BMW's Panoramic iDrive promises new era of driver-focus

Single panels combining multiple screens, and 'run-of-the-mill' head-up displays (HUDs)? Those might soon be things of the past. 

After months of teasers, BMW has finally pulled the covers off its all new BMW Panoramic iDrive system, which seems poised to revolutionise the driving experience of its cars thanks to digital features not seen in the automotive world thus far. 

The BMW Panoramic iDrive system will debut on the first Neue Klasse car, which will be released before year-end - but customers can expect to see it integrated into all future BMW models in time to come, irrespective of drivetrain type

Why BMW Panoramic iDrive is so significant now

Rooted in an 'eyes on the road, hands on the wheel' philosophy, the reveal of the BMW Panoramic iDrive comes after years of teasers (on the Vision Neue Klasse, i Vision Dee, and Vision Neue Klasse X), and promises to blend the realms of both software and hardware like never before.

The ultimate goal: A "clear and pared-back" cockpit design.

It also marks the most significant overhaul of the driving experience in BMWs in years, and will herald the arrival of OS X - which succeeds the OS 8 and OS 9 eras that first started with the original BMW iX. And while the overall four-component concept remains faithful to earlier iterations, it's interesting to see how BMW has tweaked the system to its current state.

The latest reveal of the close-to-production BMW Panoramic iDrive is a clear evolution from earlier iterations teased first on the Vision Neue Klasse (in yellow) and on the Vision Neue Klasse X (in reddish-orange)

Before drilling down into the details, it's worth noting the official word is that the larger-than-life setup seen in these pictures is still a 'close-to-production version'. Nonetheless, it's likely this is faithful enough to the final iteration on the first Neue Klasse model - meaning that this is effectively what future customers can expect to see and experience in their cars.

To refresh your memory slightly, that point isn't too far ahead in the future. BMW states that the first first Neue Klasse car - or the successor to the iX3 - will be launched by the end of this year.

But here's another crucial point: Though the first to get it, the brand is making it crystal clear that BMW Panoramic iDrive won't be exclusive to the new iX3. Instead, it will be "integrated into all new BMW models - across all vehicle segments and with all drive system technologies - from the end of 2025". Whether you intend to buy a BMW-badged ICE car or EV post-2025, then, expect to see this onboard. 

Instead of a screen, the 'Panoramic Vision' functions more similarly to a head-up display, with a projection cast (or more accurately, reflected) onto a black printed surface positioned at the base of the car's windscreen

Beneath the standout piece: All-new 'Panoramic Vision' display

On a technical level, it's arguably more accurate to see the four key components of BMW Panoramic iDrive as mutually inclusive entities, rather than disparate parts. Nonetheless, singling out the unprecedented standout piece of this setup - the 'Panoramic Vision' display - is inevitable, given the fact that as a re-imagination of conventional driver instrument clusters, it's quite unlike anything seen in the auto world so far. 

To start with some quick facts, this is not in fact a screen, but a projection cast onto a blacked printed surface positioned at the base of the car's windscreen, spanning the entire length between its two A-pillars.

As such, seeing this more as a head-up style display is more accurate - but even then, a chat with the development team during our time in South Carolina that the Panoramic Vision doesn't function entirely in the same way. (That is to say, with a projector directly casting light onto a surface).

Unlike conventional HUDs, the Panoramic Vision will be visible by all occupants on board

Instead, as the team explains (and as we try to understand) it, a long display lying flat below is reflected onto the black printed surface. Another crucial difference: Conventional HUDs are visible only by the driver, but here, all occupants will be able to view information on the Panoramic Vision.

Because it contains driving information, the team shares that extensive testing has preceded its market arrival - to adhere to “very strict and rigorous relations" and "very strict safety criteria".

"There is no condition where you cannot see this," they go on to declare. 

Up to six widget slots are available on the Panoramic Vision - but drivers with the appetite for a more minimal feel will also be able to enjoy it, given the display's customisability (Panoramic Vision in 'Sport' mode depicted on right/below)

Mind-boggling tech aside, the Panoramic Vision naturally also allows for extra bits of information to be spread out into elevated view. 

While vital driving information will always remain in direct line of sight above the steering wheel, the availability of six widget slots means drivers could push other bits, such as the air quality index, weather conditions, or their media up here too. Driver personalisation was apparently a vital goal here; if you so wish, you could clear all slots out for a cleaner driving experience.

This matrix-backlit central display has been positioned close to the steering wheel for more user-friendly touch control

An evolution of the remaining three components: Central Display, Multi-function steering wheel, 3D Head-Up Display

Given how comprehensive the Panoramic Vision can be already, it should thus also be unsurprising that the single 'Curved Display' panel that introduced OS 8 and continued with OS 8.5 and 9 has been left behind.

Instead, BMW has moved towards an angled central display, whose parallelogram-like shape will be flipped in accordance with left-hand drive or right-hand drive requirements. And again, in line with the 'eyes on the road, hands on the wheel' philosophy, this will be positioned close to the steering wheel in an “ergonomically ideal” position, for user-friendly touch control.

True to the idea of seamless integration - and true to earlier teasers - the Central Display functions as the base of control for the Panoramic Vision's content selection, with the pushing up of widgets executed with an upwards swipe.

As promised, the Central Display and Panoramic Vision will work together seamlessly; a simple swipe can help move widgets up on onto the elevated display

Freshly landing in this unveiling, however, is the revelation of its user interface and zero-layer menu structure - which bear remarkable resemblance to those on OS 8.5 and 9. One specific feature that's set to be carried over is 'QuickSelect': Effectively a permanently-affixed, scrollable widget bar that reduces the need for menu-diving.

Given the digital-heavy setup so far, it might be surprising to note the number of (haptic) buttons on the new multifunction steering wheel. (In fact, in the pictures, you'll count a whopping total of 12 with fixed functions on the right side - although BMW states that the final figure is possibly subject still to tweaks.) 

"If we preach eyes on the road, we've actually got to mean eyes on the road," the team tells us. "The studies very clearly showed, in terms of what the customer seeks, and understands best, and thinks is most efficient - and efficient means not a lot of attention required for what he needs to do - that those singular buttons are completely justified."

Though incorporating 'Shy Tech', the new multifunction steering wheel will still have a heavy emphasis on buttons - with the right panel even containing those with dedicated functions

Expectedly, however, the new steering wheel comes with its own fresh takes. As part of BMW's 'Shy Tech' philosophy, they only light up when the car is switched on - fading seamlessly into the background otherwise for a cleaner look.

Another fresh spin is its shape. Since there isn't actually any instrument cluster lying behind the steering wheel, the spokes now lie at the six and 12 o'clock positions - ostensibly to allow one's thumbs to rest more comfortably at the three and nine o'clock points.

Out of the four components that constitute the Panoramic iDrive system, only the 3D Head-Up Display has been singled out as optional equipment. BMW is touting this as quite a significant evolution still over HUDs equipped in its cars thus far, with its ability to project navigation and driving information more intuitively within a driver's field of vision. 

Boasting more technological sophistication than earlier generations, OS X has enabled BMW to integrate all four elements simultaneously, and promises greater upgrade and update capability in time to come

More personalisation and a more sophisticated software underpinning it all

Customisable widgets are one way of offering individualisation, but with OS X now arriving alongside the Panoramic iDrive system, another (bigger) inclusion promises an even more personalised driving experience.

Promising expanded intelligence, the latest generation of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will incorporate Large Language Models that incorporate technology from Amazon's Alexa AI for even more natural-feeling voice commands.

It's also set to arrive in an interesting new form: As what can be described as a floating ball with hyper-responsive eyes.

Apart from boasting expanded intelligence, BMW's latest Intelligent Personal Assistant promises an emotive and interactive new look

"Should it be, on the one hand, an avatar-looking one-to-one likeness of a person, or on the other end, a really, really abstract figure? We did different studies on what helps a person and what is awkward or what is nice," the team shares again, revealing that they eventually settled on something in the middle. 

"It's crazy, actually, how much emotional content you can create only with the eyes."

While Singaporean drivers may need to wait till the first Neue Klasse car is on sale here to get a proper experience of the new BMW Panoramic iDrive, the system has already made its physical world premiere at the Consumer Electronics Show 2025 in Las Vegas.