, which will go into series production in 2025.

“The BMW Group is demonstrating its pioneering role in electric mobility at the Mondial de l'Auto Paris with a cross-segment range of electrified vehicles. Thanks to our attractive BEV product portfolio, we are able to grow our all-electric sales even in a demanding market environment. In the European market, we were even able to gain market share with the BMW brand,” says Jochen Goller, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Customers, Brands, Sales.

What BMW M is to BMW, JCW is to MINI. 
The new all-electric MINI John Cooper Works models.
With the world premiere of the all-electric MINI John Cooper Works Electric and the MINI John Cooper Works Aceman, the brand's long racing history is transferred to the here and now with innovative power. The two models effortlessly transfer motorsport expertise from the race track to the road. In addition to the exclusive, sporty design

and optimised aerodynamic driving characteristics, MINI fans can also look forward to the brand's hallmark agile handling. Click [here] for more information.

The roll-out of electrification to the John Cooper Works brand within MINI transmits another strong signal on how the BMW Group is committed to electric driving as a strategic direction.

At the same time, the Mondial de l'Auto Paris 2024 marks the ideal starting point for intensified communication in the further ramp up for BMW Neue Klasse, due for launch in 2025.

First joint appearance of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse and BMW Vision Neue Klasse X.
BMW is showing two Neue Klasse Vision Vehicles in Paris, which provide an outlook on the wide range of BMW's future model portfolio.
The BMW Vision New Class is a sporty electric sedan for the premium mid-range. The BMW Vision New Class X transfers the philosophy and technology of the future generation of vehicles to the Sports Activity Vehicle segment.

"With the two vision cars for Neue Klasse we are showing how we are going to change the look & feel of the BMW brand. Many aspects of our cars will be completely new and yet we believe that the Neue Klasse will reflect the very essence of the BMW brand", says Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design.

Both vehicles are characterized by a clear, reduced design language. In the interior, the next generation of BMW iDrive enables intuitive interaction between driver and vehicle. The combination of BMW Panoramic Vision, 3D Head-Up Display, Central Display and the new multifunction steering wheel redefine the BMW driver orientation. Click [here] for more information.

The new BMW iX2 features in-car entertainment highlight UNO® Car Party! And Paramount+.
With UNO® Car Party! in the BMW iX2, the BMW Group is showing the next in-car gaming highlight. Since the end of August 2024, the game has already been available in over 500,000 BMW and MINI vehicles via the AirConsole platform. In addition, it was only at the beginning of October that the BMW Group brought the popular subscription streaming service Paramount+ into the vehicle, offering subscribers access to a wide range of blockbusters, new originals and hit series such as Star Trek Discovery. Customers have access to in-car entertainment highlights in their vehicles with BMW and MINI Operating System 9 in conjunction with BMW Digital Premium or the MINI Connected Package*.

*Paramount+ subscription is not part of BMW Digital Premium/MINI Connected Package.

In addition to the outlook for the BMW Neue Klasse and new digital services, also hydrogen technology is key topic at the Mondial de l'Auto Paris 2024, as a further expression of the BMW Group's open technology drive strategy.

BMW will launch its first hydrogen-powered production model in 2028. 
After successfully testing the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet worldwide, the BMW Group is now preparing for series production of vehicles with hydrogen drive systems in 2028. The series production models will be integrated into BMW’s existing portfolio. Hydrogen is recognized as a promising future energy carrier of the future, actingas an effective storage medium for renewable energy sources, helping to balance supply and demand and enabling a more stable and reliable integration of renewables into the energy grid.

Click [here] for more information.

The BMW Group is also showing the complete all-electric BMW and MINI product portfolio at Mondial de l'Auto Paris 2024. It now consists of more than 15 models, which cover all major market segments.

The motor show presentation is rounded off with the electric two-wheelers from BMW Motorrad for urban areas. Click [here] for more information.

The BMW Group stand at Mondial de l'Automobile Paris 2024 covers an area of 1,300 square metres. The fair is open to trade visitors on 14 October and to the general public from 15 to 20 October 2024.

Michigan, USA. At an award ceremony at the 2024 Center for Automotive Research Seminar, Altair presented the BMW Group with this year’s prestigious Enlighten Award in the Sustainable Process category, celebrating the premium manufacturer’s progress in innovation. The annual award recognizes innovative lightweight construction and sustainability solutions across the global automotive industry that reduce carbon emissions, minimize water and energy consumption, and promote materials reuse and recycling.

The BMW Group received the award for the BMW M Visionary Materials Seat on the grounds that the research project is a precursor of future product development: Standout achievements were the sustainable seat design and the focus on the entire product lifecycle, making it one of the most innovative and visionary sustainable developments in the global automotive sector.

In addition to BMW M GmbH as the project owner, BMW Group Designworks was responsible for the design, color and material concept of the seat in collaboration with the BMW design team. The project was realized in close cooperation with several partners: Automotive Management Consulting GmbH, Bcomp Ltd, Gradel Lightweight Sàrl and Lasso Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH.

Key themes: design for circularity, lightweight construction and attractive product

As a platform for research on the development of future materials, the award-winning seat focuses on the following key themes: 

First, driving the use of plant-based materials and, as part of design for circularity, raising the share of secondary raw materials and increasing recyclability at the end of the lifecycle.

In addition, the team aimed to develop an attractive product in terms of its appearance, quality, lightweight construction and functionality. The minimalist design leaves the lightweight seat structure visible, highlighting its status as a core component. Intensive lifecycle assessments (LCA) complemented the design at each stage of development.

Falco Hollmann, Innovation Manager Lightweight Design & Sustainability at BMW M GmbH, accepted the award: “We are showing today what will be possible tomorrow with existing technologies and materials in order to take our efforts to reduce emissions and conserve resources to the next level. This is about more than just substituting materials; it is above all about designing for circularity.”

Use of natural materials

The core premise of the project was to make the leap to the future while working within today’s framework. The evaluation of available material classes with a high SQR (secondary raw material quota) showed that natural materials are the ideal complement. For example, the seat features natural fibers, fiber composites, leather alternatives and algae-based polymers.

Carbon footprint reduced by 90 percent

The seat’s CO₂e footprint is 90 percent lower than a BMW M carbon bucket seat made today, thanks to the use of ultra-light, robotically-wound fiber composite seat support structures and materials of natural origin as well as the high recycling rate. In addition, lower module complexity and the use of materials grouped by type make it easier to recycle the seat at the end of its lifecycle. The additive manufacturing processes used are also groundbreaking: A new technology made it possible to completely eliminate support structures, chemical post-treatment and finishing from the M BMW Visionary Materials Seat. Other priorities included a flat value creation chain and a minimum of finishing steps to save energy and conserve resources.

Lessons learned for future processes 

“One of our biggest lessons was the balancing, in other words, how to model our process chain to generate missing primary data,” explains Roberto Rossetti, Head of Development Total Vehicle-Lifecycle at the BMW Group. “The data obtained provides new insights, both in terms of today’s negative contributing factors and the design of tomorrow’s processes. This experience provides a solid foundation for continuously improving sustainability and developing innovative solutions for forward-thinking mobility.”

Munich/Cernobbio. With its BMW Concept Skytop design study, the BMW Group is once again bringing an exceptionally elegant, one-of-a-kind vehicle to this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the annual beauty contest for historic cars and motorcycles held on the shores of Lake Como. The open two-seater resembles a meticulously crafted vehicle sculpture, with a flowing, sporty elegance that complements its athletic, muscular stance.The interior and exterior of the concept car feature warm monochromatic colours, blending exclusive materials with traditional craftsmanship.

“The BMW Concept Skytop is a truly unique and exotic design, in the tradition of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design. “It offers a combination of driving dynamics and elegance at the highest level, comparable to its historic ancestors, like the BMW Z8 or BMW 503.”

Athletic proportions, organic body.
The clean exterior of the BMW Concept Skytop is designed to inspire a desire to travel. Its taut, muscular surfaces are defined by a few precise lines that direct the vehicle's volume towards the rear. Winglets discreetly integrated into the door shoulders replace conventional door handles. Light-alloy wheels with precise lamellas further enhance its unique appearance.

From a bird's eye perspective, the prominent, sweeping bonnet, the iconic BMW shark-nose design with illuminated kidney grille and retracted rear section, all catch the eye. References to the legendary BMW Z8 roadster were carefully chosen. Particularly striking is the pronounced spline that extends from the bonnet, through the interior, to an aluminium trim positioned on the tailgate, emphasising the dynamic flow of the silhouette.

The harmonious design of the headlights blends highly complex details into the overall concept. The LED units, positioned on milled aluminium carriers, were custom developed for the BMW Concept Skytop, utilising the latest technology and design for automotive headlights with the slimmest profile currently available. The clean, purist design allows all lighting functions to be consolidated in a single installation space. The flat and defined shape of the rear lights complements the BMW Concept Skytop’s overall appearance.

The leather-finished roll-over bar behind the BMW Concept Skytop’s two seats is combined with side fins on the B-pillar and a fully retractable rear window. The two removable roof parts, also finished in leather, can be stored in a special compartment in the luggage space.

The colour scheme ensures a smooth transition from interior to exterior, regardless of whether the roof is open or closed. In the rear section, the reddish-brown tone of the roof flows into the muted silver with chrome shadow effect of the exterior paintwork. The technically elaborate colour gradient was crafted by an experienced master painter at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing.

Brogue-style leather surfaces characterize the interior.
The leather seats in the interior feature brogue-style accents. The reddish-brown tone of the surfaces creates a consistent colour scheme that gives the whole interior a sense of luxury and spaciousness.Crystal applications are artfully embedded in the cockpit, adding to the overall impression. The interior surfaces of the BMW Concept Skytop were crafted in the traditional saddlery of the BMW Group plant in Dingolfing.

There are also similarities in engine variants with the BMW Z8. Like the legendary roadster, the BMW Concept Skytop also comes with the most powerful V8 engine in the BMW drive train portfolio.


BMW Group Corporate Communications

Laura Kanamüller
Press spokesperson, BMW Design
Telephone: +49-151-601-51110
Email: Laura.Kanamueller@bmw.com

Steven Wörns
Press spokesperson, BMW Group Design
Telephone: +49-151-601-16992
Email: Steven.Woerns@bmw.com

Munich. A new BMW Group Vision Vehicle provides a first glimpse of the Neue Klasse as an SAV: The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X brings the aesthetics, technology, sustainability, and philosophy of the Neue Klasse to the Sports Activity Vehicles sector. The first fully-electric raised derivative on the new architecture will go into series production at Plant Debrecen (Hungary) in 2025.

“Together with the BMW Vision Neue Klasse, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X showcases the breadth of our future BMW model line-up. The Neue Klasse reflects the variety of all the models that customers want today and in the future – from sporty sedan, with all its derivatives, to modern SAV family,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “In this way, we are underlining that the Neue Klasse is much more than just a car or a specific concept; it is redefining the BMW brand – and, at the same time, will be more BMW than ever.”

The company presented a clear picture of the brand's future as a sedan with the BMW Vision Neue Klasse at IAA 2023. The latest Vision Vehicle now illustrates how BMW sees the future of its X models. The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X stands for an active lifestyle, efficient dynamics and a confident stance. Its design combines a clear exterior design language with a bright and spacious interior. Special lighting and sound effects enabled by the next generation of BMW iDrive enhance the intuitive digital user experience. The three main characteristics of the Neue Klasse – electric, digital and circular – are expanded here to include a fourth dimension. The driving pleasure that forms the core of the BMW brand is taken to the next level with drive and chassis control developed specially for the Neue Klasse and with the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology. Its sustainability concept also ensures responsible production, operations, disassembly and recycling.

Innovative drive and chassis control: more dynamic performance, more precision, more efficiency.
A new type of drive and chassis control delivers a superior driving experience that is tailored to individual needs. It is based on a new software stack developed in-house by the BMW Group that will help the vehicles of the Neue Klasse guarantee a smooth drive at all times. Two out of four new super-brains will take the driving experience in the Neue Klasse to a new dimension.

“Neue Klasse means BMW driving at an even higher level,” explains Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “The BMW of the future will have four totally new super-brains: high-performance computers working smartly together on what, up until now, was processed separately. We developed the first super-brain completely in-house. It integrates the entire powertrain and driving dynamics with up to ten times more computing power. The second super-brain will enable the next quantum leap in automated driving,” Weber continues. “Going forward, we will combine four key control units in a single high-performance computer. The result will be more dynamic performance, more precision, more efficiency and even more fun to drive.”

Design: BMW X models reimagined with strong characters.
In combination with the two-box design of a BMW X model, the pared-down design language developed for the Neue Klasse also represents a major leap forward in both exterior and interior design. With its increased ground clearance, the fully-electric vehicle architecture offers new possibilities for an even more spacious interior. It allows for a long wheelbase, short overhangs and classic BMW proportions. Large window areas and the panoramic glass roof flood the interior with natural light, creating an airy spaciousness that is complemented by textiles in warm colours.

“The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X provides a look ahead to the X models of the Neue Klasse. The same principles apply to our Sport Activity Vehicles: electric, digital and circular,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design.
“The X models will always remain strong in character: monolithic, clean and with a very distinctive vertical interpretation of the BMW light signature.”

The new brand look for the BMW X models also contributes to the Vision Vehicle’s strong presence. Vertically aligned LED units offer a fresh interpretation of BMW’s hallmark light signature. Front and centre is the BMW kidney grille, reimagined as a three-dimensional sculpture with vertically aligned and backlit contours. Together, the headlights and kidney grille create a lighting effect that is activated as the driver approaches the vehicle and continues in the interior.

The rear section is powerful and athletic. Rear lights that reach far into the centre provide a horizontal interpretation of the familiar BMW L shape. Its 3D-printed elements are individually controlled with variable light intensity to convey a particularly expressive depth effect.

Flush glass surfaces and the bright “Coral Silver” exterior paintwork give the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X a certain lightness. In the rear portion of the side windows, the brand’s signature Hofmeister kink is realised not through chrome edging, but with a “reflective print” that forms a transparent or reflective surface, depending on the viewing angle.

Custom user experience with BMW Panoramic Vision and HYPERSONX WHEEL personalised sound experience.
The slightly elevated seating position ensures a confident driving experience. The redesigned steering wheel with multifunction buttons, Central Display with intuitive touch control functionality and BMW Panoramic Vision, together with the advanced voice control of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, serve as the effortless and intuitive interfaces for human-car interaction. BMW Panoramic Vision projects key information across the full width of the windscreen. It will be complemented in production models of the Neue Klasse by the enhanced BMW 3D Head-Up Display.

In the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X, the Central Display is elegantly integrated into the instrument panel, providing both front passengers with optimal access to all infotainment functions. The colours shown are not only transferred to the ambient light, but also to the backlit textile surfaces of the instrument panel.

The Personal Sound Experience, presented for the first time with the new HYPERSONX WHEEL, opens up further possibilities. With this digital function, car occupants can enjoy their favourite sound on any trip. The sound, generated in real time and adjusted with the tap of a finger on the HYPERSONX WHEEL, is an innovative contribution to the immersive and holistic user experience that transforms the interior of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X into a personal experience space.

BMW eDrive technology: Sixth generation more efficient than ever.
In the Neue Klasse, overall vehicle efficiency reaches a new level. The latest, sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology is key to this. In addition to improved e-drive units, it also features new and now round lithium-ion battery cells, with a volumetric energy density more than 20 percent higher than that of the prismatic cells previously used. In combination with the transition to an 800-volt system, this will improve charging speed by up to 30 percent – allowing vehicles to charge enough for a 300-kilometre range in just ten minutes. The sixth generation of BMW eDrive also delivers up to 30 percent more range. When it comes to aerodynamics, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X boasts an impressive new top figure: with drag reduced by 20 percent to a comparable model in the current line-up. New tyre designs and a special brake system for fully-electric vehicles help increase overall vehicle efficiency by up to 25 percent.

Reduced CO₂ footprint through more resource-efficient production and supply chain.
A completely plant-based, mineral-based and petroleum-free surface material “Verdana” was developed for the interior. It will be used in the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X in the lower portion of the door panelling and in the centre console. Maritime plastics are also being utilised for the first time for injection-moulded parts. In selected components, this secondary raw material, which is obtained, for example, from discarded fishing nets, already accounts for 30 percent.

The choice of materials and construction method enable easier disassembly of components and improved recyclability. The side skirts and front and rear apron attachments are also produced from recycled mono-materials. In this, the new design concept follows the principle of the BMW i Vision Circular presented in 2021, which relied extensively on mono-materials to optimise recyclability.

The Neue Klasse also heralds a new chapter in production history. BMW Group Plant Debrecen in Hungary was planned and developed as an iFACTORY.


BMW Group Corporate Communications

Steven Wörns
Press spokesperson, BMW Group Design
Telephone: +49-151-601-16992
Email: Steven.Woerns@bmw.com

Almut Stollberg
Head of Communications Innovation, Design, Technology, Digital Car
Telephone: +49-151-601-96543
Email: Almut.Stollberg@bmw.com

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmw.de

Munich. The BMW stand at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 in Tokyo centres on the latest innovations and trailblazing visions in the focus areas of electrification and digitalisation. Formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show, this trade fair provides the stage for the world premiere of the new BMW X2. The compact Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) is also being offered in an all-electric version for the first time in the guise of the BMW iX2 and boasts a wealth of digital innovations. The BMW Vision Neue Klasse will also be making its first appearance on the Asian continent, just a few weeks after its global debut at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. This Vision Vehicle offers a look ahead to the driving and user experience of the future – set to become reality from 2025 with the arrival of the Neue Klasse models.

From 26 October – 5 November 2023, BMW will be presenting a broad selection of its latest new models and innovations to visitors gathering at Tokyo’s Big Sight international exhibition centre. Digital technologies and the ways they can be applied to enhance the user experience are a key point of focus. The upgraded BMW iDrive control/operation system with QuickSelect in the new BMW X2 paves the way for a much wider offering of digital content for information and entertainment. The new BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades give customers access to innovative offerings in areas such as in-car gaming and video & audio streaming (availability varies according to model, specification and country).

The featured highlight of the next-generation BMW iDrive in the BMW Vision Neue Klasse is BMW Panoramic Vision. From 2025, customers will be able to experience information being projected across the entire width of the windscreen in the Neue Klasse production models.

The BMW press conference at the opening of the Japan Mobility Show 2023 will be broadcast as an on-demand webcast that can be streamed from 8:00 a.m. (CEST) on 25 October 2023 at www.live.bmwgroup.com/.

Ongoing expansion of fully electric model line-up.

With its launch of the BMW iX2, BMW is forging ahead with the ramp-up of electric mobility and the introduction of locally emission-free driving pleasure into new target groups. The brand has at least one fully electric representative in all relevant model segments. Other members of its wide-ranging electric mobility line-up alongside the BMW iX2 are also on display at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 – from the BMW iX1 compact Sports Activity Vehicle to the BMW i4 and BMW i5, the BMW iX and the BMW i7 luxury sedan. At the same time, BMW is clearly demonstrating how electrified drive systems are becoming increasingly important in the luxury segment too. In Tokyo, the brand is exhibiting the BMW i7 M70 xDrive* – the most powerful all-electric BMW yet – as well as the BMW XM Label Red* with M HYBRID drive system and the BMW X7, which employs 48V mild hybrid technology to accelerate the power delivery and boost the efficiency of its internal combustion engines.

World premiere: the all-new BMW X2 and the first-ever BMW iX2.

It was the BMW X2 that first introduced the concept of a Sports Activity Coupé for the premium compact segment. The second-generation model is now even more distinctive and forward-looking and, for the first time, also comes in an all-electric version with the arrival of the first-ever BMW iX2. All details of the new edition of the compact SAC will be released when communications officially get underway on 11 October 2023. The all-new BMW X2 and the first-ever BMW iX2 will make their first public appearance not long afterwards at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 in Tokyo.

Asian premiere: the BMW Vision Neue Klasse.

The BMW Vision Neue Klasse provides a window into the electric, digital and circular future of the BMW brand. The new Vision Vehicle’s design showcases styling elements that will have a formative influence on the various Neue Klasse models. A clear design language pared back to the essentials brings the signature BMW styling features – such as the BMW kidney grille and the Hofmeister kink – even more prominently to the fore.

The user experience presented as part of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse is no less futuristic. The next-generation BMW iDrive merges the real and virtual worlds, while expanding the interaction between user and car. Developed for the Neue Klasse, BMW Panoramic Vision projects information across the entire width of the windscreen. And the central display, the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel and the enhanced voice control via the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant enrich the multisensory user experience offered by the next-generation BMW iDrive.

The BMW Vision Neue Klasse also encompasses major advances in drive technology. Thanks to the sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology on board, efficiency will be increased by 25 per cent, range will be 30 per cent longer and charging will be 30 per cent quicker. The increased use of secondary raw materials as well as resource-efficient production will also have the effect of shrinking the lifecycle carbon footprint of Neue Klasse models.

Driving innovation: the BMW iX5 Hydrogen*.

BMW is also rigorously driving forward the development of hydrogen fuel-cell drive technology as it progresses towards mobility with zero local emissions. The exhibits at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 include the BMW iX5 Hydrogen. Built as a pilot series, the iX5 Hydrogen is currently in use with various target groups around the world for demonstration and test purposes. Developed on the basis of the BMW X5 and manufactured at the pilot plant of the BMW Group’s Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) in Munich, this Sports Activity Vehicle combines locally emission-free driving pleasure with a long range and markedly short refuelling stops. Its highly integrated drive unit featuring the latest, fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology draws its energy from a high-performance battery that was specially developed for the hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle. The fuel-cell system and high-performance battery combine to generate maximum output of 295 kW/401 hp. Two tanks made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) together hold six kilograms of gaseous hydrogen and can be filled in three to four minutes. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen achieves a range of 504 kilometres (313 miles) in the WLTP cycle without having to refuel.

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is further evidence of the BMW Group’s broad-based development expertise and “technology-open” approach in the field of drive systems. The highly efficient fuel-cell systems fitted in the pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen models were made at the BMW Group’s competence centre for hydrogen in Munich. The company sources the requisite fuel cells from the Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. The strategic partnership between the two carmakers – now a decade old – is key to the rapid development of hydrogen technologies and their successful integration into a sustainable powertrain portfolio.

Munich. Alexander Buckan will take over from Edgar Heinrich as the new head of BMW Motorrad Design, effective 1 January 2024. Buckan will be responsible for the design of all BMW Group two-wheeled vehicles, rider's equipment and accessories. Edgar Heinrich, who has been BMW Motorrad’s head of Design since 2012, is retiring after 35 years at the BMW Group.

“We are delighted to be able to present our experienced colleague and motorcycle enthusiast Alexander Buckan as the new head of BMW Motorrad Design,” declared Dr Markus Schramm, head of BMW Motorrad. “Alexander has already contributed a great deal to our motorcycle design as the manager of our design team – making him the ideal choice to lead and bring new impetus to BMW Motorrad Design,” added Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design.

Long-serving employee and motorcycle enthusiast Alexander Buckan takes the helm of design team.
Buckan began his career at BMW Motorrad as a transportation designer back in 2003. Since then, he has been responsible for a variety of different models, including the BMW F 800 GS, BMW G 450 X, BMW R 1200 GS LC and BMW R 1200 GS Adventure LC.

In April 2015, Buckan was promoted to head of BMW Motorrad Vehicle Design. As design manager, he worked with Edgar Heinrich on the design of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100. The design of the BMW CE 04 and BMW CE 02 e-scooters was also Buckan’s responsibility, as well as the design of the new BMW R 1300 GS, which will celebrate its world premiere on 28 September 2023 at BMW Motorrad Welt in Berlin.

Edgar Heinrich: 35 years of passion for BMW Motorrad.
“We would like to thank Edgar Heinrich for his many years of outstanding service,” said Markus Schramm. “His enthusiasm for riding pleasure on two wheels has inspired countless fans around the world.”

Adrian van Hooydonk: “With his creativity and passion for BMW Motorrad, Edgar Heinrich has shaped the brand like no one else. Under his leadership, BMW Motorrad design has been significantly broadened, modernised and, above all, made more emotional.”

Edgar Heinrich began his career at BMW Motorrad in 1985 and was elevated to senior designer in 1992. In 2005, he was appointed head of BMW Motorrad Vehicle Design and, seven years later, assumed overall responsibility as head of BMW Motorrad Design. During this time, Heinrich shaped the brand’s design language and developed motorcycles that set the benchmark for their segments. Models like the BMW R 1100 S sports boxer, the BMW K 1200 R naked bike and the touring enduro icon, the BMW R 1200 GS, were all created under his leadership. Heinrich was also involved in developing HP models, rally motorcycles, electric scooters and the ground-breaking BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 design concept.

Com os olhos no futuro, a BMW introduz o BMW Vision Neue Klasse, um novo vision vehicle que pretende marcar a nova geração da mobilidade elétrica.

O design é uma das apostas, com uma linguagem simplificada – mas, claro, com os elementos únicos característicos da BMW. A grelha em forma de rim ou a dobra Hofmeister são alguns dos elementos desta nova visão, assim como as linhas minimalistas e a estética mais moderna e futurista, através da pintura exterior e dos elementos em contraste.

Neste novo conceito, vai ser dado também um especial destaque à interação entre o condutor e o carro, com a nova geração BMW Drive. Esperam-se menos controlos analógicos e maior investimento na interface digital. É aqui que o BMW Panoramic Vision e o Central Display vão ter um papel essencial, enquanto fonte primária de interação.

A nova e sexta geração BMW Drive vem também com algumas novidades. Os grupos propulsores e o uso de células de bateria inovadoras são exemplos disso, para garantir um melhor desempenho, mais autonomia, maior velocidade no carregamento e maior eficiência.

Um dos aspetos cruciais desta visão orientada para o futuro é a dimensão da sustentabilidade. As práticas sustentáveis na produção e nos materiais escolhidos são aspetos importantes no BMW Vision Neue Klasse. A própria fábrica de Debrecen, na Hungria, vai implementar uma produção com redução de emissões de CO2, a utilização de matérias-primas secundárias vai ser privilegiada e, no geral, as abordagens de produção têm sempre em vista reduzir a pegada carbónica.

“Esta visão vem reforçar o compromisso do BMW Group para com a sustentabilidade e com a circularidade. Integrar a eletrificação, digitalização e circularidade permitem chegar a uma nova era de experiências de condução cada vez mais eco-friendly.”, conclui Massimo Senatore, Diretor Geral da BMW Portugal.

Munich. With its latest design concept, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse, the BMW Group is showcasing what the next generation of vehicles from its core BMW brand will look like. “The BMW Vision Neue Klasse combines our ability to innovate in the core areas of electrification, digitalisation and circularity,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “In this way, we are always able to stay two steps ahead of the future: The Neue Klasse is already bringing the mobility of the next decade to the roads in 2025 – and leading BMW into a new era.”

The Vision Vehicle, which will be unveiled for the first time in public at the IAA Mobility 2023 International Motor Show in Munich, embodies a clear design language, with expansive surfaces and just a few distinctive lines, that has been pared down to the essentials. This approach accentuates signature features like the BMW kidney grille and the Hofmeister kink of the side window graphic, giving the design even more of a BMW feel. In the interior, the next generation of BMW iDrive guarantees a unique digital user experience that merges real and virtual worlds. Increased use of secondary raw materials, resource-efficient production and a fully-electric drive train with sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology reduces the carbon footprint of the Neue Klasse across the vehicle lifecycle.

“30 percent more range, 30 percent faster charging, 25 percent more efficiency – the Neue Klasse represents a major technological leap that will take EfficientDynamics to new heights. The same applies to its design – which could not be any more futuristic,” says Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “With the Neue Klasse, we have embarked on the biggest investment in the company’s history. We are not just writing the next chapter of BMW; we’re writing a whole new book. That’s why the Neue Klasse will certainly impact all model generations.”

New BMW design language: clear, elegant, timeless.
The exterior showcases design elements that will define the different Neue Klasse models. It is clear, elegant, timeless. The new, fully-electric vehicle architecture also opens up new possibilities for the interior design. “The design of the Neue Klasse is typically BMW and so progressive it looks like we skipped a model generation,” explains Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design.

Powerful wheel arches, the retracted greenhouse and steeply forward-slanting “shark nose” front-end are all characteristic BMW features. 21-inch aerodynamic wheels pay tribute to the classic cross-spoke design inspired by motorsports. At the same time, the almost monolithic vehicle body, with strong indentations at the front and rear, as well as large window areas, create a new aesthetic.

The luminous exterior paintwork in “Joyous bright”, with its subtle yellow hue, underscores the friendly, future-oriented personality of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse. Contrast is provided by black side skirts and bumpers. With a higher percentage of secondary raw materials and significantly reduced material variety, targeted improvements have been made to enhance circularity. An improved dismantling concept will also help optimise recycling of the vehicles of the Neue Klasse.

A fresh interpretation of the brand's signature design elements, like the BMW kidney grille and double headlights, transform the vehicle’s front-end into a single interaction area. A lighting effect with precise three-dimensional animation initiates intuitive interaction between the human and their vehicle as soon as they approach the car. E Ink elements in the lower portion of the side windows also feature in the exterior welcome scenario, directing attention to the sensor area that activates automatic door opening. Innovative technology similarly defines the design of the rear lights, with 3D-printed light elements that extend over several levels and are controlled in a targeted manner to create a unique impression of depth.

Providing vision: Next generation of BMW iDrive.
Analogue operating controls have been reduced to a minimum in the BMW Vision Neue Klasse. Human-car interaction takes place through the BMW Panoramic Vision, the Central Display and multifunction buttons on the steering wheel. The user experience is rounded out by the tried-and-tested voice control of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. In this way, the next generation of BMW iDrive offers a modern interpretation of the driver orientation typical of the brand.

As it did with the introduction of the BMW iDrive controller in the centre console and the BMW Head-Up Display, the brand is once again leading the world with BMW Panoramic Vision, which will be available for the first time in the Neue Klasse. Information is projected at the ideal height into the driver's line of sight and, for the first time, across the entire width of the windscreen. This innovation will complement the enhanced BMW Head-Up Display in the production models of the Neue Klasse.

In the next generation of BMW iDrive, both the driver and front passenger are able to interact with information displayed on BMW Panoramic Vision, creating a shared user experience. Drivers can move content shown on the Central Display to the BMW Panoramic Vision with a simple gesture.

A coordinated choreography between the ambient lighting and graphic elements of the Central Display and BMW Panoramic Vision enriches the user experience – which can also be customised using My Modes. In My Mode ‘Sport’, specific displays are set against a yellow background to support dynamic driving. The new BMW iDrive is based on a highly integrated software architecture that consolidates data related to the driving experience and infotainment with data from the vehicle's electronics and electrical system and the BMW cloud. Interaction between human and vehicle can thus be tailored even more closely to the driving situation and individual needs, enabling a totally new perception of mobility.

Bright cord fabrics create a comfortable atmosphere inside the BMW Vision Neue Klasse. The light-coloured instrument panel supports the steering wheel, which is flattened at the top and bottom, as well as the Central Display with Matrix-Backlight in the outline of a parallelogram. A smartphone charging cradle and the glassy selector lever space on the centre console. The front seats are attached to the floor by a single bracket, freeing up additional legroom in the rear compartment, where passengers can enjoy the spaciousness created by having two individual seats. The design of the interior, which is completely free of decorative chrome or leather, helps optimise the carbon footprint of the production process.

CO2-reduced production, sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology.
Manufactured at the new plant in Debrecen entirely without fossil fuels and with much wider use of raw and secondary materials produced with reduced CO₂, the Neue Klasse will also provide significant impetus for resource-efficient individual mobility. High energy efficiency during the vehicle use phase will be ensured by optimising weight, air and rolling resistance, as well as through intelligent heat management, especially for the electric drive train, using sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology.

In addition to highly efficient electric motors, major advances in the new BMW eDrive technology include newly-developed round battery cells, with more than 20 percent higher energy density than that of the prismatic cells previously used. The sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology will improve the charging speed for Neue Klasse models by up to 30 percent, in addition to boosting their range by up to 30 percent. As a result of all these measures, overall vehicle efficiency will increase by up to 25 percent.

Innovations guarantee signature BMW driving pleasure for future generations.
Electrification, digitalisation and circularity are the core elements of the transformation that is being actively shaped by the BMW Group and began with the electrified models of the BMW i brand. The BMW i Vision Circular highlights the tremendous potential that can be leveraged by systematic implementing a circular economy that reduces consumption of raw materials and lowers CO₂ emissions. BMW i Vision Dee, on the other hand, shows how digital, human-centric technology can enrich the user experience.

All these topics are now coming together in the BMW Vision Neue Klasse, a vehicle that represents the whole range of technological innovations through which the BMW Group is demonstrating its future sustainability. The BMW Vision Neue Klasse signals the start of a new era of individual mobility that is rich in digital experiences, locally emission-free and circular in the long term – guaranteeing typical BMW driving pleasure for generations to come.

Munich. At Art Basel’s 2021 Miami Beach show, BMW M GmbH is presenting an expressive new vehicle concept on the global stage for the first time. The BMW Concept XM looks ahead to the most powerful BMW M car ever to go into series production, which is set to begin at the end of next year. At the same time, the BMW Concept XM shines the spotlight on standout aspects of the M brand. Electrification underpins an extraordinary driving experience which allows the driver to both glide along in near silence and enjoy the time-honoured pleasure of high performance, M-style. The BMW Concept XM provides a first glimpse of the new front-end design for BMW’s forthcoming luxury-class models. It will also introduce its audience to a highly progressive and distinctive take on BMW X model design and an all-new form of luxury and sense of space for the interior.

The series-production model – the BMW XM – will be built from the end of 2022 at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA, the most important sales market for the new high-performance car. BMW M will therefore be introducing its first standalone vehicle since the legendary BMW M1 in the year it celebrates its 50^th anniversary.  The BMW XM will be available in plug-in hybrid form only and exclusively as an M model.

The bold exterior styling of the Concept XM reflects the car’s exceptional performance attributes: dynamism, agility and precision, plus an all-electric range of up to 80 km. The newly developed M Hybrid drive system in the BMW Concept XM brings together a V8 engine and a high-performance electric motor to develop maximum output of 550 kW/750 hp and peak torque of 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft). The first electrified vehicle from BMW M GmbH in the high-performance segment is therefore pointing the way for the future of the brand.

“The BMW Concept XM represents a complete re-imagining of the high-performance car segment,” says Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. “It underlines the ability of BMW M GmbH to break with established conventions and push boundaries in order to offer fans of the brand the ultimate driving experience. The series-production car – the first pure BMW M model since the legendary BMW M1 – also shows how we are approaching the step-by-step electrification of our brand.”

BMW M goes its own way in the luxury segment.
The BMW Concept XM sees BMW M GmbH forging a distinctive path in the luxury segment. The car’s exterior majors on presence and extrovert appeal. Inside the car, a special take on the driver-focused cockpit for which M models are renowned meets an all-new rear compartment design: with its high-comfort seats and illuminated, sculptural headliner, the M Lounge offers passengers a luxurious retreat.

“The design of the BMW Concept XM is an extravagant statement by BMW M in the heart of the luxury segment,” says Domagoj Dukec, Head of BMW Design. “It has a unique identity and embodies an expressive lifestyle like no other model in the BMW line-up.”

The front end: progressive design for maximum presence.
The BMW Concept XM debuts the new, progressive front-end design for BMW’s luxury-class models, a version of which will be seen for the first time in 2022 as part of the BMW model offensive in the luxury segment. The headlights have been split into two separate modules, a new design feature which creates a visually arresting appearance. The daytime driving light signature in the sharply styled, slim upper module is particularly eye-catching. The horizontal kidney grille sits boldly between the headlights and tapers towards the outer edges, producing a near-octagonal outline that emphasises the front end’s dynamic character. The black kidney grille elements are enclosed within an intricate surround and appear almost to be floating freely within a High-gloss Black surface. M-style double bars within the grille add to the perception of width. Eye-catching contour lighting sets off the grille to fine effect, ensuring the striking composition of kidneys and daytime driving lights is immediately recognisable in the dark as well. The new XM logo in the kidney grille and the large air intakes hint at the power of the V8 engine, which teams up with the electric motor to form the M Hybrid system.

M-specific details point to compromise-free performance.
The glasshouse of the BMW Concept XM rises up vertically, accentuating the front end’s strong, imposing feel. The colour of the roof contrasts with the black finish of the A-pillars. The windscreen seems to have an even heavier rake as a result, injecting modern dynamism into the front end. Slim LED searchlights have been incorporated into the roof above the A-pillars. The boldly sculpted bonnet extends the contours of the kidney grille back in the form of two power domes. A pair of air intakes in the bonnet mimic the appearance of the LED searchlights in the roof and add extra dynamic flair. Framing the statuesque body at its lower edge are the clean-cut black surfaces of the front apron. Triangular body-coloured blades at the outer edges accentuate the vertical air intakes while emphasising the sporty and robust stance of the BMW Concept XM.

The side view: an expression of unbridled dynamism.
The powerful and heavily contoured proportions of the BMW Concept XM highlight the car’s resolutely standalone identity and draw the eye to the coupé-like character of the body. The visually striking front end, long bonnet and stretched, sloping roofline present a characterful two-box design with a distinctive outline. The window graphic narrows significantly as it approaches the rear, enriching the dynamism of the side view.

The two-tone paint finish of the BMW Concept XM further accentuates its distinctive lines: the upper section is in matt gold-bronze, while the lower section sports the Space Grey metallic shade. Below the window graphic, a broad, High-gloss Black line – the “black belt” – separates the two exterior colours. The signature M exterior mirrors give the car a clean-cut and technical, sporty edge. The charging flap rearwards of the front-left wheel is a reminder of the M Hybrid drive system at work.

Throughout the side view, deliberately short character lines, which start off boldly before fading softly, accentuate the car’s agile, modern feel. The expressive rear lights extend well into the car’s flanks and create an eye-catching transition into the rear. The black cladding typical of BMW X models above the wheels and on the side skirts is very clearly defined and gives the body an elevated appearance. The elongated body sits on 23-inch light-alloy wheels, which bring extra power and solidity to the side view.

The rear : powerful stature and newly interpreted design.
The design of the rear end likewise accentuates the car’s powerful stature, and the BMW Concept XM cuts a low and sporty figure from this angle. The rear window is inserted almost seamlessly into the rear end. The fresh interpretation of the design can also be seen in the arrangement of the BMW logo, which is laser-etched into the window below each of the two cant rails. This is a stylistic reference to the BMW M1, to date the only example of a standalone model developed exclusively by BMW M GmbH.

Lower down at the rear end, prominently flared wheel arches draw attention to the car’s powerful stance on the road. Extremely slim and boldly L-shaped rear lights extending across almost the entire width of the rear add to the effect. The lights themselves have a dark appearance when not active, giving way to a precise and uniform shade of red when switched on. Dominating the rear apron are the characteristic twin tailpipes of BMW M models. The dual-branch, twin-tailpipe exhaust system employed here reduces backpressure for the V8 engine and also generates the emotionally rich M-typical soundtrack accompanying the engine’s imposing power delivery. The vertical arrangement and hexagonal interpretation of the tailpipes breathe new life into this classically iconic feature.

The interior design – high performance and extrovert luxury.
Inside the BMW Concept XM, the driver will find a distinctive M interpretation of driver-focused cockpit design. The lines and surface design of the instrument panel, centre console, door trim and seats give the ambience in the front compartment a progressive feel with their powerful geometry and high-quality materials. Brown, vintage-look leather, copper and carbon fibre create a bridge between luxury and motor sport. A bold trim element provides clear visual separation between the driver’s area and the other sections of the car.

Inside the cockpit area, a decorative surface made from carbon fibre with interwoven copper thread creates a sporty and exclusive base for displays, air vents and control/operating elements. The new BMW Curved Display screen grouping positioned above it creates a neat balance between traditional driver focus and modern digitality. Red accents on the steering wheel and centre console are M-specific references to the car’s sporting prowess. A trio of vertical elements presented in the three colours of the BMW M brand logo form the heart of the centre console.

Spacious and luxurious: the M Lounge.
The unwavering driver focus of the front compartment contrasts with the extravagant and luxurious lounge-like ambience in the rear of the BMW Concept XM. Special materials, visually powerful surfaces and expressive details turn the rear seats into the unique M Lounge, black-tinted rear side windows underscoring the abiding sense of privacy here. While warm brown leather dominates the cockpit, the rear is decked out in the rich colour shade Petrol. The large rear seat bench with its deep seat recesses forms an inviting space to relax. Only the diamond-shaped area of the head restraints – which provides the supporting function familiar from BMW M Sport seats in other models – is leather-trimmed. The lower sections of the seats offer high comfort and an exclusive couch character with their luxurious velvet upholstery and diamond quilting. Deep-pile carpeting with a diamond pattern adds to the exclusive impression.

Illuminated and sculptural: the headliner .
The visual highlight of the cabin is its headliner with a three-dimensional prism structure. A combination of indirect and direct lighting produces a relief-like structure which showcases the headliner as an exclusive work of art. Together with the ambient lighting, it highlights the BMW Concept XM’s blend of luxury and comfort to extremely striking effect. The ambient lighting can be activated in the three BMW M colours.

BMW Curved Display with M-specific user interface.
Based on the latest generation of BMW iDrive, the M-specific version of the control/operation system translates the high-performance character of the BMW Concept XM into the digital world. Showcased in the familiar three M colours, the user interface lends itself perfectly to a sporty driving experience. It visualises the modes of the hybrid drive system as well as the pure-electric driving mode with captivating aesthetic appeal. The BMW Curved Display provides the perfect stage for showing off this bespoke design and previews the user interface that will bring extra intensity to the driving experience in all future BMW M models.

Overview

• The BMW Concept XM embodies an expressive new vehicle concept: a zero-compromise BMW M with striking BMW X design language.

• The new, progressive front-end design of BMW’s forthcoming luxury-class models can be seen for the first time on the BMW Concept XM. The slim and iconic daytime driving lights and the eye-catching contour lighting of the kidney grille are the main focal points.

• The series-production model – the BMW XM – will be produced from the end of 2022 at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA, the most important sales market for the new high-performance model.

• BMW M GmbH will therefore be presenting the first standalone M model since the legendary BMW M1 in the year it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

• The BMW XM will be the first electrified high-performance model in the BMW M portfolio. It will be available as an M Hybrid only.

• The newly developed M Hybrid drive system combines a V8 engine with a high-performance electric motor. It generates maximum output of 550 kW/750 hp and peak torque of 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft).

• The drivetrain enables an all-electric range of up to 80 km. The first electrified vehicle from BMW M GmbH for the high-performance segment therefore points the way for the future of the M brand.

• Vehicle design: Bold, robust and new – the expressive design of the BMW Concept XM represents an emotionally potent statement beyond all norms and conventions.

• Exterior design: The impactful exterior design forms a visually expressive silhouette that exudes presence. The strikingly sculpted surfaces and extravagant lines create a unique design language.

• Interior: With its exclusive materials and the luxurious M Lounge in the rear, the cabin reflects the groundbreaking character of the BMW Concept XM. The sculptural, illuminated headliner is a special highlight that gives the spacious rear compartment a sense of extravagance.

Munich. At Art Basel’s 2021 Miami Beach show, BMW M GmbH is presenting an expressive new vehicle concept on the global stage for the first time. The BMW Concept XM looks ahead to the most powerful BMW M car ever to go into series production, which is set to begin at the end of next year. At the same time, the BMW Concept XM shines the spotlight on standout aspects of the M brand. Electrification underpins an extraordinary driving experience which allows the driver to both glide along in near silence and enjoy the time-honoured pleasure of high performance, M-style. The BMW Concept XM provides a first glimpse of the new front-end design for BMW’s forthcoming luxury-class models. It will also introduce its audience to a highly progressive and distinctive take on BMW X model design and an all-new form of luxury and sense of space for the interior.

The series-production model – the BMW XM – will be built from the end of 2022 at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA, the most important sales market for the new high-performance car. BMW M will therefore be introducing its first standalone vehicle since the legendary BMW M1 in the year it celebrates its 50^th anniversary.  The BMW XM will be available in plug-in hybrid form only and exclusively as an M model.

The bold exterior styling of the Concept XM reflects the car’s exceptional performance attributes: dynamism, agility and precision, plus an all-electric range of up to 80 km. The newly developed M Hybrid drive system in the BMW Concept XM brings together a V8 engine and a high-performance electric motor to develop maximum output of 550 kW/750 hp and peak torque of 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft). The first electrified vehicle from BMW M GmbH in the high-performance segment is therefore pointing the way for the future of the brand.

“The BMW Concept XM represents a complete re-imagining of the high-performance car segment,” says Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. “It underlines the ability of BMW M GmbH to break with established conventions and push boundaries in order to offer fans of the brand the ultimate driving experience. The series-production car – the first pure BMW M model since the legendary BMW M1 – also shows how we are approaching the step-by-step electrification of our brand.”

BMW M goes its own way in the luxury segment.
The BMW Concept XM sees BMW M GmbH forging a distinctive path in the luxury segment. The car’s exterior majors on presence and extrovert appeal. Inside the car, a special take on the driver-focused cockpit for which M models are renowned meets an all-new rear compartment design: with its high-comfort seats and illuminated, sculptural headliner, the M Lounge offers passengers a luxurious retreat.

“The design of the BMW Concept XM is an extravagant statement by BMW M in the heart of the luxury segment,” says Domagoj Dukec, Head of BMW Design. “It has a unique identity and embodies an expressive lifestyle like no other model in the BMW line-up.”

The front end: progressive design for maximum presence.
The BMW Concept XM debuts the new, progressive front-end design for BMW’s luxury-class models, a version of which will be seen for the first time in 2022 as part of the BMW model offensive in the luxury segment. The headlights have been split into two separate modules, a new design feature which creates a visually arresting appearance. The daytime driving light signature in the sharply styled, slim upper module is particularly eye-catching. The horizontal kidney grille sits boldly between the headlights and tapers towards the outer edges, producing a near-octagonal outline that emphasises the front end’s dynamic character. The black kidney grille elements are enclosed within an intricate surround and appear almost to be floating freely within a High-gloss Black surface. M-style double bars within the grille add to the perception of width. Eye-catching contour lighting sets off the grille to fine effect, ensuring the striking composition of kidneys and daytime driving lights is immediately recognisable in the dark as well. The new XM logo in the kidney grille and the large air intakes hint at the power of the V8 engine, which teams up with the electric motor to form the M Hybrid system.

M-specific details point to compromise-free performance.
The glasshouse of the BMW Concept XM rises up vertically, accentuating the front end’s strong, imposing feel. The colour of the roof contrasts with the black finish of the A-pillars. The windscreen seems to have an even heavier rake as a result, injecting modern dynamism into the front end. Slim LED searchlights have been incorporated into the roof above the A-pillars. The boldly sculpted bonnet extends the contours of the kidney grille back in the form of two power domes. A pair of air intakes in the bonnet mimic the appearance of the LED searchlights in the roof and add extra dynamic flair. Framing the statuesque body at its lower edge are the clean-cut black surfaces of the front apron. Triangular body-coloured blades at the outer edges accentuate the vertical air intakes while emphasising the sporty and robust stance of the BMW Concept XM.

The side view: an expression of unbridled dynamism.
The powerful and heavily contoured proportions of the BMW Concept XM highlight the car’s resolutely standalone identity and draw the eye to the coupé-like character of the body. The visually striking front end, long bonnet and stretched, sloping roofline present a characterful two-box design with a distinctive outline. The window graphic narrows significantly as it approaches the rear, enriching the dynamism of the side view.

The two-tone paint finish of the BMW Concept XM further accentuates its distinctive lines: the upper section is in matt gold-bronze, while the lower section sports the Space Grey metallic shade. Below the window graphic, a broad, High-gloss Black line – the “black belt” – separates the two exterior colours. The signature M exterior mirrors give the car a clean-cut and technical, sporty edge. The charging flap rearwards of the front-left wheel is a reminder of the M Hybrid drive system at work.

Throughout the side view, deliberately short character lines, which start off boldly before fading softly, accentuate the car’s agile, modern feel. The expressive rear lights extend well into the car’s flanks and create an eye-catching transition into the rear. The black cladding typical of BMW X models above the wheels and on the side skirts is very clearly defined and gives the body an elevated appearance. The elongated body sits on 23-inch light-alloy wheels, which bring extra power and solidity to the side view.

The rear : powerful stature and newly interpreted design.
The design of the rear end likewise accentuates the car’s powerful stature, and the BMW Concept XM cuts a low and sporty figure from this angle. The rear window is inserted almost seamlessly into the rear end. The fresh interpretation of the design can also be seen in the arrangement of the BMW logo, which is laser-etched into the window below each of the two cant rails. This is a stylistic reference to the BMW M1, to date the only example of a standalone model developed exclusively by BMW M GmbH.

Lower down at the rear end, prominently flared wheel arches draw attention to the car’s powerful stance on the road. Extremely slim and boldly L-shaped rear lights extending across almost the entire width of the rear add to the effect. The lights themselves have a dark appearance when not active, giving way to a precise and uniform shade of red when switched on. Dominating the rear apron are the characteristic twin tailpipes of BMW M models. The dual-branch, twin-tailpipe exhaust system employed here reduces backpressure for the V8 engine and also generates the emotionally rich M-typical soundtrack accompanying the engine’s imposing power delivery. The vertical arrangement and hexagonal interpretation of the tailpipes breathe new life into this classically iconic feature.

The interior design – high performance and extrovert luxury.
Inside the BMW Concept XM, the driver will find a distinctive M interpretation of driver-focused cockpit design. The lines and surface design of the instrument panel, centre console, door trim and seats give the ambience in the front compartment a progressive feel with their powerful geometry and high-quality materials. Brown, vintage-look leather, copper and carbon fibre create a bridge between luxury and motor sport. A bold trim element provides clear visual separation between the driver’s area and the other sections of the car.

Inside the cockpit area, a decorative surface made from carbon fibre with interwoven copper thread creates a sporty and exclusive base for displays, air vents and control/operating elements. The new BMW Curved Display screen grouping positioned above it creates a neat balance between traditional driver focus and modern digitality. Red accents on the steering wheel and centre console are M-specific references to the car’s sporting prowess. A trio of vertical elements presented in the three colours of the BMW M brand logo form the heart of the centre console.

Spacious and luxurious: the M Lounge.
The unwavering driver focus of the front compartment contrasts with the extravagant and luxurious lounge-like ambience in the rear of the BMW Concept XM. Special materials, visually powerful surfaces and expressive details turn the rear seats into the unique M Lounge, black-tinted rear side windows underscoring the abiding sense of privacy here. While warm brown leather dominates the cockpit, the rear is decked out in the rich colour shade Petrol. The large rear seat bench with its deep seat recesses forms an inviting space to relax. Only the diamond-shaped area of the head restraints – which provides the supporting function familiar from BMW M Sport seats in other models – is leather-trimmed. The lower sections of the seats offer high comfort and an exclusive couch character with their luxurious velvet upholstery and diamond quilting. Deep-pile carpeting with a diamond pattern adds to the exclusive impression.

Illuminated and sculptural: the headliner .
The visual highlight of the cabin is its headliner with a three-dimensional prism structure. A combination of indirect and direct lighting produces a relief-like structure which showcases the headliner as an exclusive work of art. Together with the ambient lighting, it highlights the BMW Concept XM’s blend of luxury and comfort to extremely striking effect. The ambient lighting can be activated in the three BMW M colours.

BMW Curved Display with M-specific user interface.
Based on the latest generation of BMW iDrive, the M-specific version of the control/operation system translates the high-performance character of the BMW Concept XM into the digital world. Showcased in the familiar three M colours, the user interface lends itself perfectly to a sporty driving experience. It visualises the modes of the hybrid drive system as well as the pure-electric driving mode with captivating aesthetic appeal. The BMW Curved Display provides the perfect stage for showing off this bespoke design and previews the user interface that will bring extra intensity to the driving experience in all future BMW M models.

Munich. With five new collection lines ranging from Motorsport Heritage, Motorsport BMW, Golfsport and Yachtsport to Active, BMW Lifestyle has unveiled the perfect accompaniments for a sporty, active lifestyle brimming with energy and action – in keeping with the arrival of spring 2017.

Urban athleisure with BMW Active.

No longer will the head-turning impact of the camouflage worn by BMW pre-production vehicles be confined to the road. Their distinctive camo pattern brings a special design highlight to all of the items in the sporty and urban BMW Active. Blue and Olive shades, plus yellow design elements and reflectors, bring a modern flavour to the colour palette.

As well as an urban athleisure look, the Active collection also stands out with its lightweight, quick-drying and breathable materials – ideal for sporting excursions and outdoor activities. Handy features, including the jersey-lined drawstring hood and raised scarf collar of the BMW Active Sweatshirt, ensure the wearer enjoys unbeatable comfort and maximum freedom of movement.

In another neat twist, the collection contains not only useful outdoor accessories like the BMW Active Functional Towel and a hard-wearing luggage range, but also well-chosen canine accessories such as the BMW Active Dog Leash. So our four-legged friends can also embark on new adventures equipped with the right kit for the job at hand.

From history books to present day – the BMW Motorsport Heritage and BMW Motorsport Collection.

Inspired by the zeitgeist of the 1970s, the BMW Motorsport Heritage Collection stylishly reflects BMW’s long tradition in motor sport. The BMW Motorsport Leather Jacket in high-quality lamb’s leather is a genuine cult item and channels the spirit of the racing original.

The other items in the Heritage Collection likewise boast the original seventies BMW Motorsport logo, striking graphic lines and an eye-catching colour scheme. And they, too, exude a must-have appeal both for BMW Motorsport fans who have been there since the beginning and those with a soft spot for seventies culture and BMW classics.

Motor sport enthusiasts of the present day will be keen to explore the newly released BMW Motorsport Collection, which offers numerous styles – think striking BMW Motorsport stripes, dynamic styles and high-quality materials – designed to recreate that time-honoured BMW race feeling. A highlight of the collection is the BMW Motorsport Paper Jacket. Made from innovative, paper-like Tyvekâ material, this jacket can be written on with waterproof markers. Which makes it an essential wardrobe addition for trackside autograph hunters.

BMW Golfsport Collection – on the green in Navy and Fire.

For those who prefer to wind down by hitting a golf ball or two, the BMW Golfsport Collection offers an exclusive selection of sporty, elegant outfits such as the BMW Golfsport Polo Shirt or the BMW Golf Functional Jacket and functionally adept equipment replete with clever features.

For example, the ultra-lightweight BMW Golfsport Carry Bag doesn’t just impress with its intelligently structured outer and inner pockets and seven club compartments, it also has lightweight aluminium legs (with a manual activator mechanism) that provide optimal ground contact. Aqua technology from OGIO, a removable, shape-retaining rain cover and waterproof zips and stitching team up to keep all of your golf gear dry, whatever the weather.

The smart Navy/Fire colour scheme of the collection will bring extra stylistic potency to any player’s swing, regardless of handicap.

The BMW Golfsport Gift Set will be equally well received by golf pros and fledgling members of the handicap ranks alike. Flip open the large, golf-ball-style gift box and you will find two high-qualify Pro V1 golf balls from expert partner Titleist, a pitch fork and a BMW Golfsport Cap. The cap has a handy magnet holder on its peak so you can keep the two ball markers with BMW logo (also included in the set) within easy reach at all times.

BMW Yachtsport Collection

BMW Lifestyle continues to blow a refreshing breeze into the world of yachting as well. The successful BMW Yachtsport Collection contains items of baggage, accessories and apparel which impress with a sporty, elegant design and high quality. While wind- and water-repellent materials respond to the specific demands of yachting, casual styles and sophisticated details provide unbeatable comfort. The collection’s accessories also combine expertly functional materials and chic maritime design elements.

The BMW Sport Collections are available from April 2017 at shop.bmw.com as well as from selected BMW Centres and dealers.

Manufacturer’s recommended retail prices:

BMW Active Sweatshirts, woman and men: EUR 89.00                   

BMW Active Functional Towel: EUR 24.90

BMW Active Dog Leash: EUR 39.90

BMW Motorsport Heritage Leather Jacket, men: EUR 590.00

BMW Motorsport Paper Jacket. men: EUR 49.00

BMW Golfsport Polo Shirt, woman and men: EUR 65.00

BMW Golfsport Functional Jacket, woman and men: EUR 130.00

BMW Golfsport Carry Bag: EUR 280.00

BMW Golfsport Gift Set: EUR 55.00

Munich/ Paris . The BMW Group has chosen the Paris Motor Show 2016 to present the BMW Concept X2. This new addition to the compact segment has a distinctive design that stands apart from that of the other X models and also draws on the BMW Group’s history of coupe-making. The result is a compact concept exuding urban sporting appeal.

“The BMW Concept X2 is a vehicle for active people looking for a combination of enjoyment and practicality,” explains Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The concept displays a new and exciting facet of the BMW brand within the compact segment.”

The design – a successful blend of dynamic appeal and solidity.
The design of the BMW Concept X2 fuses apparent contradictions into a single coherent statement. “The BMW Concept X2 combines the fast-moving body language and low-slung proportions of a coupe with the robust construction of an X model. This is a sporty vehicle with a bold character, and it allows us to open up some fascinating new design possibilities for the BMW brand,” says Karim Habib, Head of BMW Design.

The distinctive character of the BMW Concept X2 already shines through in the car’s proportions. While its large wheels and familiar two-box design underline its functional X model character, a long wheelbase, stretched roofline, short overhangs and heavily forward-slanting C-pillar give the body a sporty, low-to-the-road feel. The interplay of the darker cladding surfaces and striking Luminous Red body colour make the Concept X2 look even slimmer from the side.

Two facets to a singular character – the side view.
The upper section of the car’s flanks is dominated by sporty design elements. The elongated roofline and slim window graphic create a stretched feel. The glasshouse tapers towards the rear, forming an athletic shoulder section. The window graphic surrounds and integrated two-piece mirror bases (both made from brushed aluminium) add an extra touch of class. The thickness of the aluminium profile plays a contrasting role here. The window graphic is rounded off by a dynamic interpretation of the hallmark BMW Hofmeister kink. Like the logo on the C-pillar – a classically sporty coupe design cue straight out of the BMW history books – this represents a singularly unmistakeable detail. The large, air-channelling roof spoiler in body colour lies flat over the blackened rear window. Extending from the C-pillars, it gives the rear of the BMW Concept X2 its sporty contours.

Lower down the sides of the car, customary X-model features hog the limelight. Muscular surfaces, large wheel arches and stylistic underfloor protection around the door sills form an intriguing contrast with the dynamic elements further up. Focusing for a moment on more detailed features, the surfaces of the car’s flanks bring together large, smoothly modelled sections with precise edges, showcasing the car’s athletic presence. The dramatic surfacing also emphasises the almost squared-off wheel arches familiar from the car’s BMW X stablemates. In them sit large, 21-inch light-alloy wheels, whose striking, double-spoke, bi-colour design with a strong sense of three-dimensionality continues the contrast between dynamic appeal and solidity into the car’s details. Tyres with chunky treads point to the potential for fun off the beaten track, while door sills in body colour with integral hexagonal elements set the seal on the robust appearance of the car’s sides at their lowest point.

Dynamism and presence – the front end.
The front-end design of the BMW Concept X2 likewise fuses dynamic elements with a robust use of forms. Clearly contoured volumes and subtle edges create a front-end impression with presence and sporting appeal in abundance. The heavily raked windscreen appears to extend seamlessly into the dark panoramic roof and teams up with the newly interpreted double kidney grille and large air intakes to give the front end a slow-slung look. The kidneys are sited a little lower than the headlights, and the central air intake is closer to the road than the two outer intakes. This makes the centre of the car appear lower, underlining the dynamic verve of the front-end design.

The kidneys turn the familiar trapezoidal shape of BMW grilles on its head and instead widen from top to bottom. This clear statement therefore accentuates the standalone nature of the BMW Concept X2, as well as the width of the front and the car’s solid stance. Graphically modelled and heavily angled bars within the kidney grille create an undeniable “shark nose” effect, bringing additional depth and sculptural richness to this area of the car.

The flat contours of the headlight tubes help to give the classical BMW twin circular look a more hexagonal form. The laser light technology used by the headlights enables very slim light graphics, while the blue X in the centre of the hexagonal tubes adds a further technical accent.

The front apron is dominated by the large central air intake below the kidney grille, which helps to quench the Concept X2’s thirst for cooling air. The smaller, triangular air intakes on either side highlight the car’s broad stance. The robust, horizontal slats of the air intakes provide a solid counterpoint to the dynamic design of the front apron and add further detailed emphasis of the front-end’s traditional X-model character.

A powerful statement – the rear end.
The rear of the BMW Concept X2 rounds off the exterior design in distinctive style. Width-accentuating elements such as the slim rear window and horizontal lines reduce the perceived height of the BMW Concept X2 and underscore its sporting pretentions. From this angle you can also see how the rear window emerges elegantly from below the air-channelling spoiler and underlines the car’s sporting character. The prominent tapering of the glasshouse along the sides of the Concept X2 also catches the eye. It forms a powerful shoulder area, allowing it to highlight the car’s broad, muscular stance. Below the glasshouse, the sharply drawn rear lights radiate dynamic intent. The fresh interpretation of the lights’ familiar “L” shape frames the LED element as an illuminating three-dimensional sculpture that projects from the rear to eye-catching effect.

Located between the rear lights is the BMW logo. Below, the almost uninterrupted transition from tailgate to rear apron creates a cohesive overall picture which spotlights the car’s crisp surface language with particular clarity. The dark cladding below the rear apron lifts the whole rear end visually, while at the same time giving its upper section a slimmer look. The body-colour rear apron provides a dynamic flourish to round off the lower reaches of the rear. A large tailpipe at either outer extreme emphasises the car’s broad stance, while the surrounding surfaces reference the three-way split and overall form of the front air intakes.

Los Angeles/ Munich/ Shanghai. BMW Group DesignworksUSA, a creative consultancy and subsidiary of BMW Group, is the recipient of eight GOOD DESIGN™ Awards for design excellence. The Award program is organized by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design in cooperation with the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies. In 2013 thousands of entries from over 38 countries around the world were submitted. DesignworksUSA was honoured with the Good Design Award for diverse design programs mirrowing the studio`s broad client portfolio. Each one of the winning designs pulled from the company´s core design principles such as cross-fertilization, future thinking, global context, and brand acumen. “It is a great reassurement for our team to see our core principle of cross-fertilization and the power of innovation that it produces reflected in the list of winning entries,” said Laurenz Schaffer, President, BMW Group DesignworksUSA.

Awarded design programs by DesignworksUSA:

ASRock M8 mini gaming PC: The ultra compact gaming PC speaks the language of strength and ultimate performance demonstrating extreme efficiency and big emotion. With magnetic side panels and an array of innovative features the PC is designed for maximum customization.

BMW i Wallbox: The premium charging device for residential use is part of a comprehensive  BMW E-mobility experience.  Its holistic, innovative charging concept provides for a new dimension of electric mobility.

Dacor Discovery 30” Wall Oven user interface:  Thegraphic user interface (GUI) is extremely easy to use and functionally intelligent.  With the Discovery IQ Controller, home chefs can expect the latest technological advances for the kitchen.

Hello ® oral care line:  It is theworld's first line of seriously friendly™ oral care products with a distinctive product design, developed to elevate the everyday.

Mercury Marine Electronic Remote Control:  A cable-less variant of a shift and throttle control for the Mercury engines, provides precise shift, throttle and trim response. Designed based on an ergonomic approach to surfacing, allowing for the creation of fluid and comfortable touch points.  

Premec Chalk Pen:  The promotional pen with its innovative design defines the horizon of possibilities within the cornerstones of simplicity and quality and translates these into a sustainable product. The chalk pen will be one of the lightest pens on the market.

PRIMA Cinema player:  The Prima Cinema player is a brand-centric and luxury offering that provides an engaging and fulfilling high-end home theatre experience.

Varian Edge™ Radiosurgery System:  The comprehensive radiosurgery system, designed for radiosurgical ablation, is a dedicated, end-to-end system for performing non-invasive cancer procedures anywhere in the body - wherever radiation is indicated.

A complete list of this year’s winners can be found on the following website: www.chi-athenaeum.org

In the event of inquiries please contact:

BMW Group DesignworksUSA

Jackie Jones, Manager, Marketing & Communications

BMW Group DesignworksUSA

Tel.: (805) 376-6253, Fax: (805) 499-9650

E-Mail: jackie.jones@designworksusa.com

Sophie Seidenath, BMW Group Design and Lifestyle Communication

Tel.: +49-89-382-24743, Fax: +49-89-382-20626

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

E-Mail: presse@bmw.de

BMW Group DesignworksUSA

BMW Group DesignworksUSA is a creative consultancy that’s been driving innovation for forty years. Acquired by BMW Group in 1995, DesignworksUSA enables its parent company as well as internationally-renowned clients outside the automotive industry to grow their businesses through design and a portfolio of creative consulting services. With clients including Coca Cola, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, HEAD, HP, Intermarine, John Deere, Microsoft, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Siemens and Varian Medical Systems, DesignworksUSA is deeply immersed in a broad cross-section of industries. Combining cross-fertilized knowledge with strategic long-term perspectives and global context provided by studios in Los Angeles, Munich, and Shanghai, DesignworksUSA draws upon its unique and vibrant resources to create the future. 

Website:  www.designworksusa.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BMWDesignworksUSA

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BMWDesignworks

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/company/BMW-Group-DesignworksUSA

Vimeo:  http://vimeo.com/BMWGroupDesignworksUSA

The BMW Group

The BMW Group is the leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.  

In 2012, the BMW Group sold about 1.85 million cars and more than 117,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2012 was euro 7.82 billion on revenues amounting to euro 76.85 billion. At 31 December 2012, the BMW Group had a workforce of 105,876 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last eight years.

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Munich. BMW makes its debut as the exclusive partner of the annual awards presented by the renowned Art Directors Guild (ADG) in the USA. These awards recognise outstanding figures in production and set design from the international television and film industry. The prize presentation will take place on 2 February 2013 as part of a festive occasion at the venerable Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. The leading designer Herman F. Zimmerman will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in the shape of a trophy created by DesignworksUSA, a 100-percent subsidiary of the BMW Group. As part of this extensive collaboration, BMW will also provide the VIP shuttle service and present two of its latest models – the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and the BMW i8 Concept Spyder.

Stylishly showcased in front of the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is unmatched by any other BMW in uniting extraordinary dynamics and the aesthetics of a classical BMW Coupe with luxurious appeal. With its low height and flat roofline that sweeps into the rear, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe sets a new benchmark for automotive aesthetics. A further highlight is the BMW i8 Concept Spyder, representing the BMW i sub-brand. Its combination of intelligent lightweight construction and state-of-the-art hybrid technology helps the BMW i8 Concept Spyder achieve genuine sports car performance. Its sporty, emotional design lends it lightness, dynamics and efficiency coupled with unusual looks.

The BMW Group and the ADG Awards share a common passion for inspiring design. This is also reflected in the Lifetime Achievement Award trophy created by DesignworksUSA and to be presented to the renowned art director and production designer Herman F. Zimmerman. He made his mark, among other things, as the production designer for the cult sci-fi series Star Trek, and also put his futuristic design stamp firmly on The Next Generation series. The award will be presented by Alec Bernstein, Global Director, Creative Consulting & Strategic Partnering, BMW Group DesignworksUSA. The design of the “Electrified” trophy pays tribute to the achievements of Herman F. Zimmerman: “Our designers were inspired by the metaphor of a flying spark that ignites creative vision. This energy is, metaphorically speaking, electrifying. It prompted our designers to recreate this fusion of technology and art in the form of the trophy,” explains Bernstein.

The award ceremony will be hosted in the ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel –also familiar from the Golden Globes – by stand-up comedian Paula Poundstone. The Art Directors Guild Awards on 2 February 2013 will recognize outstanding designers from the TV and film industry.

For more than five decades now, the BMW Group has been supporting film and television as part of its commitment to the creative and cultural scene. Its involvement on this front embraces product placement, promoting film academies and sponsoring numerous events within the sector, ranging from high-calibre film festivals to small-scale, aspiring “film days”. Since 2010, for example, BMW has been a main partner of the Berlinale, the International Film Festival in Berlin. BMW also supports the Bayerischer Filmpreis, the renowned Landshut Short Film Festival and the Regensburg Short Film Week, among other events. It also promotes short films at international level, such as the “BMW Shorties” film project in Malaysia.

The interior design of a BMW vehicle is a continuation of what the exterior promises: Sheer Driving Pleasure. Beyond the familiar focus on the driver, BMW places key emphasis on an emotional surface language that resonates between the two poles of a lively yet calm design. Dynamic, fluid forms lend expression to the character of the vehicles, creating an organic surface design distinguished by smooth, harmonious transitions.

Clear focus: driver-centric design.

A hallmark of BMW interior design is the systematic driver-centric layout in which the cabin is ergonomically configured with the driver firmly in mind. Important operating and control elements in the instrument panel and the asymmetrically designed centre console are visibly angled towards the driving seat and are thus within the driver’s direct reach. The precise configuration varies according to the model, allowing each car to develop its own individual character in this regard as well. The optimal integration of the control elements and their carefully coordinated positioning reflect the perfection of the interior design and stand for the premium quality and exclusivity associated with BMW.

Emotional flow of lines: horizontality.

Stretched, horizontal lines accentuate the airiness and size of the interior, creating a generous sense of space that has a restful effect on the eye. The horizontal layout of the instrument panel counterpoints the vertically configured centre console with its technical features. The front aspect of the interior appears large and airy; this spaciousness perceived by the driver and passengers combines with the maximum possible range of technical features to form a perfect composition. The horizontal alignment of the interior design not only creates breadth but, thanks to the airy ambience, evokes a sense of agility as well. A deliberately suggested, subtle flow of lines is open to interpretation by the observer.

Play with light and shade: surface design.

The sensitive design of the interior surfaces likewise subtly addresses the subliminal level of perception among the car’s occupants, while a delicate play of light and shade engenders a lively formal language. By analogy with the human anatomy, a BMW interior is virtually devoid of flat surfaces.

Instead, individual surfaces come together in a flowing, organic motion before breaking free from each other again. Clear lines define the individual surfaces and demarcate them from one another. This emotional surface language – a hallmark BMW feature – demonstrates a consummate sense of form and perfect design.

Airiness at every level: layering.

The individual character of a BMW is expressed in the interior through a special interplay of surfaces and lines that follows the layering principle. This refers to levels made up of different materials which are visually “stacked” on top of one another and assigned various functions, in this way bringing the surfaces and dynamics alive. For the interior design of BMW automobiles, this layering concept marks the inception of a new, modern interior aesthetic while simultaneously creating a visual buoyancy.

Love of detail: perfectionism.

BMW devotes meticulous attention to the design of interior details. Indeed, they play a crucial part in ensuring that a BMW continues to spark pleasure and passion in customers years down the line.

Every detail, such as the control buttons, is specifically designed for each individual model. Keys and buttons are seamlessly integrated into the design of the interior and take up the surrounding flow of lines. In colour and intensity, their illumination adheres to a uniform BMW colour code that spans the entire model family. The gearshift lever boasts a sporty-dynamic style as the embodiment of the core of BMW interior design. A central operating element is the iDrive Controller, which gives the driver sensory feedback for much more relaxed and therefore safer control of functions such as the navigation system or automatic climate control.

“When designing the interior of a BMW, the overall impression is crucial. We always pay attention to the impact of the interplay of features, but also to the potential contribution of each individual detail. Size, movement and dynamics are very palpable in the design, but aspects such as safety and functionality naturally also play a key role when it comes to designing the interior. Above everything, though, stands form and aesthetics. That’s the benchmark we all follow.” Marc Girard, Head of BMW Interior Design.

Munich. BMW Group Design celebrated an exceptional accolade at today’s presentation of the 2012 iF Design Awards, held as part of Munich Creative Business Week. The jury conferred the iF Gold Award – the prestigious special prize of the International Forum Design – on the new BMW 6 Series Coupe and the John Deere 944K wheel loader created by BMW Group DesignworksUSA. Beyond these honours, too, the evening was dominated by BMW: providing not just a worthy architectural setting for the presentation ceremony was BMW Welt, with Frauke Ludowig hosting the evening event in the auditorium. In addition to the BMW 6 Series Coupe, the BMW 1 Series, BMW 1 Series M Coupe, BMW 6 Series Convertible and the BMW G 650 GS motorcycle were also recipients oft the iF Product Design Award, while DesignworksUSA added another feather to their cap with a prize for their interior design of the new Falcon 2000S business jet.

Over the past 60 years or so, the iF Design Award of the International Forum Design has emerged as one of the highest seals of approval for outstanding design achievements. This year once again, manufacturers and designers from 48 countries submitted a total of 4,322 entries for the coveted award. The panel of judges, made up of internationally recognised design experts, deemed 1,218 submissions worthy of an award.

The iF Gold Award-winning BMW 6 Series Coupe is an aesthetically consummate fusion of pleasure in luxury with pioneering technology, and sporty dynamics with exclusive travel comfort. Adaptive LED Headlights usher in innovative lighting technology and mark their debut in this segment, while the hallmark twin round headlight configuration presents a new rendition of BMW’s iconic design cue.

The 944K is the biggest wheel loader in John Deere’s construction vehicle division. With this machine, DesignworksUSA has succeeded in designing an extraordinarily striking product that accentuates its family kinship. “Construction machinery by John Deere stands for strength, durability and reliability, which are among the core values of the brand,” comments DesignworksUSA President Laurenz Schaffer. “The design translates these values into a highly distinctive product character.”

BMW Group Design also won the jury over with the design features of five further products:

The new BMW 1 Series, too, stands for unmistakable design thanks to proportions that imbue it with stretched, sporty contours, eloquently sculpted surfaces and a youthful, vivacious overall impression. Complementary design features deftly underline the mature character and premium status of this car.

The new BMW 1 Series M Coupe cuts a persuasive figure with its athletic appeal and M-specific interior design. Its optimised track width at the front and rear, an expansive front apron and widely flared wheel arches lend the BMW 1 Series M Coupe a particularly powerful stance, while the two chromed twin tailpipes positioned at the outer edges of the rear make for the customary symmetrical look of M styling.

The new BMW 6 Series Convertible combines a stretched bonnet, set-back passenger compartment, long wheelbase and flat waistline with a classic soft-top in characteristic “fin” design. Powerfully sculpted surfaces and dynamic, forward-surging lines reflect the car’s supreme handling.

With its lean, wiry off-road physique, the BMW G 650 GS motorcycle evokes a lightweight and adventure-hungry impression. Its typical enduro design and its colour concept are entirely in keeping with the style of the BMW GS family and round off the general sporty look. The bike sets itself apart from the competition with its quality, specification and comfort, combined with relatively low weight and a low seat height.

The interior of the Falcon 2000S jet by Dassault Aviation conveys an intimate ambience rooted in classical yet at the same time modern, elegant design elements. The cabin impresses with its clean, calm lines and stylish handcraftsmanship. DesignworksUSA has already been honoured with the prestigious Good Design Award for its contribution to the new business jet.

With these latest distinctions, BMW Group Design continues a success story that has been recognised for some years by the high-calibre jury of the iF Product Design Award. For Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design, the 2012 award haul is both an affirmation and an incentive: “We are delighted to receive these awards right here in Munich. They confirm our high standards and provide an incentive for the future.” Between 2007 and 2011, a string of prizes were won by BMW Group Design. In 2008, for example, awards went to the BMW 3 Series Convertible and the BMW G 650 Xcountry motorcycle; 2010 saw the BMW F 800 R honoured; and in 2011, prizes were bestowed on the BMW 5 Series Sedan and BMW 5 Series Touring.

The award presentation ceremony staged at BMW Welt adds a further highlight to the BMW Group’s involvement in Munich Creative Business Week. This newly initiated series of events is committed to a clear-cut goal: to encourage high-calibre, in-depth debate on design issues and concepts. To this end, the planned annual MCBW aims to stimulate an interdisciplinary design discourse and bring together creative and business professionals from around the world in the Bavarian capital. This year’s MCBW programme comprises more than 90 events, which will be ongoing across the entire Munich metropolitan area until 12 February. Here BMW Welt assumes a special role in more ways than one: as the location of the MCBW press office it is a central hub of information on all aspects of the design event, while also serving as the location partner for various MCBW events. In addition to hosting the presentation of the iF Design Awards, BMW Welt was also the venue for the MCBW launch ceremony.