► BMW goes big with latest iDrive system
► Full windscreen-width customisable display
► Set to debut on iX3 replacement in 2025
BMW does not do things on a small scale anymore. The grilles and kerb weights of its cars have attracted controversy in recent years and to keep things consistent the latest version of iDrive has also been supersized as part of the upcoming Neue Klasse brand refresh.
Called Panoramic iDrive with BMW Operating System X, the tech includes a full windscreen-width display capable of showing a raft of info, along with additional head-up display and touchscreens. Is it a good thing? We attended an early hands-on demo of the system to find out…
In order to show off the tech, BMW presented us with a giant mock-up of a car cabin with the Panoramic iDrive and Operating System X. Starting with the steering wheel, there’s two black touch control panels either side of the centre. The various functions (cruise control, volume, skipping tracks, answering the phone) are activated via touch icons that appear when necessary, rather than physical buttons. Potentially concerning, but we had a go on a normal-sized mock-up and the functionality seemed intuitive enough on first impressions.
Glance over to the side and the matrix backlight central infotainment touchscreen isn’t a million miles off what we’re used to in BMWs. However, the screen itself is now positioned closer to the steering wheel to make it easier for the driver operate. Meanwhile, the design of the screen’s menus has also been optimised, moving shortcuts and crucial functions (such as the headlamp control and driver assistance) closer to the wheel.
The BMW Operating System X software is based on a Android Open Source Project software stack that, BMW claims, allows significant scope for personalisation and regular wireless updates. As seen in the gallery, there’s even the possibility of adding personal photos as background screens. Improved natural-language dialogue voice activation also features and promises to improve real-world hands-free control of the infotainment.
There’s no doubt however that the BMW Panoramic Vision is the main story. Stretching across the base of the windscreen, the display is almost entirely customisable and presents info blocks such as transmission selection, what track you’re listening to on Spotify and outside air quality.
It’s also capable of switching colour scheme and layout when the driver activates one of the sportier drive modes, providing suggestions on how to improve the experience using vehicle functions – such as reduced driver assistance. We also saw a demonstration of how an incoming phone call is displayed, with the Panoramic Vision display switching to a notification mode and the wheel highlighting the call answer and reject buttons.
Finally, the 3D head-up display sits atop of the Panoramic Vision display and gives yet more information including augmented reality sat-nav prompts and automated driving graphics.
Clearly, there’s an awful lot going on here and it remains to be seen whether such a wealth of information – from three different display sources – will be overwhelming for the driver. Early demonstrations suggest the info is well-integrated and relatively easy-to-use once you get your head around the vast scale of it, however it remains to be seen how this translates into real-world use cases – especially among BMW’s performance-enthusiast customers.
The Panoramic iDrive with BMW Operating System X will feature in all Neue Klasse models, with the first launch set to be an SUV replacing the iX3 in 2025.