CES 2025: Take a look at BMW's new Panoramic iDrive display for the Neue Klasse EV
BMW's infotainment display gets a pillar-to-pillar update with the new Panoramic iDrive.
BMW's next generation of EVs, known as the Neue Klasse, will have a boosted visual display.
At a CES press conference in Las Vegas Tuesday morning, the German carmaker announced the BMW Panoramic iDrive — a complete overhaul of the current iDrive infotainment system from the operating system to the display screen.
The biggest changes to the infotainment system are a new head-up display called BMW Panoramic Vision, which includes optional 3D overlays, a new central display that can be swiped to the HUD, and new steering wheel controls with haptic feedback.
The original iDrive system was introduced 25 years ago, with its most current iDrive 9 version powering the newest BMW models.
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'Hands on the wheel, eyes on the road'
BMW is incorporating what it calls "shy-tech" into the new infotainment system. Instead of bombarding the driver with too much information on what feels like acres of screen, the new display is about using only necessary visuals and pings.
For example, navigation uses touch or voice control to provide directions on the 3D HUD and the Panoramic Vision display. If you want more information, you can see the entire map on the central display. BMW's approach seems to be that less is more, but if you want more, it's available at the touch of a screen. Here's a breakdown of how all of the new tech will work together to create a seamless and integrated experience: BMW
BMW Panoramic Vision: The HUD extends the length of the windshield along the bottom, displaying important driver information in front of the driver. The display can be customized to show any info you deem necessary.
3D Head-Up Display: An optional display with 3D overlays to project information.
Central Display: This is the screen we've all come to expect in any new car, from the Tesla Model 3 to the Hyundai Ioniq 9. BMW still uses its touchscreen menu from the current iDrive, but now, up to six different widgets can be swiped from the display onto the windshield.
Multifunction Steering Wheel: The steering wheel still has buttons along with haptic feedback and relief-like switches so you can feel what you're controlling without looking. Think of the steering wheel as the ultimate remote control for the vehicle.
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There's a new operating system, too
As part of the new Panoramic iDrive, BMW presented BMW Operating System X. This newest OS since the iDrive 9 continues the tradition of being Android-based and compatible with the aforementioned new features coming at the end of the year. Since the operating system powers 22 million BMWs worldwide, the automaker worked with 3,000 BMW owners on its development in an effort to provide the best experience for its customers. BMW
The new iDrive system will be integrated into all new BMW models starting at the end of this year, with the Neue Klasse EVs being among the first to use the new Panoramic screen.
Final thoughts
After Mercedes-Benz's 56-inch Hyperscreen was released, the infotainment ante has been hard to top. However, in-vehicle technology has been a prime area for improvement and re-engineering in the luxury car world, especially for EVs.
BMW's newest iDrive update is a creative approach that goes beyond a central screen with windshield projections, voice functions, buttons, and switches that you can actually touch and feel with haptic feedback. Is it necessary? Probably not, but it sure is fun to see the new tech come to life.
