Skip to main content

BMW’s Vision Future concept is a prophecy written in carbon fiber and aluminum

What is the future of luxury? No, it’s not flying cars.

Unveiled at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show, the BMW Vision Future Luxury concept describes a vision of the future that should be familiar to car buyers by now, one that uses technology to both improve efficiency and turn cars into large smartphones.

The body is rendered in carbon fiber and aluminum, and features a sleek design that not only looks striking but – according to BMW – reduces drag for better fuel efficiency. It also features the laser headlights set to debut on the 2015 i8 sports car.

The itself styling seems to be borrowed from the Pininfarina-designed Gran Lusso Coupe, and could indicate a new, more evocative direction BMW plans to take with future models.

For the interior, BMW used a process called “subtractive modeling”. This involved designing the interior in layers with different materials, including structural aluminum, surface carbon fiber, and wood and leather trim. This allowed designers to “mill down” the layers depending on what was needed in a given area, helping to save weight and conserve material.

The driver interface was designed around the infotainment display, including a new version of the BMW ConnectedDrive concierge and a head-up display that projects information into the driver’s line of sight for an augmented-reality feel. Welcome to the Borg-mobile.

Meanwhile, the two rear passengers get a detachable “Rear Seat Touch Command Tablet” that can control all secondary functions, display any information that’s available to front-seat occupants, and stream digital media.

The Vision Future Luxury is likely to remain a concept car, but its styling and at least some of its technology will likely be incorporated into the next BMW 7 Series. We’re hoping, though, this becomes a 9 Series. But we won’t hold our breath.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more
Audi Q6 e-tron ushers in the automaker’s next EV phase
2025 Audi Q6 e-tron front three quarter view.

Audi doesn’t get enough credit for getting luxury car buyers comfortable with EVs. While Tesla took care of the image-conscious types, the German brand unveiled its e-tron electric SUV in 2018 with the tagline “electric has gone Audi” in hopes of getting loyal customers excited about (or, at least, acclimated to) electric cars by pitching the e-tron as an Audi first and an EV second.

The e-tron wasn’t a one-off, either. It’s since evolved into the Q8 e-tron and has been joined by the sporty e-tron GT and entry-level Q4 e-tron. So, while some car brands are only just introducing their first electric models, Audi is ready for round two.

Read more