BMW’s i Imaginative and prescient Round idea previews “a sustainable automobile of the long run,” CEO Oliver Zipse mentioned.
The idea is constructed nearly fully from recyclable supplies, Zipse mentioned on the automobile’s unveiling on the IAA Munich auto present on Monday.
The four-seat electrical automobile exhibits the automaker’s mindset in relation to sustainable mobility, Zipse mentioned.
Its design is optimized to make use of supplies which have already accomplished a product life cycle alongside natural uncooked supplies.
The idea’s solid-state battery is 100% recyclable.
“It’ll obtain a lot greater vitality density with considerably decreased use of essentially the most beneficial assets,” BMW mentioned in an announcement.
Zipse mentioned the idea doesn’t preview the automaker’s upcoming electrical vehicles based mostly on the Neue Klasse (German for New Class) structure.
As a substitute, BMW is waiting for a compact mannequin for the 12 months 2040 with the i Imaginative and prescient Round idea.
“We respect there are numerous BMW followers eager for a primary foretaste of the Neue Klasse, however the BMW i Imaginative and prescient Round isn’t it,” Zipse mentioned. “I can promise, nevertheless, that, on a sustainability stage, the Neue Klasse is being developed with the identical mindset utilized for the BMW i Imaginative and prescient Round.”
BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk mentioned the idea exhibits the automaker’s concepts for combining sustainability with a brand new “round design” strategy that has a minimal footprint.
The idea has been designed to cut back complexity within the variety of parts, materials teams and floor finishes.
It has no kidney body grille and dispenses utterly with exterior paintwork, leather-based and chrome, as an illustration, van Hooydonk mentioned.
The 4000-mm lengthy idea is concerning the measurement of the automaker’s i3 full-electric hatchback. Its design mixes SUV and minivan components.
BMW didn’t give any technical data on the i Imaginative and prescient Round.