The iNEXT interior bristles with tomorrow's technologies, but much of the tech remains camouflaged — a concept BMW refers to as "shy tech." For instance, rear-seat passengers can control media with finger movements on the fabric of the seat. Light-emitting diodes in the tapestry-like weave trace the movement, recognizing the symbol, and relay instructions to the onboard computer to play a song list.
The center armrest, with a matte wood panel and slim bronze feet, resembles a coffee table. But the wood panel can function as a control panel.
Unlike some concept vehicles, BMW eschewed the lounge-seating layout for autonomous driving mode, believing that rotating front seats is complex and can pose safety issues. Instead, the iNEXT front seat head restraint can be folded back, allowing people in the front to more easily communicate with the passengers in the rear.
The layout has two driving modes. In the "Boost" mode, the steering wheel and displays are positioned toward the driver. When the "Ease" mode is engaged, the steering wheel retracts slightly and the brake and accelerator peddles retreat into the floorboard.
"As technology becomes more complicated, we want the user interface to become simpler, more user-friendly and intuitive," van Hooydonk said. "We want the technology only to be visible when you need it, when you want it."