This vehicle by BMW is a demonstration of how cars will be produced in the future with materials and production processes that reflect a responsible approach towards the environment and its resources
by Francesco Michienzi
BMW has presented the concept car i Vision Circular. This vehicle imagines what the car of 2040 might be like, in an unprecedented mix of sustainability and luxury and with entirely new style parameters. The vehicle is part of a wider project that envisions mobility as a whole.
The BMW i Vision Circular is optimized with closed-loop material recycling and aims to reach 100% recycled materials and 100% recyclability. It is the first vehicle with recyclable solid-state batteries. The exterior design conveys sustainability through its captivating appeal.
The change continues in the man-machine interface, with touch surfaces replacing physical commands and proposing different layouts depending on the chosen set-up.
THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE EXTENDED WITH
OVER-THE-AIR UPDATES AND THANKS TO THE EASY PHYSICAL
REPLACEMENT OF ITS COMPONENTS.
The car’s single-volume space is constituted by few components and the number of materials has been reduced to a minimum. The language of the shapes is clear and well defined. Pure materials and simple surface finishings give the car a feeling of modernity and luxury. The BMW i Vision Circular is a compact four-seater minivan with steering and pedals which allow for traditional driving. The rest of the project was based on the idea of using recycled materials and certified biomaterials as much as possible.
THE ANODIZED MYSTIC BRONZE AND TEMPER BLUE STEEL HUES
OF THE EXTERIOR ARE NOT VARNISHED BUT OBTAINED BY PROCESSING RECYCLED MATERIALS.
Digitization, minimalism, and the complete revisitation of every element have given life to a vehicle, which no longer features elements that are traditionally associated with premium products – like leather and chroming – but has replaced them in favor of more sustainable materials and processes.
(BMW i Vision Circular, anticipating the future – Barchemagazine.com – February 2022)
