At first glance, the Vision Neue Klasse concept looks like a more realistic interpretation of the iVision Dee, featuring the same fundamental design all across but with more production-ready elements inside and out. There are almost no character lines, the 3D-printed tail outline serves retro vibes, and the slanted LEDs on the front take some inspiration from the Ford Mustang. It’s an interesting hodge-podge of design elements given a futuristic makeover, but not everything here will win favorable glances.
Let’s get straight to the point here. BMW is not willing to let go of that divisive kidney grille. Instead, the brand has only exaggerated it to such an extent that the faux grilles now cover the entire front profile. It’s nowhere near as obnoxious as the iX or the i4, but if you are among the fanboys venting against huge kidney grilles in a Reddit forum, know that it is here to stay –- electric, hybrid, or combustion format.
The only saving grace here is that the kidney grilles now serve a ‘phygital’ purpose and the chrome-inspired lines add some character to it. BMW says the grille offers a “lighting effect with precise three-dimensional animation” when a person is nearby. BMW is also taking a similar tech-savvy approach for sides, where the absence of door handles stands out. Instead, BMW is using e-ink, just like its ambitious color-changing concept, that lights up to show a person where to wave for the door to open.