Motor Expo 2026

This is one of the prominent features in the BMW VISION NEXT 100, a concept car that BMW intended to create to celebrate its 1-century anniversary and to look ahead another 100 years.

BMW VISION NEXT 100, a concept car that BMW intended to create to celebrate its 1-century anniversary and to look ahead another 100 years.

BMW Vision Next 100 is a concept car designed to look ahead at what vehicles will be like when social conditions change, what people's lives and our travels will be like in another 20 years. 

Certainly, in the future, “driverless vehicles” will definitely appear on the roads. But the question is, when will it happen? For BMW, drivers will still be able to choose to drive themselves when they want the fun of driving. The travel experience must be as enjoyable as ever. The force of the wind hitting the face, the vibration of the engine at high revs, still remain the charm of future vehicles in BMW's eyes.

The materials used to build future cars will be technologies that make car assembly faster, and 4D printing technology will allow materials to be integrated with various parts in unprecedented ways.
Cars will learn and continuously develop intelligence (AI). Future cars will be fully connected to the outside world at all times because digital technology will be deeply embedded in almost every aspect of our lives. It will be a fusion of “virtual worlds” into “real life” . Displays and touchscreens will facilitate communication and interaction between humans and engines. In summary, this technology will have more 'mind' and 'humanity' than it currently does.

Leading car companies with the clear motto SHEER DRIVING PLEASURE, what will they do if future vehicles are driverless? This challenge is truly inspiring for young designers. 
He started designing this concept car from the inside out. Beginning with the interior, the driver's position, interactive communication between the screen on the windshield, and using the dashboard for analog communication (similar to vibration alerts on an APPLE WATCH). More emphasis is placed on life in the car, so there is an EASE MODE that transforms the driver into a passenger, sitting back and letting the car drive itself. The interior changes to cool, comfortable tones, adjusts the seating position by folding the steering wheel, increasing cabin space. Main information on the windshield changes to topics related to location, weather. 

As for BOOST MODE, when you feel like having fun and want to drive yourself, the steering wheel will extend quickly and be ready for control. 
COMPANION MODE: the car will learn and provide various information to make you the ULTIMATE DRIVER, making driving more fun and safer.
A prominent feature visible from the outside is the car's body surface, which can move and flex. The front wheel arches, which hide the wheels inside, extend when the steering wheel turns, similar to skin that can move, and this will greatly reduce aerodynamic drag.

In the future, when vehicles are driverless, the steering wheel of a car renowned for 'driving pleasure' might look like this.

 
The designers hypothesize that in the future, car grilles may not need to open to draw in air to cool the engine, as there might not be an engine there. Therefore, they have transformed the signature kidney grille, BMW's distinctive headlights, and the L-SHAPED taillights into communication areas for external individuals, such as pedestrians and cyclists, to indicate what driving mode the car is currently in (human-driven or self-driving).

The design of this car still primarily considers the driver. Connection to the digital world will help provide information to make the driver even more perfect. Even though the world may change, the fun of driving remains, and it's even more enjoyable than before.

When the car connects with people, appointment information, travel maps, destination information, traffic information, and appropriate speed for travel to reach the destination on time are provided. 
The console panel, embedded with over 800 small triangles, is used for communication between the car and the driver. It will 'flutter' when the driver needs to be careful of the road ahead, warning to brake, which is better than audio or screen warnings. 

It is predicted that by 2050, no less than 75% of Europeans and over 90% of Americans will live in urban areas, and individual travel needs will increase. Of course, the ensuing problems are roads full of cars, insufficient parking, and urban pollution. 
As for us, we are preparing to adapt from ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE to ULTIMATE DRIVER soon.

Source: Formula Magazine [Unveiling BMW's 100-year vision for the future] 

EDITOR & PICTURE : Chalatchai Paphatphong