The BMW Group loves words like "vision" or "future" or other forward-looking descriptions when it comes to new ideas, concepts, and strategies. Its latest catchphrase, unveiled by BMW AG Board of Management Chairman Harald Krüger on Saint Patrick's Day is simple, and it reflects the direction BMW is looking, as well as the position it wants to keep: Strategy: Number One > Next.
We figure the Next part refers to BMW’s recent 100th anniversary celebration and plan for the future that it calls, “The Next 100 Years,” as typified by its latest concept car, the way-out-there “BMW Vision Next 100.” See what we mean about “future” and “vision?”
We think this all means that BMW intends to remain the leader in premium individual mobility—the company that sets the goals and changes the game, rather than a company that follows where others lead.
“Throughout its 100-year history, the BMW Group has always reinvented itself. As a pioneer of new technologies, the company has shaped change, within both the industry and the world of mobility,” said Krüger at BMW’s Annual Accounts Press Conference in Munich. “We are setting the standard with our Strategy Number One > Next, both now and in the future. We will lead the BMW Group into a new era, one in which we will transform and shape both individual mobility and the entire sector in a permanent way.”
The BMW Group will use technology to make cars safer and more convenient while making users’ lives simpler. Connectivity is the key concept here, establishing invisible and intuitive links between people, their cars, and the ever-increasing panoply of service that are here now or on the way. We enthusiasts hope that such connectivity will mean driver-oriented cars that are more fun while becoming safer and more reliable, but we have to recognize that BMW is also talking about vehicles that will take over more of the operational chores up to and including total autonomous driving. While perhaps not as much fun, self-driving cars could have a place along the road transportation spectrum, especially in urban areas, high-density or jammed traffic, or even when the only driver in the vehicle can’t keep his eyes open.
But back to what BMW has planned—specifically.
In addition to what BMW i already has so far in 2016—the BMW i3 electric vehicle and i3 Range Extended model and the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car—more models in the coming months and years will wear the BMW i badge. These include a longer-range electric BMW i3 this year, and the no-longer-a-rumor convertible version of the BMW i8. That’s right, Harald Krüger said it in front of cameras and everybody. An i8 Roadster is coming—eventually—probably in 2018.
Currently being developed under a program the company calls BMW i Next is the next-generation i car. Not expected until 2020 or beyond, the vehicle will most likely have a more-advanced powertrain than current i cars, a lighter and stronger chassis that will probably be the evolution of the i3/i8 carbon-fiber and aluminum modules, and will be the demonstration vehicle for state-of-the-art digital connectivity and if artificial intelligence is sufficiently advanced by that time, a close-to-fully autonomous mode.
“It will enable us to take BMW i to the next level,” said Kruger. It will cover all aspects relevant for future cars, including autonomous driving, digital connectivity and intelligent lightweight construction as well as the next generation of electro-mobility.”
More BMW conventional models will be introduced with a plug-in hybrid version, including a plug-in hybrid Mini.
Krüger’s comments at the Annual Report press conference lead us to believe that at some point, batteries will be joined by hydrogen-powered fuel cells to power BMW electric cars. He said that current hydrogen fuel cell test vehicles are achieving ranges of up to 430 miles.
Project i gave us the i3 and i8 and the trickle-down technology that is incorporated in the numerous BMW hybrids: the X5 40e, 224xe, 330e, and 740e iPerformance. Now BMW has moved to BMW Project i 2.0, which will concentrate on those aspects of mobility having to do with digitalization and connectivity. The company will focus on high-definition digital maps, sensor technology, cloud technology, and artificial intelligence, which BMW hopes will take it toward fully automated and networked driving.
“Our focus is clear: we are securing the BMW Group’s position as technological market leader,” said Klaus Fröhlich, member of the Board of Management responsible for research and development. “With project i 2.0 we will lead the field of autonomous driving. We will turn research projects into new kinds of industrial processes, bringing future technology onto the road.“
The new BMW 7 Series, available since last October, offers us a glimpse into what Fröhlich is referring to. With a stereo camera and five radar sensors, the new 7 can stay in its lane and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, even at speeds of up to 130 mph. We’re glad that BMW is still thinking in terms of cars that can go at those speeds.
The BMW 7 Series can drive itself into and out of a garage with Remote Control Parking. Gesture control—although commands are fairly limited right now—lets us see the future of the driver-car interface and that BMW intends for the driver to be able to stay involved, although probably with less effort.
“In the future, all aspects of our products—whether design, handling or everyday usage—will be modeled more closely than ever before on the customer's needs,” stated Fröhlich. “Our technologies will learn to anticipate the needs of our customers. By converting data into intelligence, we will be enhancing the quality of life in a mobile world.”
There should be no change in BMW’s strategy when it comes to its bedrock products: the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series. Other than renewable fuel hybrids and a mix of improved efficiency gasoline and diesel powerplants, the company intends to stick to the principles that have made these two lines the industry standards that they are. Updated, of course, with the digitalization and connectivity that will also make them more convenient and safer.
We have known for some time that BMW Plant Spartanburg is gearing up to build the biggest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle ever—the BMW X7. What has us scratching our heads are Krüger’s comments that, “We will be broadening our model range with the BMW X7,” and, “We are also taking an in-depth look at the additional potential of this highly attractive segment.” What does that mean? Extra-long X7s? An X7 M? This could get interesting.
BMW M is alive and well, in-demand, and plans to stay that way. The new BMW M2 has convinced many critics that BMW and its M division have not lost their way and that they do, indeed, remember how to build fast, nimble, sporty cars that raise out heartbeats and our adrenalin levels. BMW M is already planning to expand its product range of full-on M cars as well as M Performance models of its more popular series.
Rolls-Royce has already started testing its new aluminum space-frame chassis that will go under all future Rollers. We are perhaps two years away from seeing the next-generation Rolls-Royces built using the new architecture.
BMW Motorrad: The strategic goal is to sell 200,000 BMW motorcycles and maxi-scooters by 2020. To get there, BMW will be exploring segments of the two-wheel market it hasn’t seen in many years: small displacement bikes. One such is the new BMW G 310 R.
More bikes, lighter Rolls-Royces, hybrid Minis, more M cars, an i8 Roadster and longer-range i3s, more digitalization, more connectivity, more services, and eventually, self-driving cars. That's what's next. We have a feeling that in about ten years, the parking lot at a well-attended BMW CCA meeting is going to be a very interesting place where we will be amazed at what the new BMWs will be able to do, and at the same time thankful that many Club members will still be bringing the classic Bimmers that drew us to the marque in the first place.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
