BMW Unveils New-Gen iDrive With Panoramic Vision

LAS VEGAS – BMW has revealed a near-production-ready version of its Panoramic Vision head-up display system at CES 2025 here.

The new system, initially previewed in conceptual form by the Neue Klasse and Neue Klasse X concept cars, will debut on all future BMW models, beginning with the upcoming successor to the iX3, planned for U.S. introduction in 2026.

Panoramic Vision is part of a comprehensive upgrade to BMW’s existing head-up display and iDrive systems, underpinned by the new Operating System X software package. This upgrade brings advanced features, additional functions and faster, more seamless performance, according to BMW.

The Panoramic Vision system projects content onto a black surface within the lower section of the windshield, extending across its entire width. The content is visible to all occupants and can be personalized, serving as an extension of BMW’s updated head-up display unit. In upgraded models, this display offers optional 3D visualization on the central section of the windshield, directly in front of the driver.

Frank Weber, BMW’s head of development, describes Panoramic Vision as scalable and confirms its incorporation across all vehicle segments by the end of 2025.

“A quarter century of work in operating systems has been channeled into the new BMW Panoramic iDrive,” he says. “It will be an integral part of all future BMW models.”

The head-up display is supported by BMW’s in-house-developed Operating System X software. Like Operating System 9, launched in recent BMW models, it is based on Google’s Android Open Source Project software stack but offers significantly improved computing power.

BMW Panoramic Vision offers enhanced customization.

BMW emphasizes enhanced update and upgrade capabilities with improved over-the-air functionality, including backward compatibility for retroactive software updates.

The new operating system has been informed by data gathered from over 22 million connected vehicles, according to BMW. It has also benefited from studies conducted by BMW Group’s Usability Lab, which involved feedback from up to 3,000 customers on the system’s logic, interface and layout.

The system retains the ability to integrate third-party apps. BMW currently offers 60 apps in its ConnectedDrive Store and suggests that more productivity apps, including Zoom video conferencing, will be added soon.

Additionally, BMW has improved its Intelligent Personal Control voice assistant through the integration of new Large Language Models from partner Amazon. This enhancement enables the system to respond to more conversational commands for tasks such as navigation.

The Intelligent Personal Control system can also make suggestions to the driver. For instance, on suitable roads it may prompt the driver to switch into Sport mode.

Drivers can choose from six widgets for the Panoramic iDrive function, which can be placed anywhere within the windshield via the central infotainment display interface.

The new iDrive system also features revised steering wheel controls with illuminated buttons combining physical and digital interfaces. For example, incoming phone calls appear as an icon on the windshield. Simultaneously, a button on the left side of the steering wheel lights up green, allowing the driver to accept the call, while a touch-sensitive button on the right side enables rejection.

BMW claims the new iDrive system offers greater personalization than its predecessor. Displays for the Panoramic Vision can be customized and digital photographs can be uploaded as backgrounds for the central infotainment display. Additionally, ambient-lighting color schemes are adjustable.Another feature of the enhanced iDrive system is an expanded range of synthetic sounds within the upgraded HypersonX Sound Experience. This feature now includes up to 43 distinct sound signals and driving sounds.