During BMW’s press event at CES 2025, the company presented the new driving and user experience that will be introduced in all new BMW models by the end of 2025. Attendees at CES had the first opportunity to experience the close-to-production version of the new BMW Operating System X, BMW iDrive and BMW Panoramic Vision.
The new BMW Operating System X is the intelligence hub behind the new display and operating concept. The holistic system, with its modern, style-shaping design, will be introduced in all new BMW models from the end of 2025. Developed in-house by BMW, the new BMW Operating System X represents an update of the latest operating system, as used in many BMW models.
BMW Operating System X is based on an Android Open-Source Project (AOSP) software stack. It offers even greater update and upgrade capability than the predecessor system. The BMW Operating System X is ready to accommodate additional functions and will keep vehicles equipped with the new BMW Panoramic iDrive at the cutting edge of technology over a long period of time.
The new BMW Panoramic iDrive merges four central elements into a unique display and operating concept BMW Panoramic Vision, BMW 3D Head-Up Display, Central Display with QuickSelect and new Multifunction Steering Wheel.
BMW Panoramic Vision
BMW Panoramic Vision is a Head-Up Display concept newly developed by BMW for projecting content – reflects visible information from A-pillar to A-pillar onto a black printed surface in the lower section of the windscreen. This information is visible to all occupants. The most important driving information is projected directly into the driver’s line of sight on the left-hand side of the BMW Panoramic Vision (in left-hand-drive cars), above the steering wheel.
The driver can personalize the content in the central and right-hand areas of the BMW Panoramic Vision via the central display. The integration of the BMW Panoramic Vision creates a 3D effect for the driver and passengers.
The BMW Panoramic iDrive’s new HypersonX sound experience, developed by the BMW Group Sound Design Studio, comprises 43 sound signals and special driving sounds for Personal Mode and Sport Mode. The multi-dimensional spectrum adapts the sounds precisely to the driving situation at hand and, in so doing, creates an emotional interaction between the driver and their BMW.
BMW 3D Head-Up Display
The new and optional BMW 3D Head-Up Display above the BMW Panoramic Vision now shows integrated navigation and automated driving information directly in the driver’s field of vision. The content in the BMW Panoramic Vision and BMW 3D Head-Up Display is presented in a neatly coordinated way.
The level of innovation achieved by the two Head-Up display technologies is underlined by several patent applications from the BMW Group resulting from the development of these projection technologies.
Central Display with QuickSelect
On the central display, with matrix backlight technology, is the updated menu structure with QuickSelect ensures optimal operation of the functions and content by touch. Operation is very easy and convenient, as the free-cut-design display is located close to the steering wheel in an ergonomically ideal position. Selected content (widgets) can be carried over to the BMW Panoramic Vision with a swipe on the central display. As many as six widgets are possible and they can be arranged as desired in the BMW Panoramic Vision.
New Multifunction Steering Wheel
The new multifunction steering wheel uses BMW’s shy-tech approach, whereby the relevant buttons are illuminated to highlight available functions. The steering wheel serves as the primary physical control, and its buttons provide active haptic feedback. The buttons have a well-judged, relief-like surface, which makes them extremely easy to locate and means the driver can press them without needing to divert their gaze away from the road. The arrangement of the buttons follows the familiar principle of driver assistance functions being positioned on the left-hand side of the steering wheel and content-controlling functions on the right-hand side.
The capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant are being constantly enhanced and will be taken to a whole new level for the Neue Klasse through the integration of Large Language Models (LLM). The use of this technology is focused initially on navigation, allowing the customer to give more extensive spoken commands using natural language.
BMW Operating System X carries over the scope for integration of third-party apps from the previous infotainment generation. As things stand, the BMW ConnectedDrive Store offers more than 60 apps worldwide for BMW Operating System 9. The selection will continue to grow, e.g. with productivity apps such as video conferencing service Zoom.
The new display and operating concept will be introduced across all new BMW models from the end of 2025.
To learn more about BMW Neue Klasse please visit https://www.bmwusa.com/concept-vehicles/vision-neue-klasse.html.
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Source: BMW, CES, CTA, Neue Klasse, iDrive, BMW OS
