Let's say hello to Dee, our ultimate companion from BMW

New ICON Technological advances that have developed very rapidly lately can make something that initially only exist in the fictional world then be realized to the real world. As an illustration, in the past we could only see the figure of Herbie (a cutie 1963 VW Beetle that can talk) or KITT (a smart car with a number of capabilities because supported by advanced technology) only through a movie or television.

The BMW iVision Dee concept is a fully electric vehicle empowered by empathetic technology and future-forward design. (Picture from: TopGear)

And now such a kind of car is getting closer to reality, after BMW Group presented its newest concept car called the BMW iVision Dee Concept at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023 held in Las Vegas on January 4, 2023. While DEE stands for Digital Emotional Experience, and through this concept car, BMW intends to show the potential of digitalization which can turn vehicles into a smart companion.

The BMW iVision Dee (on the left) posed along with the legendary 1963 VW Beetle 'Herbie' (on the middle), and the KITT (on the right) at the CES 2023 in Las Vegas. (Picture from: Caricos)

Judging from its design, this futuristic concept car intended to be a preview of the next generation of BMW electric-powered vehicles to be released in 2025. Or in other words, this concept car is likened to a window to see into the company's Neue Klasse architectural platform. Overall this concept car has a design similar like BMW production cars that came out in the 80s to 90s for example the BMW 8 Series E31 and there are also some design cues that take from the M1.

The BMW iVision Dee (on the right) posed along with its predecessor concept of the 2021 BMW iVision Circular (on the left). (Picture from: Caricos)

In appearance, the BMW iVision Dee Concept is a mid-size sedan featuring the "peeled down design language," which will likely be seen three years from now on the BMW i3 sedan. Furthermore, this iVision Dee Concept adopts a harmonious blend of traditional and fresh futuristic styles as seen on a kind of BMW's kidney styled front grill design, dual headlights, and of course the distinctive Hofmeister Kink curves.

The BMW iVision Dee's front fascia looks very similar to the BMW iVision Circular Concept that was launched in September 2021. (Picture from: id.Motor1)

Interestingly, the styling of this concept car's front fascia looks very similar to the BMW iVision Circular Concept that was launched in September 2021. Where the BMW iVision Dee Concept is depicted with short overhangs highlighting the packaging benefits of a special electric car platform by maximizing the length of the wheelbase for a more spacious cabin.

The BMW iVision Dee adopts a harmonious blend of traditional and fresh futuristic styles as seen on a kind of BMW's kidney styled front grill design, dual headlights, and of course the distinctive Hofmeister Kink curves. (Picture from: BMW.co.uk)

Furthermore this conceptual EV has a clean side profile with no door handles or mirror caps, along with minimalist wheels painted yellow to match the body accents. While, the rear of the concept car is also unique in that its base taillights are mounted high, while the bumper takes up most of the rear.

As part of the welcome scenario, an avatar image of the driver can be projected onto the side window of the BMW iVision Dee concept car. (Picture from: TopGear)

Even the BMW emblem has been simplified, and look like a white sticker, with the headlights and grille blending together to create a "physical icon." According to the Munich-based brand, this is possible thanks to E-Ink technology which is able to combine a physical and digital forms onto a uniform surface that can change its appearance, while allowing it to change colors instantly (offered up to 32 different colors) like a chameleon. Wow, that's great this car can change colors!

The futuristic Head Up Display (HUD) on the windshield of the BMW iVision Dee is operated by BMW Mixed Reality Slider technology. (Picture from: BMW.co.uk)

And the BMW iVision Dee Concept still has another interesting features, ie an ability to interact and communicate with the occupants inside the cabin, where this car can express moods and bring up facial expressions and even talk like a friend. As part of the welcome scenario, an avatar image of the driver can be projected onto the side window. Maybe this interesting feature is far better than the one in the cutie Herbie or even the KITT.

The BMW iVision Dee's rear is also unique in that its base taillights are mounted high, while the bumper takes up most of the rear-section. (Picture from: BMW.co.uk)

As You can see inside, all conventional buttons and switches have been removed, nor is there any sign of the iDrive controller that is commonly found in today's BMW car models. Instead, there's an advanced technology called BMW Mixed Reality Slider coupled with touch-sensitive sensors on the instrument panel to control a large head-up display (HUD) that spans the entire width of the windshield, in which there are five selectable modes that allow the driver to choose how much content to display on the HUD.

The BMW iVision Dee capable to change the exterior color up to 32 different colors by using a sophisticated technology called E-Ink. (Picture from: BMW.co.uk)

On the steering wheel, as unconventional as the rest of the car. The steering wheel has vertical touchpoints (BMW calls them "phygital") to control content projected onto the windshield by the expansive HUD. BMW says this advanced HUD will be implemented on its first production EV model in 2025 which is built based on the Neue Klasse architecture. Furthermore the windows can be dimmed to “drop reality out” and make the interior feel more immersive.

Unfortunately, not all details about the BMW iVision Dee Concept that is revealed yet, and another additional ones will be released later this year, when the German automaker shares some of the actual technical specifications, such as its powersource, drivetrain and others. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BMW.CO.UK | BMWBLOG | BIZCRAST | TOPGEAR | CARSCOOPS | ID.MOTOR1 ]

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