At CES 2025 BMW has introduced its Panoramic iDrive a feature-packed infotainment system. At the heart of the system is the BMW Panoramic Vision, a pillar-to-pillar HUD. This innovative display projects critical driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight above the steering wheel, while additional customizable sections allow content to be displayed centrally and on the passenger side.
For additional functionality, the BMW 3D HUD is available as an optional upgrade. Positioned above the Panoramic Vision, it integrates navigation and driver assistance data directly into the driver’s field of vision. The information displayed in the Panoramic Vision and 3D HUD is designed to work seamlessly together, offering a combination of navigation and vehicle data.
The central display uses matrix backlight technology and features an updated QuickSelect menu for touch-based operation. Positioned near the steering wheel this display allows users to swipe up to six widgets directly onto the Panoramic Vision display, arranging them according to personal preferences.
The multifunction steering wheel is another standout feature, controls with BMW’s shy-tech design. Lighted buttons highlight available functions with active haptic feedback to help avoid diverting attention from the road, one of the chief downsides of touch interfaces in automotive display designs. The buttons are arranged with driver assistance controls on the left and infotainment controls on the right.
The new BMW Operating System X powers the Panoramic iDrive and serves as the platform for advanced features and future updates. Based on an Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack, the system allows for seamless over-the-air updates. Drivers can personalize their experience extensively, adjusting ambient lighting, uploading custom display backgrounds, and tailoring vehicle attributes like steering and response settings. Voice command capabilities have also been enhanced through the integration of LLMs, allowing drivers to issue complex commands, such as finding a charging station near a specific type of store.
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant plays a central role in enhancing usability, responding to natural language commands and proactively suggesting features based on user habits. For example, it can highlight rarely used driver assistance systems or recommend activating specific driving modes in appropriate conditions. The system adapts to the user over time, ensuring a more intuitive interaction with the vehicle’s features. Additionally, the assistant integrates with third-party apps available through the BMW ConnectedDrive Store, offering tools like Zoom and other productivity solutions.
The system also includes physical controls for essential functions such as windscreen wipers, turn signals, and volume adjustment, alongside digital controls for navigation, media, and vehicle settings. This balance between analog and digital inputs ensures a safe and user-friendly experience. Further enhancing the driving atmosphere, the HypersonX Sound Experience offers custom driving sounds tailored to different modes, with a total of 43 unique sound signals designed to engage the driver and passengers.
The BMW Panoramic iDrive and Operating System X will debut with the Neue Klasse models at the end of 2025 and subsequently be introduced across all BMW vehicles, regardless of drivetrain technology.
