What we know!

When it comes to the capabilities presented through the Panoramic Vision Windshield, the list is endless! From details like weather, music information, directions and more, the essentials are front and center and the fusion of reality and the virtual world is made crystal clear! It even has the ability to customize widgets, so much so that they are visible only to select occupants. A very sharp image of the information for driver and passenger alike is made clear through this innovative technology, all of which is consistent with BMW’s driver-centric approach in the new iDrive control system.

The new head-up display, which spans the entire width of the wind-screen for all passengers, goes into production with the first NEUE KLASSE models, with the name a throw back to the company’s pioneering models of the 1960s. Along with the Panoramic Vision, BMW is setting new standards in the areas of digitalization, sustainability and design for electric cars. A unique interaction as a result of this display is realized.

“The driver decides themselves which information they want to display in their own field of vision, or that all occupants can see the entire content,” Frank Weber, a BMW development board member, explained upon BMW’s first announcement of the system in 2023.

Different from traditional HUDs, the Panoramic Vision instead reflects information on a black band instead of using a screen or projecting it onto clear glass. That makes it an ideal scenario when wearing polarized sunglasses, allowing you to see it unlike others which filter out most HUDs.

There is also a clear safety component to this new technology in that moving screens to the windshield means drivers no longer need to look away from the road to see anything. This is truly an ideal driving environment, on top of the fact that the display is fully personalizable, allowing one to choose where to put the info desired, and remove anything that is not.

Part of a broader ecosystem called the “Panoramic iDrive,” the Panoramic Vision is considered a digital solution, providing additional customizable and safety features such as an optional 3D HUD above the Panoramic Vision, voice controls and configurable vehicle sounds. A massive touchscreen which replaces a conventional control panel is void of physical buttons, which many will relish in! The iDrive system also features controls with haptic feedback on the steering wheel.

Truly a perfect balance of entertainment and safety, the new BMW Panoramic iDrive not only makes vehicles smarter and more user-friendly, but enables more extensive personalization, according to Adrian van Hooydonk, senior vice president of BMW Group Design. This means that your car truly becomes your own.

The Panoramic Vision represents the latest in a series of efforts by BMW to balance entertainment with safety. It is also a means for the automaker to set itself up for future updates. Alongside the new HUD, the Panoramic iDrive also brings an upgraded operating system, developed entirely in house by BMW, providing the processing power necessary for more advanced functions moving forward.

At this point, it remains unclear how the new OS or iDrive will be compatible with other infotainment platforms. Also, how the technology affects safety and convenience will become more clear when it comes out later this year.

By projecting pertinent information into the windscreen, thus reducing driver distraction, the Panoramic Vision Windshield is a key example of the future and all the capabilities BMW brings forth. With just a slide of a finger, the driver can truly open a window to the world. It further enhances active driving situations with crucial information at just the right time and provides enhanced customization, an added bonus that is of great appeal to today’s motorists. From a custom background to key information or even syncing social media sites, the window to the future world is yours! See what the future has in store, and what is front and center – all thanks to BMW