Here comes BMW i Vision Circular, an electrifying recyclable city car

 

BMW holds no one in doubt in its vision of attaining an enviable status of the world’s most sustainable premium automaker as it reveals the astonishing features of its first recyclable electric city car, i Vision Circular.

The sight of BMW i Vision Circular, a new concept car, is simply electrifying. BMW says the car is a little urban ‘runabout’ that is not only made from reusable materials, but also 100 per cent recyclable.

For instance, it notes in a statement that the all-solid-state battery powering the concept “is 100 per cent recyclable and manufactured almost entirely using materials sourced from the recycling loop.”

It adds, “The i Vision Circular represents the BMW Group’s project to become the most sustainable manufacturer for individual premium mobility. Through the entire process of design, development and manufacture, the vision vehicle is conceived in line with the principles of the circular economy.

“The creative vision shows a view of a compact, fully electric vehicle with a focus on sustainability and luxury.”

The vehicle doesn’t use paint, leather, chrome or any of the other things normally associated with new cars.

Beyond that, BMW says the Vision Circular “avoids bonded connections or composite materials and uses intelligent types of connection, such as cords, press studs and quick-release fasteners.”

This means a lot of the car’s parts are easily detachable and replaceable, and BMW says many of the vehicle’s components have quick-release fasteners or can be “dismantled with just a single tool.”

BMW also says the Vision Circular concept is imagined for the year 2040.

The bluish purple rear end comes from the heat treatment process used on the metal.

As a concept car, it is seen as a big step forward in terms of design.

BMW’s iconic (and lately enlarged) front kidneys are re-imagined as digital surfaces that can display different light patterns, says Roadshow.

BMW’s logo is actually engraved onto the front of the Vision Concept and the car’s name is laser-etched into the body.

BMW says the concept is made largely of gold anodized recycled aluminum and the bluish purple color at the rear is “created by the heat treatment process used for the steel.”

It also states that the Vision Circular concept is about 13 feet long but has a “generous” amount of interior space.

The cabin materials are largely 3D printed and “any surplus material will be systematically fed back into the materials cycle.”

The huge windshield slopes up into a glass roof and the seat upholstery is made from recycled plastic. BMW calls the “joyful fusion” quick-release fastener on the seat backs.