Introduction
Throughout its illustrious history, BMW has been renowned not only for its superior engineering and performance but also for its distinctive interior design. As BMW is set to launch its Neue Klasse iX3 later this year, it is the perfect time to look back at the evolution of BMW’s interior design from the 1960s to the future.
1960s: Laying the Foundation
In the 1960s, BMW laid the foundation for its interior design. The early sedans featured a dashboard that stretched across the car. By the end of the decade, BMW adopted a setup similar to the 2000C coupe’s—paving the way for future designs.
1970s: The Driver Takes Center Stage
The 1970s marked a significant shift in BMW’s design philosophy. The interiors started to reflect that the driver was the most important person upfront. For instance, the E12 5-series introduced in 1972 had a console square to the dash, and the E21 3-series had its upper console angled towards the driver.
1980s: Refinement and Familiarity
The angled console theme continued in the 1980s and 1990s resulting in some of BMW’s best-loved interiors. The dashboards of the E30 3-Series, E34 5-Series, and E-32 7-Series still look surprisingly modern.
1990s: Peak Analog BMW?
The 1990s saw BMW experimenting with different interior designs. However, the E46 3-Series, which returned to more familiar territory, is considered by many fans to be the best German brand’s interior design.
2000s: Enter the iDrive Era
The 2000s marked the beginning of the iDrive era. BMW introduced the 2002 E65 7-Series and its iDrive controller, promising a futuristic dashboard but also a more complicated operating system.
2010s: Screens Take Over
The 2010s saw an increasing emphasis on infotainment screens, now mounted on top of the dashboard in most models. It also meant the return of the console angled toward the driver in the F30 3-Series.
2020s: The Digital Revolution
In the 2020s, BMW interiors underwent a radical overhaul with the launch of iDrive 8.0 in the new electric iX. The SUV featured a huge curved display that fused the gauge pack and center touchscreen under one pane of glass.
2026 and Beyond: A Neue Klasse Screen Like No Other
The future of BMW interior design is set to be even more innovative with the launch of the 2026 Neue Klasse iX3. It’s going to feature something called Panoramic iDrive, a massive head-up display panel running across the base of the windshield.
Conclusion
BMW has consistently pushed the boundaries of interior design, adapting to new technologies and user preferences while maintaining its signature style. As we look forward to the future, we can only expect BMW to continue this tradition of innovation and excellence.
