Concept Cars and Vision Models

Concept Cars and Vision Models brings together BMW’s most forward-looking concept cars and vision models, through which the marque has, in different eras, presented its design thinking, technological ambitions and possible future directions. These cars were not created according to the usual logic of series production, but rather to explore new forms, powertrains, materials and ideas of mobility. It is through such models that BMW has been able to express ideas more freely — ideas that were sometimes ahead of their time or pointed toward the next major stage in the development of the brand.

The models in this category show very clearly how BMW has linked futuristic design and technical experimentation with its core identity. Some concept cars became direct forerunners of later production models, while others remained unique visions whose purpose was to inspire discussion and demonstrate new possibilities. This category includes both earlier radically styled concept cars and later vision models focused on electric mobility, aerodynamics and sustainability. Through them, it becomes possible to see how BMW has interpreted the future across different decades.

This page presents models such as the Turbo X1, Vision EfficientDynamics and Vision Next 100, which together provide a strong overview of the breadth of BMW’s world of ideas. Taken together, these cars form a very important part of the marque’s story, because it is through concept cars that BMW has been able to test the limits — some of which later reached production models, while others remained inspiring and bold visions in their own right.

Click on the model image or name to open the gallery and description

Bayer K 67

Background Bayer K 67 belongs to the group of experimental cars from the 1960s that were created to explore what the car of the future might look like and which new materials could be used in automotive production. The origins of the project date back to 1963–1964, when BMW board member Paul G. Hahnemann and Bayer …

BMW Turbo X1 (E25)

Background BMW Turbo X1 (E25), more commonly known simply as the BMW Turbo, is one of the most important concept cars in BMW history. Presented in 1972, the futuristic sports car was BMW’s first official concept car. Its purpose was not only to demonstrate the design of a future sports car, but also to explore new …

BMW M1 Hommage

Background BMW M1 Hommage was presented in 2008 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este to mark 30 years since the debut of the legendary BMW M1. It was not intended as a prototype for a future production model, but as a design study created by BMW Group Design to explore how the legacy of one …

BMW Vision Next 100

Background BMW Vision Next 100 was presented on 7 March 2016 in Munich as part of BMW Group’s 100th anniversary celebrations and became one of the central future visions of the company’s centenary year. The car was not intended to preview a specific future production model, but rather to show how BMW imagined premium individual …

BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics

Background BMW Vision EfficientDynamics was presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and became one of BMW’s most important concept cars of the 21st century. The aim of the project was to demonstrate that sports-car performance, very low fuel consumption and an electrified powertrain did not have to be conflicting goals. BMW wanted to combine …