They
say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but that’s not entirely true
when it comes to BMW’s latest project, the Urban Suite. Building upon the i3, the German automaker
has converted a whole fleet of them into moving lounges, and will be taking
them from Munich to Las Vegas for the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show. The
carmaker will allow those interested in the electric model to experience it
from the passenger seat, and to do so, they will need to order one using a dedicated
app.
The
transformation saw the i3s getting an almost complete makeover on the inside,
with only the driver’s seat and dashboard being left untouched. Thus, the rear
bench is gone and replaced by an individual seat, with a footrest mounted where
the front passenger seat is normally found. To the left, the occupant has a
small table complete with a lamp, and the design creates a lounge-like
experience, or “an inviting space with a high feel-good factor in which to
spend time”, according to BMW.
Whenever
they don’t feel like looking out the window or spending time on their phone,
the passengers can enjoy the special entertainment system, complete with a
screen that flips down from the headliner and a personal ‘sound zone’.
Elsewhere, the i3 gets a selection of eco-friendly materials, including fabrics
and floor mats that contain recycled materials, along with wood and
olive-tanned leather.
BMW
didn’t say what its future plans are for the i3 Urban Suite, subsequent to the
CES presentation, where it will sit under the spotlight from January 7 to 10,
but they will probably use it in upcoming events.
