2011 BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept

There may have been a lot of buzz over V12 powered supercars and the next best thing to break 200mph on an average road, but BMW has gone a different route. The BMW Vision ConnectedDrive has made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and is showcasing all of the technology BMW has been developing and will be integrating into future cars. Just by looking at this concept it is easy to tell that it will never make it to production in this form, but many of the technologies and ideas found within could be coming out sooner than you think.

Official BMW representatives said: "In 2011 the automobile industry is celebrating the anniversary "125 yeas of the automobile," reason enough to not only look back, but also to look forward. Connectivity is one of the key fields of tomorrow’s world. And of course, we at BMW are proud to be among the pioneers of connected driving: for example, with the first on-board internet access in 2008, the first iPod integration in 2004, or the first ultrasound-based park distance control PDC in 1991."

"2011 is also the year in which we are setting course for the future. Initial insights are already available to you now in the Future Lab from BMW Vision ConnectedDrive. Or soon right here, with an extraordinary vehicle concept, which will once again revolutionize driving in terms of comfort, infotainment and safety. Exactly as you have come to expect from BMW."

BMW’s leadership and constant technology contest with Mercedes-Benz has led them to develop some of the best and most intuitive systems in production cars today. This concept shows how the future may render itself in the automotive realm. In a world where your car is as good or better than your office at getting things done – this is place where the ConnectDrive lives.

The new Vision ConnectedDrive Concept takes the EfficientDynamics’ design language to a new level of awesomeness. The concept is a two seater roadster that stares you straight in the face with its long bonnet stretching all the way to the windscreen. Lengthening the concept even more is a long wheelbase and a passenger compartment that sits well back. From this straight-on view, we can see the BMW kidney grilles, dual round headlights, and two large air vents. The ConnectedDrive brings over the electro- mechanical retracting doors as seen in the Z1 concept, which, as a reminder, are completely road legal when pulled back. That likens them to taking the doors off your Jeep CJ and cruising to the beach, but this is much better. Imagine being able to drive to the mall or the grocery store and park in the smallest space imaginable, open your door, and actually get out without hitting the car next to you. With doors that essentially disappear into the body, BMW has made this possible.