Unveiled at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, the BMW i Vision Dee captivates with its bold design and innovative features. This compact concept car showcases a candy-coloured exterior enhanced by an E Ink skin, pushing the boundaries of automotive aesthetics.
The most remarkable aspect of the BMW i Vision Dee is its E Ink embedded body panels, divided into 240 segments. Building upon the previous black and white version seen in the BMW iX Flow concept, this iteration impressively offers up to 32 colours, granting the car a chameleon-like ability to transform its exterior appearance. Beyond its futuristic allure, this feature holds practical applications, such as catching attention in a crowded parking lot or signaling intentions to other drivers. Even the large wheels sport segmented E Ink “spokes,” allowing for captivating colour combinations.
The BMW i Vision Dee concept with E Ink
In a departure from recent mainstream BMW models, the BMW i Vision Dee adopts a minimalist design philosophy. It eschews the disproportionate proportions often seen in modern cars, opting for a sleek and purist line reminiscent of the meticulously balanced “three box” BMWs from the 1970s and 1980s. This retro-futuristic approach, echoing the stylings of brands like Hyundai, embraces simplicity while showcasing the innovative strides in electric mobility.
The concept car’s technological prowess extends to its interior, where BMW introduces “digital performance” through the Digital Emotional Experience (Dee). The cabin features a bank of screens seamlessly integrated with a “Mixed Reality Slider,” allowing users to toggle between different levels of information immersion, from a basic analog setup to a full “phygital” experience. Dimmable windows further enhance the immersive environment, gradually fading out reality. On the exterior, the E Ink panels and grille contribute to the car’s dynamic and emotionally expressive appearance.
While the BMW i Vision Dee remains a concept car, its silhouette hints at the future direction of the iconic 3-Series. BMW’s concepts often serve as a bridge between production-ready vehicles and far-future explorations. Notably, the vision presented by the i Vision Dee concept is within reach, with only the E Ink paintwork requiring further development before becoming a reality.
BMW has named its projected design direction the “Neue Klasse,” symbolizing a pivotal shift for the company towards post-combustion vehicles. With a minimalist design approach, BMW acknowledges the growing importance of information and entertainment in shaping the future of mobility, not just for customers but also for the company’s success.
However, BMW’s plans to bundle common optional extras, such as the Parking Assistant Professional system, into monthly subscription models have sparked controversy. While self-expression, seamless communication, and digital immersion appear to be the future of mobility, it remains to be seen how consumers will respond to the associated costs.
Overall, the Candy-Coloured BMW i Vision Dee captivates with its futuristic charm and showcases BMW’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and technology in the automotive industry.