BMW marks centenary with Vision Next concept car

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BMW has revealed a new, advanced, self-driving concept car as part of the firm's centenary celebrations.

The Vision Next 100 previews future technologies for road cars, with a large emphasis on self-driving abilities.

"Autonomous driving is no longer a question of 'if' but 'when,'" says the company, adding that "the driver will remain firmly in focus, with constant connectivity, digital intelligence and state-of-the-art technology available for support".

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The concept also focuses on how cars will be made in the future and highlights several exotic production processes, such as rapid manufacturing and 4D printing. "At some point, presses that punch out hundreds of steel parts may well become obsolete," says the firm. The new processes will lead to better made cars from "intelligent and networked" materials.

These can be seen around the wheels with a system called "Alive Geometry", consisting of 800 moving triangles that stretch and contort the bodywork as well as make up elements of the elements of the instrument panel.

The triangles expand to accommodate the turning wheels at the front and straighten out the rear profile of the car, lengthening it at speed to cut aero drag.

It may look and sound like science fiction, says Autocar, but BMW is convinced these techniques will become an "influencing factor" in car design once it is possible to produce the materials on a grand scale.

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Inside, the Alive Geometry on the dashboard can either assist the driver by highlighting oncoming cars or signalling the best lane to take, or if the car is driving itself, relay information to passengers such as when it is going to brake and turn.

The windscreen is also an augmented reality display that can project hidden hazards such as pedestrians obscured behind objects or other vehicles, making them "magically semi-transparent", in the words of Top Gear.

No powertrain details have been revealed, though the company has let on that it sees a future using zero-emission power plants.

The Vision Next 100 is the first of a handful of concepts set to be revealed by BMW and its various brands, with Mini and Rolls Royce show cars set to be unveiled this summer, says Auto Express.