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BMW Reveals CO2-Neutral Car of the Future
Compact i Vision Circular crossover concept, revealed at this week's IAA auto show in Munich, aims to be 100% recycled and recyclable.
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BMW i Vision Circular crossover concept.BMW
MUNICH, Germany – BMW says it wants to become the world's most sustainable automaker with its recycled and recyclable i Vision Circular, which debuted at the 2021 Munich auto show.
The 157.5-in. (4,001-mm) long four-seat battery-electric hatchback has been created as a study into the type of CO2-neutral cars BMW expects to manufacture in 2040.
The i Vision Circular, whose name was inspired by the closed-loop principles behind it, explores the use of recycled aluminum and steel from waste material in an effort to lower its environmental impact across its entire lifecycle.
It also uses a solid-state battery, which BMW says offers higher energy density than today's lithium-ion batteries and uses less rare earths and other resources.
The tires, meanwhile, are produced from sustainably cultivated rubber.
The bold looking concept adopts an entirely new design lineage for the German automaker, with proportions and styling details unlike any existing BMW production model.
Although it is similar in dimensions to the current i3 battery-electric compact hatchback, CEO Oliver Zipse insistd the i Vision Circular is purely conceptual, denying claims it provides a preview to any upcoming BMW.
The four-seat concept is claimed to use 100% recycled materials and offer 100% recyclability in a program aimed at giving expensive materials with complex refinement processes a second life.
BMW says it already has instigated programs for the greater use of recycled and recyclable materials in its next generation of traditional combustion-engine and battery-electric models.
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The focus on a reduction of processes is reflected in the design of the i Vision Circular, with a commitment to reducing the number of materials and components.This includes the exterior, with intricate details replaced by simpler surfaces. BMW's traditional kidney grille makes way for a digital panel incorporating the headlamps and other light graphics in one panel, and the BMW badges are etched into the body.
The concept’s new interior aims to combine a level of luxury and comfort consummate with existing BMW models together with sustainable production processes and materials.
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A panoramic glass roof helps to increase the amount of light inside the cabin, while the four seats, designed to resemble home furnishings, use a recycled aluminum frame and recycled plastic upholstery.The i Vision Circular's instrument display has been conceived to provide occupants with what BMW describes as a "phygital" (a combination of physical and digital) experience. The 3D-printed panels extend out into the cabin from the dashboard with glass and wood elements.
The instruments are relocated from behind the steering wheel to an augmented reality head-up display at the base of the windscreen.
The driver is able to move the elements in the head-up display to suit their preference, via interactive pads mounted on the 3D-printed steering wheel.
Apart from confirming it is developing solid-state battery technology, BMW hasn’t released technical information for the i Vision Circular.
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