BMW Lifts the Curtain on Its Future Design: Fewer Buttons, More AI, and a New Philosophy

BMW has offered a closer look at how artificial intelligence, new interface concepts, and a refreshed design philosophy are shaping the next generation of its Neue Klasse vehicles.

During a briefing in California, Adrian van Hooydonk, the head of BMW Group Design, and Julia De Bono, who leads Designworks, walked through the major changes coming to the brand’s 2026 models.

One of the key takeaways: physical buttons aren’t going away entirely. Van Hooydonk noted that removing all tactile controls simply isn’t practical when it comes to comfort and safety. The company’s Panoramic Vision display will separate essential driving data from customizable user widgets, creating a clearer and more intuitive layout.

BMW also confirmed that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will remain fully supported. At the same time, the automaker is continuing to develop its own system, which is more tightly integrated with EV-specific features and functions.

Artificial intelligence plays a growing role behind the scenes. BMW trains its own AI models on the work of in-house designers, allowing teams to generate sketches and 3D scenes far more quickly. Down the line, these tools may even help engineering groups assess how difficult certain shapes or surfaces will be to manufacture.

Despite experimenting with new digital tools, BMW has no plans to return to retro styling. Instead, the brand is leaning into a modern design language influenced by — but not dictated by — its heritage.