BMW Vision M Next Concept Is A Driverless M Car From The Future

In a matter of days, we will find out what the future holds for BMW’s M cars, as the automaker will uncover the Vision M Next Concept.

Named after the Vision iNext, which the company says “shows us ways in which autonomous driving will change life on board our vehicles”, the M Next “demonstrates how technology can be harnessed to enhance driving pleasure”.

In plain English, BMW’s prepping an autonomous high-performance model, equipped with state-of-the-art tech that will one day transition to M production models.

No matter how blurry or darkened they may be, all teaser images have something in common: they were created after the actual car sat in front of the camera lens. Not these ones though, as they were made using paper and cardboard by Thomas Demand, an artist who’s been given early access to the M Next. His creation does illustrate some of the design characteristics of the show car and uses the same color scheme and visual forms, blending into an “abstract photographic art”.

“When we reveal a new vehicle, there are myriad overall views at play. This time we’re taking a new approach and presenting a selection of artworks ahead of the car’s unveiling”, said Vice President of Design, Adrian van Hooydonk. “The photos are fascinating and tell their own story. They are very close to the BMW Vision Vehicle and yet completely abstract, pure art. They will only become tangible when you set eyes on the Vision vehicle itself.”

So, what are we looking at? In all likelihood, it’s a two-door coupe, with sharp creases and elegant lines. The base color appears to be grey, yet the exterior has been adorned by black and orange, too.

Speaking about the project, Demand said: “Like most artists, I’m fascinated by things we haven’t seen before, images still to be discovered. So, I was delighted to accept the invitation of Adrian van Hooydonk to bring out essential, abstract elements. The M Next study is a highly complex vehicle, whose radical design extends beyond the job description of an everyday model. A concept like this represents a very interesting opportunity for me to transport these ideas and future forms into the public consciousness.”

BMW and Demand previously collaborated back in 2000, when the automaker commissioned him to create a piece for the AutoWerke collection. That project saw 28 international artists turning their attention from their usual work to cars and mobility.