The BMW Group presented last 11th October, its fourth Vision Vehicle, the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100, to mark the opening of its exhibition and event platform, “Iconic Impulses. The BMW Group Future Experience”, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. Following the BMW VISION NEXT 100, unveiled at the Munich Centenary Event on 7 March, and the MINI VISION NEXT 100 and Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100, it is now the turn of the BMW Motorrad brand to present its vision of premium future motorcycle mobility for the coming decades. The BMW Group intends to make an effective contribution towards resolving the social challenges that lie ahead.
The BMW Group’s future vision
The task of exploring how we will live and move around in the years and decades ahead is as challenging as it is interesting: how will society, the economy, living conditions and consequently our mobility change? What opportunities will new technologies open up for us? And what will digitalisation and connectivity mean for our future automotive needs? These are the questions the BMW Group has set out to answer with its four Vision Vehicles. Each made by a different Group brand, they represent a distinct interpretation of future mobility and embody a specific set of brand values. All of them explore a number of future themes, autonomous and emission-free driving, connectivity and mobility services. Premium solutions by the BMW Group will be completely effortless, constantly available, tailored to the user’s individual needs and sustainable.
The BMW Group’s future vision
The task of exploring how we will live and move around in the years and decades ahead is as challenging as it is interesting: how will society, the economy, living conditions and consequently our mobility change? What opportunities will new technologies open up for us? And what will digitalisation and connectivity mean for our future automotive needs? These are the questions the BMW Group has set out to answer with its four Vision Vehicles. Each made by a different Group brand, they represent a distinct interpretation of future mobility and embody a specific set of brand values. All of them explore a number of future themes, autonomous and emission-free driving, connectivity and mobility services. Premium solutions by the BMW Group will be completely effortless, constantly available, tailored to the user’s individual needs and sustainable.
“Our long-term corporate strategy, Number ONE > NEXT, focuses firmly on the customer and the experience of sustainable premium mobility. We want to offer our customers the ultimate in emotional products and innovative services – today and in the future,” said BMW AG’s Management Board Chairman, Harald Krüger, as he opened the press conference on 11 October in Los Angeles.
The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100: “The Great Escape”
The key idea behind this BMW Motorrad Vision Vehicle is to create a pure, unbounded ride experience. In the future, the special sensation of freedom will be made possible by even greater connectivity between rider, bike and the outside world. The assistance systems in the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 will not only anticipate and advise when action is needed but also intervene, when required, to keep riders safe. Protective clothing such as helmets and padded suits will no longer be needed. Instead, riders will simply be able to enjoy the sensation of absolute freedom. A key assistance system in this Vision Vehicle is the Self-Balancing mechanism, which keeps the motorcycle balanced both while in motion and while stationary, and prevents it from tipping over.
This technology consequently allows all riders of any level of skill or expertise to keep on pushing boundaries for an ever more positive ride experience. Information is exchanged between rider and bike largely via the smart visor. This spans the rider’s entire field of view and provides not only wind protection but also relevant information, which it projects straight into the line of sight as and when it is needed. In terms of design and function, the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 takes its cues from various striking elements in the history of BMW Motorrad, adding a contemporary twist each time. The black frame triangle, for example, harks back to the first ever motorcycle by BMW Motorrad, the R32, made in 1923. Seen from the side the Vision Vehicle resembles a naked bike, with the ergonomics and seating position of a roadster. The forms and execution of the power unit resemble the traditional BMW boxer engine, but it is actually a zeroemission drivetrain.
