The new BMW iX3 brings a significant twist to the way screens are used in cars. While many manufacturers are pushing ever larger and more dominant displays, BMW has opted for a different approach as the emphasis is on visibility, ergonomics and practical use.
At the center of the system is the so-called Panoramic iDrive, which combines a central 17.9-inch screen and an additional “Panoramic Vision” display as wide as 43 inches, located along the lower edge of the windshield. This arrangement allows key information to be directly in the driver’s field of vision, without the need to look away.
BMW iX3 Panoramic iDrive changes the way the screen is used
A particularly interesting detail is the shape of the central screen. Instead of the classic rectangular panel, BMW uses a parallelogram, which achieves better accessibility for the driver and passenger. The lower right part is closer to the passenger, while the upper left part is more easily accessible to the driver, which represents a thoughtful ergonomic solution.
The display quality is at a high level, with a resolution of 3340 x 1440 pixels and an improved operating system based on the iDrive platform. The interface is logical and intuitive, and after a short getting used to it, using it becomes completely natural.
The biggest impression, however, is the Panoramic Vision screen. Basic information such as speed, range and driving mode are located directly in front of the driver, while the rest of the space can be filled with customizable widgets – from music and weather forecast to detailed technical data such as battery temperature or steering wheel angle.
An additional advantage of this system is safety. Since the information is projected closer to the line of sight, the driver takes his eyes off the road less. There is also a mode that reduces the amount of displayed information, which is especially useful during night driving.
The only weakness of the system appears when using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, where the content is not displayed across the entire screen, but in a limited rectangular frame, which spoils the visual impression.
Although it lacks the physical controls that were once the trademark of the BMW iDrive system, the new Panoramic iDrive is a big step forward. With this approach, BMW shows that innovation does not have to mean only bigger screens, but also a smarter solution that improves the everyday driving experience, reports InsideEV.