The latest iDrive iteration is sort of right here. BMWBLOG bought to take an up-close and private tour with Christian Bauer, Head of BMW Group Person Interface Design, who confirmed us across the totally different components and gave us further insights behind the design and performance of the brand new shows. Within the video, you’ll get a style of what’s going to finally peer again at you if you slide behind the wheel of each new BMW.
What’s New In iDrive X
Within the video, Christian Bauer walks us by way of among the most spectacular elements of iDrive X. He begins by explaining that iDrive X depends on 4 key elements: the Panoramic Imaginative and prescient Show, the central show, the 3D head-up show, and the steering wheel. Bauer dwells first on the central show. He emphasizes that it’s not a form-following-function affair – or the opposite means round. It’s canted ahead, to ease driver engagement, and simply the proper measurement – no tablets right here. From the scale of the display – deliberately “dynamically” formed – to the dimensions of the icons and typeface, BMW has paid consideration to each element, in keeping with Bauer.
“Straightforward to grasp, and straightforward to achieve,” Christian says when speaking in regards to the icons we see displayed on the big display. Look there, and also you’ll discover the map, cellphone, and music widgets make a return. Apparently, these are the three most in-demand features by drivers. Bauer and Horatiu transfer onto the panoramic show and rapidly cowl the driver-side features – locked in to ADAS options, pace, and vary data – earlier than leaping to the steering wheel – one thing we haven’t seen this fleshed out till now.
The design is a bit jarring at first, however there are good causes. The multifunction buttons on both facet of the airbag are in a position to be positioned so drivers won’t have to make readjustments as they drive. As a neat design trick, all of the angles level in the direction of “the place you should look,” as Christian says. Specifically, the road. Or at the least the panoramic show.
That show could seem daunting, but it surely’s simple to make use of. Utilizing a swipe-down menu on the central touchscreen display, you possibly can drag the widgets onto the panoramic show. Different features are intuitive, too. Accepting or declining a name is as simple as a swipe. Beginning navigation? Like within the present automobiles, it’s as simple as asking your BMW to take you to a vacation spot. The BMW 3D Head-Up Show helps by zooming out and in as crucial, offering key info as you instrument alongside.
Christian walks us by way of a handful of different options, most notably, Modes. 4 modes – Private, Sport, Environment friendly, and Silent. On the floor, they most likely sound acquainted. And certainly, they provide a lot of the identical customization as earlier than, like steering and accelerator really feel. However now Modes permits you to go deeper, providing a colour wheel, mild and darkish modes, customized wallpapers for the middle show, and extra. Sport mode brings again a well-known orange colour, reduces shows to indicate extra driving-oriented options, and extra.
iDrive X Q&A
We didn’t simply get a non-public walkthrough of the BMW iDrive X system. We additionally had time to ask Christian Bauer some questions on the way forward for BMW and iDrive X.
When does BMW iDrive X come out?
iDrive X will debut with the primary Neue Klasse automobile and finally make its means into each BMW within the lineup. You gained’t see any elements in iDrive X piecemealed out, both. For instance – wherever the trendy new display goes, you’ll see the panoramic show, too.
What options will iDrive X software program updates unlock?
No formal bulletins have been made about iDrive X updates. However, automobiles outfitted with iDrive X will get pleasure from “prolonged capabilities” by way of OTA updates.
Can third events develop apps for iDrive X? What knowledge will apps pull from automobiles?
Sure, third events will have the ability to develop for iDrive X. Knowledge pulled from the automobile will probably be “type of restricted,” in keeping with Bauer.
Does iDrive X help Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Sure, however they’ll solely be displayed on the middle display. Road steering features are retained by the head-up show, very like they’re in present iDrive programs.
Are you able to flip off the panoramic show/middle display/something in iDrive X?
Type of. Silent mode permits drives to scale back the center and proper facet of the panoramic show. You can not utterly swap off the middle display, because it shows info that by regulation must be there. Suppose headlight statuses and ADAS warnings. The panoramic show additionally reveals legally required data, like pace. The 3D Head-Up Show could be disabled.
Will analog gauges ever return?
“It’s on our checklist,” so says Bauer. “Really, I can’t touch upon the main points…”
