CONCEPT CAR: A connected world
- Ah, is this the new Z4?
BMW’s vision of infotainment.
It can be tempting to believe so, but this concept car is actually BMW's take on the future of in-car infotainment systems. Called Vision Connected Drive, the flashy roadster encompasses aspects of safety, convenience and enjoyment.
That could be why the Germans chose an open-top two-seater - hi-tech and fun can be combined in one. If you remember last year's Vision Efficient Dynamics, that concept was a coupe showcasing how diesel/electric hybrid performance can be powerful and economical at the same time.
- Did Paul Walker use that info display?
Ha! You must be a fan of the Fast & Furious movie franchise. Yeah, the guidance system you see here is quite similar to what has been guiding Walker in the street race of part 4.
BMW says the head-up display can visualise people, mood and location for the driver to see from the steering wheel. It's the next step in sophisticated guidance system, so to speak.
The car also has sensors in the head and tail lamps to detect the surroundings for enhanced safety (you know, things like crash avoidance and automatic brake assistance), while the wing mirrors act as antennae to transmit data.
Moreover, the front passenger can act like a co-pilot by downloading travelling information from his/her own perch before forwarding it the driver's head-up display.
The roadster body is just a showcase.
- Not bad. And when is this technology coming to showrooms?
Since this tech is still being showcased in a concept car, BMW isn't discussing its prospects of reaching customers' hands yet.
But, pending frequency technicalities with telecommunication authorities, BMW's tech vision is definitely within reach. Let's not forget that the Munich-based luxury carmaker was the first to bring internet access to cars.
- Could we ever see the two Visions in one car?
It's a nice vision, but that isn't a distant reality. In this new decade, BMW wants to portray itself as a technological leader in the premium car market.
They have confirmed the ambitious MCV (mega-city vehicle) project using lightweight body and electrified drivetrain technologies. A supercar on the opposite spectrum with all the advanced tech is definitely not a pipe dream.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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