The BMW Group took the opportunity at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas, USA, to showcase the latest version of the new BMW iDrive, which, along with Panoramic Vision and the BMW X operating system, promises to radically change the way drivers interact with their vehicles.
Set to become an “integral part” of all future models from the German brand, the latest version of iDrive has four main components. The most prominent is the uniquely shaped infotainment system, which features matrix backlighting technology. BMW stated that the system has an updated menu structure and is “easy and highly intuitive” to operate.
Above this is the new BMW Panoramic Vision system, which is a sleek display positioned across the dashboard from pillar to pillar, acting as a heads-up display. Divided into three sections, this screen presents itself to the driver as a digital instrument panel.
The other two sections can be customized with widgets that can be slid onto the Panoramic Vision display from the infotainment system. The latter can gather up to six widgets that users can organize and personalize.
There is also an optional 3D Head-Up Display, which according to BMW can show navigation and driving information in the driver’s field of vision. The German brand also revealed that the content of the BMW Panoramic Vision and the D Head-Up Display is presented in a coordinated manner.
Additionally, the new multifunctional steering wheel replaces the previously used button on the central console, allowing for physical control of buttons that access functions. These buttons have a well-defined raised surface, making them extremely easy to locate and allowing the driver to press them without needing to divert their gaze from the road.
The new BMW Operating System X is announced by the brand as an evolution of the current system and is once again based on Android. Among its advantages, BMW points out “greater update and upgrade capability,” as well as perfect interaction between the various displays.
Moreover, the new operating system allows for greater customization, including the ability to upload photographs for use as backgrounds in the infotainment system.
It is also worth noting the capabilities of BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant, which are constantly being improved and, with the new operating system, promise to reach a completely new level for the Neue Klasse through the integration of Large Language Models (LLM). The use of this technology will initially focus on navigation, allowing the driver to use more natural language. For example, BMW stated that users could ask the voice assistant something like, “Take me to a charging station that is near a grocery store.”.
In this way, BMW ensures that the new operating system provides a smart software foundation, guaranteeing a wide margin for customization and a broad range of digital features.
“A quarter of a century of pioneering work and technological leadership in operational concepts has been channeled into the new BMW Panoramic iDrive”, said Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Development. “The foundations are provided by the new BMW Operating System X. With this advancement, we are giving one of the best and most comprehensive infotainment systems in the world even more capability and once again setting the industry standard in multimodal interaction. Starting with the first mass-produced Neue Klasse model at the end of this year, the new BMW Panoramic iDrive will be an integral part of all future BMW models.”, assured the BMW executive.
