BMW Group presents the fully electric and compact vehicle at the IAA Mobility 2021 event, the BMW i Vision Circular. The Vision Vehicle is one of five different concept vehicles with which the BMW Group is presenting how it envisages individual urban mobility.
The BMW i Vision Circular’s main body is made from secondary aluminum with a light-gold anodized finish. The anodized Mystic Bronze shade contrasts with the more “animated” colored surface at the rear made from heat-treated steel. The heat treatment process creates the color Temper Blue Steel, an alluring interplay of bluish purple surfaces.
The tires in “Vivid Blue Rubber” are made from certified, sustainably cultivated natural rubber and have a slightly transparent appearance. Extra colored, recycled rubber particles are added to the tire compound creating an intriguing terrazzo effect. The wheel rims are designed and manufactured with minimal materials use. The wheels are fixed in place using the “joyful fusion” quick-release fastener that adorns the center of the wheel. Only visible when looking from above, a narrow fin is integrated centrally in the rear section of the glass roof. It contains the communications and antenna technology, and provides information on the status of the vehicle (open/closed, charge level of the battery, etc.). It also integrates the high-mounted centre brake light.
The rear end also has a puristic, clear appearance. All the display surfaces and light functions are integrated invisibly into the dark glass tailgate, replicating the approach taken at the front end. When the car is switched off, only the two-dimensional BMW logo in the dark glass surface is visible. Switching the car on activates both the functional light elements and the line graphic at the front end. Below the tailgate, a clearly sculpted surface made from secondary steel. Moving further down, the aerodynamically optimized black bumper is made from recycled plastic.
The two outer-hinged portal doors swing wide open to reveal a light and airy interior. The basic color scheme for the cabin is composed of taupe with elements of grey and the light mint green shade (“MONOchrome Mint”) used for the floor and side trim panels. This coordinates with the taupe/violet “MONOchrome Taupe” finish for the front and rear seats. The four seats have been intentionally designed to look more look like pieces of furniture. In the front, two separate lounge seats with integral head restraints. Their velvet-like upholstery is made from recycled plastic and is held within a light-gold aluminum frame. The seats rest on a slender mono-post base with fore/aft adjustment. The back of the slim front seat shells is made of recycled plastics with a terrazzo-look finish.
The information area you would normally expect to find in a central information display is located above the instrument panel at the bottom of the windscreen. All relevant information is projected onto the bottom area of the windscreen across its entire width. Driving displays for the driver can be found here together with communications functions and entertainment features for the passengers. The projected content is controlled by means of interaction pads in the steering wheel, while passengers can connect their mobile devices to the vehicle and then call up individual content in the windscreen’s front passenger section or activate the personal speakers. From the outside, a graduated black printed surface with a gold-bronze pattern gives added effect to the display area of the windscreen.
The display and operating surface below the windows visible on the outside of the car can be found on the inside too. Here again, it extends back into the rear of the car and around the Hofmeister kink. It incorporates a number of functions, including the power window switches, door openers and the controls for the sunshade in the roof.
The pronounced rearward placement of the windscreen header provides passengers in the rear with a separate glass roof featuring a mechanical shading function. This function comprises two glass panels with a pattern of parallel lines that can be pushed together to vary the degree of shading between 50% and 100%. In addition to this, the rear of the cabin has been shaped into a large, slightly raised bench seat. The audio speakers are located beneath the head restraint cushions. Each seat has its own dedicated sound zone.