In the future, BMW wants drivers to be able to drive themselves or be driven. The world premiere of the BMW Vision M NEXT has revealed their take on how driving pleasure might look in future for those who enjoy taking the wheel themselves. The BMW M brand’s electrified future is placing the focus on engaging drivers. Intelligent on-board technologies will provide comprehensive yet carefully targeted assistance to turn them into the ultimate driver.

“The BMW Vision M NEXT provides a glimpse into the future of sporty driving,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “Where the BMW Vision iNEXT illustrated how autonomous driving is set to transform life on board our vehicles, the BMW Vision M NEXT demonstrates how state-of-the-art technology can also make the experience of driving yourself purer and more emotionally engaging. In both models, the focus is firmly on the people inside. Design and technology make the ‘EASE’ and ‘BOOST’ experiences more natural and more intense.”

The BMW Vision iNEXT and BMW Vision M NEXT Vision Vehicles represent prototype versions of BMW’s future experience concepts “EASE” and “BOOST”. EASE encompasses all the experiences during a journey when the vehicle does the driving. BOOST stands for the ultimate active driving experience. The EASE and BOOST concepts are underpinned in equal measure by the building blocks for the BMW Group’s future, comprising the innovation areas of Autonomous driving, Connectivity, Electrification and Services (ACES).

“The BMW Vision M NEXT is a progressive hybrid sports car that makes a very clear and confident statement, in terms of both appearance and interaction,” said Domagoj Dukec, Vice President BMW Design. The exterior design clearly announces the BMW Vision Vehicle’s performance potential, borrowing styling cues from classic and contemporary BMW sports cars.

The actual driving experience in the BMW Vision M NEXT is intended to be as dynamic as it looks. The Power PHEV drive system offers the choice between electric all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive, with either all-electric or the power of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. System output of 600 hp produces a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) and enables the BMW Vision M NEXT to sprint from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3 seconds. There is also a BOOST+ mode that provides extra power at the push of a button. The maximum range when driving in all-electric mode is 100 km (62 miles). This means the BMW Vision M NEXT is a sports car that would also be suitable for use in city centres where zero-emissions zones may come into force in the future.

“The entire interior is focused on the BOOST Pod,” Domagoj Dukec explains. “The geometry has a deliberately low-key feel so that the driver can concentrate fully on the driving experience. In the BMW Vision M NEXT, intelligent technologies help the driver and deliver the right content at the right time. Operation is clear and intuitive, with all information presented in the driver’s direct field of view. This is a deliberate counterpoint to the BMW Vision iNEXT, which focused on multimodal operation from every seat. We have designed a modern and luxurious interior with the help of innovative materials. Whereas its geometry is clear and restrained, individual details are showcased like top- class accessories.”