The 2014 Idea That Predicted At this time’s BMWs

BMW confirmed the Imaginative and prescient Future Luxurious in 2014and the primary response most individuals had was easy: why doesn’t BMW construct this? The proportions had been proper, the surfaces had been clear, and it appeared like a flagship with out attempting to shout. However the actual purpose the automobile is price revisiting now isn’t simply the styling. It’s what number of particulars on this idea become themes BMW stored coming again to—particularly on the 7 Collection and different huge, high-end fashions.

The Grille That Received There Early

In 2014, BMW’s kidney grilles had been nonetheless principally restrained. Imaginative and prescient Future Luxurious wasn’t. It pushed the kidneys bigger and extra dominant, mainly treating the grille because the centerpiece of the entrance finish. That issues as a result of just a few years later, BMW’s flagships moved in precisely that path. The 7 Collection and several other different fashions leaned into an even bigger, extra upright “face,” and whether or not you find it irresistible or hate it, this idea exhibits BMW had already explored the look lengthy earlier than it turned a manufacturing actuality.

Headlights That Are Now Seen Throughout A number of BMW Fashions

The headlights had been one other huge step for the time. BMW had its signature two-light identification, however Imaginative and prescient Future Luxurious made it skinny, sharp, and extremely graphic—very completely different from what you’d see on showroom BMWs in 2014–2015. At this time, that type of break up, multi-element “double” headlight theme feels utterly regular throughout the model. In loads of methods, it’s nearer to what you see now on automobiles just like the M3 and M4 than something BMW was promoting again then. The idea didn’t invent trendy BMW lighting, however it’s an early instance of BMW utilizing the headlights as a design signature as a substitute of simply {hardware}.

Slim taillights That Look Like At this time’s Pattern

Round again, the taillights are nearly shockingly slim. That’s the purpose: BMW was already chasing a thinner, extra technical rear-light look, and it’s a function you possibly can spot on a number of present BMWs. The idea additionally leaned into OLED pondering for rear lighting—a kind of “future tech” strikes that wasn’t only for present, as a result of it permits shapes and thinness you possibly can’t actually pull off with conventional lamp packaging.

The Inside Concepts That Really Confirmed Up Later

The cabin is the place this idea begins to really feel much less like fantasy and extra like a planning doc. You’ll be able to see the path BMW would later take with:

• A sportier, flatter-bottom steering wheel form
• Haptic-style controls on the wheel as a substitute of old-school button clusters
• A completely digital instrument structure
• Rear-seat screens and a tablet-like management gadget for passengers to handle media and capabilities

That final level is the large one. Rear-seat tech and “govt lounge” priorities are actually baked into BMW’s flagship strategy—particularly the newer 7 Collection the place the rear cabin isn’t handled like an afterthought. Imaginative and prescient Future Luxurious was already constructing that logic into the idea: for those who’re shopping for the highest sedan, the rear passengers ought to have actual management and actual consolation.

And sure, the rear seating structure looks like an early nod to the type of “two-seat, first-class” vibe BMW later leaned into with issues like captain’s chair layouts within the X7. Completely different automobile, similar concept: house and separation can really feel extra premium than merely squeezing in additional seats.

The Crystal Controls Earlier than BMW Offered Them

There’s additionally a element that’s simple to overlook till you bear in mind it turned an actual choice: the crystal-look shifter and iDrive controller. BMW later turned that concept into manufacturing with its glass management packages on high-end fashions. Within the idea, it wasn’t attempting to be futuristic—it was attempting to make the contact factors really feel particular in a really literal, bodily approach.

The Passenger Display screen: BMW Was Pondering About It Again Then

One of the fascinating “tells” on this idea is the way it treats the entrance passenger. The cabin structure clearly assumes the passenger is a part of the interface expertise, not simply somebody sitting subsequent to the motive force. That’s particularly related now, as a result of a devoted entrance passenger show has been rumored for upcoming high-end BMWs as quickly as 2026.

Whether or not that precise function arrives on schedule or not, the idea makes the broader level: BMW has been experimenting with the concept for a very long time. This stuff don’t seem in a single day.

The Coach Doorways That Nonetheless Haven’t Occurred

The coach (rear-hinged) doorways are the one crowd-pleaser BMW nonetheless hasn’t dropped at a flagship sedan. They’re dramatic, they make entry and exit really feel like an occasion, and so they immediately separate an idea from a traditional manufacturing automobile. BMW has used rear-hinged door options earlier than—most famously on the i3—however the “huge luxurious sedan with coach doorways” concept stays caught in idea land. In all probability for sensible causes. Nonetheless, it’s the type of element that makes you want BMW would take a threat infrequently on a limited-run halo automobile.

BMW Tends To Comply with By On Their Concepts

Imaginative and prescient Future Luxurious is remembered as a phenomenal BMW idea, and it’s. However the extra sincere purpose it holds up is easier: it was filled with concepts BMW really adopted by means of on.

Large kidneys. Slim double headlamps. skinny taillights. A screen-led cabin. Rear-seat tech and luxury as a precedence. Even the crystal-look controls. Put it subsequent to at present’s flagship BMWs and it doesn’t really feel like a bizarre relic—it looks like an early chapter.

And that’s what idea automobile is meant to be. Not a spaceship. Only a clear have a look at what the model is already working towards.