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”.
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.
