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BMW gives a peek at the future with its i Vision Dynamics concept

- NEIL VORANO Driving.ca

What is it?: The BMW i Vision Dynamics is another clear indication major automakers are beginning to feel the heat from Tesla. While just a concept, this is a fully electric mid-size sedan with a long range and autonomous driving features that has the Tesla Model S squarely in its sights.

Why does it matter?: On top of a slew of luxury vehicles set to debut in the next few years, BMW has another ambitious goal of 25 new electrifie­d vehicles by 2025, 12 of those being full-on EVs. The i Vision Dynamics may not be ready for production just yet, but it’s a good indication of the design language that will be used in BMW’s electric revolution.

The company says this car has a range of more than 600 kilometres and a top speed of almost 200 kilometres an hour. Though it’s easy to say that about a concept, it’s another thing to produce a car capable of those specs. Regardless, it’s a very futuristic design: The kidney grilles remain, but instead of being used for engine cooling, they house what BMW calls an intelligen­t surface where sensors for autonomous driving can reside. So, there’s also that angle.

When will we see it?: Hard to say, but you should see at least a version of it in the next eight years, but probably sooner.

Should you buy it?: Without a price or even a production version with real specs, it’s difficult to compare the i Vision Dynamics with the Model S, but when it finally does hit showrooms, you can bet your electrons it will be worth a look.

 ?? DEREK McNAUGHTON/DRIVING.CA ?? BMW’s i Vision Dynamics concept.
DEREK McNAUGHTON/DRIVING.CA BMW’s i Vision Dynamics concept.

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