Designer BMW: Turn signals on the handlebars? ‘Absolutely not’

When BMW introduced the i Vision Dee, the predecessor of the Neue Klasse, at the beginning of 2023, all screens and buttons were missing from the car. Still, we don’t have to worry that the Bavarian brand will go as far as Tesla in removing buttons, says an Autovisie interview with chief designer Adrian van Hooydonk.

In contrast to the i Vision Dee, the new class models have an infotainment screen and buttons. They use BMW Panoramic Vision (projection just below the windshield).

New guidelines

Van Hooydonk says the upcoming Euro NCAP directive comes as no surprise to BMW.

“I think we are in the right place with Panoramic Vision. Since the information on the new BMWs is projected at the bottom of the window, you don’t have to take your eyes off the road for long. We make sure that our infotainment screens are positioned high in the car. This means you never have to look far down.”

Never put turn signals on the steering wheel of a BMW

But the new guidelines don’t just focus on the screen. In the future, the intuitive operation of functions that you need while driving will also be evaluated. Buttons are often more user-friendly than touchscreens and BMW has also started using fewer buttons in recent years.

According to Van Hooydonk, with the introduction of smarter cars, fewer buttons will be needed. “But we will never remove all the buttons in the interior. There are many functions for which a physical button is better suited.” To the question: So we will never find the turn signal buttons on the steering wheel? The BMW designer answers: “No, definitely not.”