Introducing the all-new BMW iDrive 8

[paquet]

Originally Posted by InsideDK

at least BMW still have the rotating knob for navigating the infotainment system. With Audi you can ONLY navigate using touch.

That is for me much more important that a climate button.

I didn't know that Audi got rid of the rotating knob.
The rotating knob seems to be a common feature in cars now as it's one of those movements that is quite intuitive - saw it most recently on a Mazda. Very similar to idrive with buttons all around the controller

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by Jcali86

I'm pretty sure this is exactly how it's going to look. People need to get off Elon's d*ck and stop ruining cars with these awful iPad dash's

I wholeheartedly agree with this point. But I argue that the reason they are following the tesla design is because it is cheap to source and the design/development time is reduced. Bmw and others see cost savings.

[KroLeXz]

I embrace BMW moving forward into a new era. I don't BMW to be associated with old school or lagging behind innovation. I know this likely rubs some folks the wrong way, stop being a boomer ;p

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

I've owned only BMWs for the last 15 years but this is terrible, do not want.

Even Audi and Mercedes are moving back from screen and flat buttons for common items to physical buttons and switches. BMW is YEARS behind the industry in realizing that people want tactile physical buttons for some things and screens for others. The true golden goose is having a set of programable buttons and dials that people can use or not use for whatever they want. BMW already owns the patent for it which is why no one else has copied it ... and they're basically throwing that away for touch screen climate controls. Welcome to 2010 BMW, you're years behind the curve.

Someone on YouTube comments said it best, "is this a fashion interface for makeup?"

Audi's latest interior:

That's the A3 interior. All their higher spec vehicles use the dual screens for infotainment and HVAC with no buttons. Also I keep hearing people talk about MB but all of their interiors use a setup similar to ID8 and they haven't moved away from it.

[Skeewiff03]

Originally Posted by KroLeXz

I embrace BMW moving forward into a new era. I don't BMW to be associated with old school or lagging behind innovation. I know this likely rubs some folks the wrong way, stop being a boomer ;p

I agree with moving forward and hence was really glad with the g20/g05 design, i even love the backward tachometer. But these were well thought and well integrated into the dash.
This long screen, at least in images looks bad, as well as the most of the widgets on the screen take up vertical space without actually showing anything of value

[OM3RTA]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

That's the A3 interior. All their higher spec vehicles use the dual screens for infotainment and HVAC with no buttons. Also I keep hearing people talk about MB but all of their interiors use a setup similar to ID8 and they haven't moved away from it.

That's not the A3 the image is of the E-Tron interior. Only that has the new MMI screen and HVAC buttons currently.

[Msparta]

Totally loving the new approach and ui! When will this make it's way to the non ugly grill M cars?

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

That's the A3 interior. All their higher spec vehicles use the dual screens for infotainment and HVAC with no buttons. Also I keep hearing people talk about MB but all of their interiors use a setup similar to ID8 and they haven't moved away from it.

That's the E-Tron GT interior.

[InsideDK]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

That's the A3 interior. All their higher spec vehicles use the dual screens for infotainment and HVAC with no buttons. Also I keep hearing people talk about MB but all of their interiors use a setup similar to ID8 and they haven't moved away from it.

you can even see the e-tron logo over the glovebox. This is the new interior for the e-tron GT.

[Staszek]

Originally Posted by KroLeXz

I embrace BMW moving forward into a new era. I don't BMW to be associated with old school or lagging behind innovation. I know this likely rubs some folks the wrong way, stop being a boomer ;p

More touch screens are not innovative they are lazy. More screens with more customization, all for that.

Innovation would be to make the access to commonly used items faster without me having to look for it.

My 750 climate control has touch screens for the Heated and cooled seats, they are so close together I can never hit the right one without looking and if you hit it just right they both turn on at the same time.

The future would be instantaneous voice control not touch. But its still too slow at this point. You have to ask it, it thinks then changes. I can push a steering wheel button for volume or turn a knob for climate control faster and my eyes never leave the road.

I am a tech guy (sometimes bleeding edge so) but tech also needs to function in the environment its meant for. Full on touch is nice for self driving cars which for me defeats the fun of driving.

I will have a hard time if they remove the idrive knob, and its buttons, its so fast and easy to access, having touch as a backup is nice but it's never my first choice. My 7 has all 4, voice, touch, gesture, and the idrive/steering wheel knob. 99% of the time I am using the steering wheel knob and buttons because its the most intuitive, fastest and safest route. Voice is at least better at calling people. Still not great for Navigation.

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

That's the A3 interior. All their higher spec vehicles use the dual screens for infotainment and HVAC with no buttons. Also I keep hearing people talk about MB but all of their interiors use a setup similar to ID8 and they haven't moved away from it.

That's literally the interior of Audi RS e-Tron GT, their latest, highest spec vehicle. Audi is phasing out dual screens and is moving to physical climate control buttons in future models.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by Zadjali

7 Years behind Mercedes-Benz & Audi!

In 2028 BMW will introduce Vertical infotainment display that when Mercedes-Benz will introduces Hologram Infotainment System in the new S-Class

I find iDrive to be better implemented overall if not as busy as either Audi's or Mercedes. iDrive is a reason I'll stick with BMW going forward. It's my favorite system.

[Analyst1899]

Originally Posted by packet

Ugh when did round become a dirty word in design?
what kind of psychedelic drugs are these designers on?

The iDrive 8 technology looks awesome - however, the graphics they have chosen to use for conveying information to the driver is horrible. Unfortunately, BMW has opted for style over substance - they have chosen StarTrek design graphics over display graphics that quickly convey usable information. There is a reason that round dials (circular dials) have been so popular - they rapidly (instantly) convey the information to the viewer - be it fuel levels, oil pressure/temperature, engine speed or vehicle speed. They provide the information in a form that does not require the eye to decipher what it sees - simply viewing the angle of the gage needle does that. It's no different than reading the time of day on a digital versus an analog clock display. The digital display requires that I must read each number in the time display, then translate those numbers into a meaningful time of day. The analog display gives me the information about time of day instantly by simply by glancing at the two hands - the angle of the hands provides the information I need without having to read anything. BMW- wake up and AT LEAST give the driver the chance to select (to choose) a conventional round-dial display of speed (and other vehicle parameters). The round displays can and should be digital - just don't limit the selection of gage types to the fancy geometric designs you have shown us so far.

[RPM33]

Originally Posted by Staszek

More touch screens are not innovative they are lazy. More screens with more customization, all for that.

Innovation would be to make the access to commonly used items faster without me having to look for it.

My 750 climate control has touch screens for the Heated and cooled seats, they are so close together I can never hit the right one without looking and if you hit it just right they both turn on at the same time.

The future would be instantaneous voice control not touch. But its still too slow at this point. You have to ask it, it thinks then changes. I can push a steering wheel button for volume or turn a knob for climate control faster and my eyes never leave the road.

I am a tech guy (sometimes bleeding edge so) but tech also needs to function in the environment its meant for. Full on touch is nice for self driving cars which for me defeats the fun of driving.

I will have a hard time if they remove the idrive knob, and its buttons, its so fast and easy to access, having touch as a backup is nice but it's never my first choice. My 7 has all 4, voice, touch, gesture, and the idrive/steering wheel knob. 99% of the time I am using the steering wheel knob and buttons because its the most intuitive, fastest and safest route. Voice is at least better at calling people. Still not great for Navigation.

There should be two versions of iDrive 8: One with buttons and this version. This double screen looks cheesy as the technology probably won’t age well.

[Biggie335]

Maybe I'm reaching - but I'm hoping the final version of iDrive8 which makes it on to the LCI G20 and the new 5 series is a more integrated version without the screens sticking out on both sides - and with some basic knobs for temp and sound to go with the dual screens.

If we can all pretty much agree the dual screen looks ugly and an afterthought - then I'm sure BMW would have gotten the same feedback from their pilot / market test teams.

We should find out by Spring next year when more pictures come to light - but if things stand as they do today and the screens look like they do in the demo pictures - I'll pass, thanks.

Back to Audi !