2 Series [Spy Shots] 2021 BMW 2-series Active Tourer Mk2

[Matski]

I think the Mods should merge this thread with...

Let me guess, you have a problem with the UKL platform, based mostly on the sheer existence of it?

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Absof#ckinglutely

 

[MrRapp]

So from now on we call the idrive controller “The Knob”

 

[klier]

But that's not a curved screen. It's just two simple flat...

Looks curved to me:

 

[advantage20]

So they are getting rid of every feature that made a BMW interior special: iDrive rotary controller, physical A/C controls, memory buttons, drive mode selector, in favor of lumping everything into the central screen with only a few scattered buttons remaining on the central console, yeah good job

 

[dalab]

That there is no iDrive controller is as likely as you think that this giant wheel will go instead as a volume control as seen in the photo, seriously you would not give the benefit of the doubt?

It would be an incomprehensible mistake not to put it and I would almost bet that the controller will continue to exist

 

[SCOTT27]

Looks curved to me:

It’s curved. The new interface that rolls out from i4 onwards all use a curved screen.

 

[hovabongZA]

To think that the hated UKL platform will debut some of the interior cues for future BMWs the sky is falling indeed, BMW have lost it,cant be right.

 

[Matski]

MW have lost it,cant be right.

Cats and dogs living together, mass hysteria!

 

[advantage20]

That there is no iDrive controller is as likely as you think...

If you go beyond the bad photo quality with crappy plastic reflections, the island of commands on the central console actually looks fully finished and production ready. Not a quick fix mash-up of preexisting elements from other models carelessly bundled together as it usually is the case on early stage prototypes.

This command island has been completely redesigned and includes a new trendy miniature gear selector (yuck) and buttons that were previouly positioned on the center stack (volume knob, red warning button). The center stack now seems completely devoid of commands except a couple A/C buttons around the air vents. So yeah, they seem to be going mainstream with the suppression of as many physical commands as possible in favor of digital screen commands (yuck).

On the plus side, this new layout seems to be creating quite a lot of extra storage space: directly at the right of the now narrower center console, and a high vertical space between the center console and the center stack that may well be large enough to house two inductive phone chargers plus extra storage space.

 

[MrRapp]

What’s the chance of the car still having a full touch rotary controller similar to Vision iNext?

 

[martinbo]

Looks curved to me:

Maybe we're missing each other, maybe I'm not seeing something...

I see two separate display screens in a common housing - not a single, continuous screen like this:

^ To my mind this is a curved screen.

I can't tell in the pic you show if the actual displays themselves are curved but, for certain, there are two separate units and the overall housing appears to have a "bend" in it between the two screens.

Hope I'm making sense...

 

[Centurion]

That there is no iDrive controller is as likely as you think...

I think BMW will follow Mercedes and Tesla by replacing the rotary dial with scroll wheels or joysticks on the steering wheel.

 

[David Brent]

To think that the hated UKL platform will debut some of the interior cues for future BMWs the sky is falling indeed, BMW have lost it,cant be right.

As has been said multiple times in this thread, the i4 is debuting the new interior.

 

[TomT]

I really really do not understand this screen trend. No designer in their right mind would solve it like this. If you want large screens make sure to INTEGRATE them in a nice dashboard design, you don't ADD ON with a bunch of screws.

 

[klier]

Hope I'm making sense...

Yes and you are correct.
But this likely is the El Cheapo version, and the more expensive option will hopefully be one continuous screen inside that curved bezel.

This 2er GT is the lowest and cheapest BMW, I am not expecting a giant curved screen here. Particularly not in a test car.

 

[MrRapp]

The first prototypes of the iNext also had basically two screens put together and not the production curved screen so am pretty sure this will change. As mentioned earlier, I am curious whether they will have a idrive controller similar to the one in Vision iNext which means you have a sort of touch controller on a flat surface where you can rotate and click with your hand.

 

[Centurion]

A continuous screen wouldn't make sense because a blind spot caused by the steering wheel and driver's hand when the wheel is held in the 13:50 position.

Furthermore two screens are cheaper than one. You can drive each by two different computers, minimising software issues caused by potentially running two different graphic intensive UIs in split screen.

 

[klier]

A continuous screen wouldn't make sense because a blind s...

It would not make sense if you had a neck and head incapable of moving a tiny bit.
What a weird point.

 

[Matski]

I really really do not understand this screen trend. No des...

It's a tough balance. With a larger display, at a sensible height, you could end up with a really bulky looking dashboard binnacle. It's why I'd prefer the screens just be separate, so the right information and right controls can be placed in the most suitable location, and integrated appropriately depending on where they sit.

The other thought I can't escape, is fitting this to the 2 series Active Tourer, almost inevitably means, that using screens is now the cheaper solution than the already "cost effective" solution found in the lower end Bimmers... Yet o doubt consumers will be seeing it as a premium feature.