BMW Shows Autonomous Car Concept

BMW AG revealed the first of four new concept vehicles it plans to introduce this year in conjunction with the company’s 100th anniversary.

The first model is the Vision Next 100 concept sedan. It will be followed by the Rolls-Royce Grand Sanctuary in June and concepts from BMW’s Mini brand and motorcycle operations later in the year.

The Vision Next measures 193 inches from bumper to bumper, making it slightly shorter than a 5 Series sedan. Its ultra-sleek body is made from a combination of carbon fiber—including in-process residue from other pieces in the car—and plastic. The interior is made from recycled and renewable materials.

The car’s sleek design yields a drag coefficient of only 0.18. Its coupe-like styling eschews B-pillars to improve rear seat entry/exit. Gullwing doors open upward. The wheels are completely shrouded for improved airflow.

Inside, the windshield acts as a giant augmented reality display. Among other things, it can project optimal corning lines under performance driving conditions. In “Ease” mode, the car reconfigures its interior as it goes into autonomous mode. This includes retracting the steering wheel and center console, swiveling the driver and front-seat passenger seats to face each other and turning the windshield into an entertainment display.