Retro Resurgence: Exploring Why BMW's Latest Concept Car Embraces Old-Fashioned Buttons

Mar 30, 2024 03:40 AM EDT

GRAYSCALE PHOTOGRAPHY OF BMW CAR — (Photo : PEXELS/Maria Geller )

BMW debuted the Vision Neue Klasse concept car at Munich, Germany's IAA Mobility auto show the previous year. This retro yet futuristic concept offers a preview of an electric sports car that will likely become a 3-series model as early as 2026. The 1962 BMW inspired Neue Klasse, this design reflects a significant period in the history of the brand and represents innovation and change.

BMW's Car, Old-Fashioned Buttons

Earlier this week, BMW revealed the Vision Neue Klasse X concept, offering a futuristic interpretation of an electric X3 model. Contrasting with typical concept car interiors, the Neue Klasse X showcases a sleek design featuring a wide digital instrument display and a central touchscreen, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic devoid of traditional buttons or dials.

According to Motor1.com, interestingly, a nostalgic touch emerges upon closer inspection of the front door panels, where vintage seat-adjuster buttons reminiscent of older luxury vehicles can be spotted, adding a unique blend of retro and modern elements to the vehicle's interior design.

During the media preview of the Vision Neue Klasse X in Portugal, a BMW representative emphasized the practicality of retaining physical seat-adjuster buttons in the vehicle. According to the representative, adjusting the seat while driving is a common and intuitive practice for many individuals, allowing them to make adjustments without needing to divert attention to a display.

This decision highlights the significance of maintaining these tactile control elements for certain functions within the car.

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Incorporating a modern approach, the Vision Neue Klasse X introduces a multi-function steering wheel to replace traditional physical controls like the iDrive knob from the center console. BMW highlights that this innovative steering wheel design enables designers to position the central dashboard screen optimally, ensuring clear visibility without obstructing the driver's forward view through the windshield.

During the media presentation of the Vision Neue Klasse X in Portugal, a BMW representative acknowledged that despite the concept's button-free dashboard, practical considerations will likely lead to a more intricate design in the final production model.

The representative explained that customer feedback from clinics played a crucial role in shaping the vehicle's features. While the iDrive controller will be phased out, the car will retain certain physical controls where deemed essential, complementing the multifunctional steering wheel and panoramic display.

The emphasis is on maintaining a balance between modern technology and necessary tactile interfaces, ensuring a user-friendly experience without completely eliminating traditional control elements.

According to a report by Car and Driver from last year, the classic Neue Klasse model played a crucial role in BMW's history, serving as a lifesaver for the company in the 1960s. This series later evolved into the renowned 2002 model, praised by Car and Driver's David E. Davis Jr. as an exceptional mode of transportation.

While BMW currently enjoys a stronger position than in the past, the introduction of this electrified vision signifies a new era of transformation for the brand, reminiscent of the revolutionary period when the original Neue Klasse was lauded.

The most remarkable aspect of the Neue Klasse concept is its front end, which is distinguished by a forward-slanted nose and noticeable kidney-shaped faux grilles. The concept's design clearly pays attention to the unique features of the iconic automobile, with a nod to the 2002 edition.