[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by Matt 335is

Here is a clearer image of the latest spy shot.

That lower headlight integration looks like it might be pretty promising. Have a feeling a lot of us will be tinting them to get the real intended look when they're off...

[Matt 335is]

Originally Posted by BMWSCOTT11

It should be a combo of easy to sue buttons and touch screens as is now.

Agree to disagree. I feel like the i4 interior layout in that picture is a great combo of easy to use buttons and touch screen.

With the buttons and scroll wheel on the center console, along with voice control when needed, it looks like an improvement over what's currently offered.

Completely understand if you personally need more buttons, but I don't.

[Matt 335is]

Originally Posted by unfoundnemo

That lower headlight integration looks like it might be pretty promising. Have a feeling a lot of us will be tinting them to get the real intended look when they're off...

Yep, this is the picture that did it for me. I'll admit, I was a tiny bit worried about how it may turn out, but I have no concerns about the exterior and split headlights anymore. It's going to look like a beast, in a good way ha, can't wait!

[SSM5]

I had a chance to try it on the Ix when they had them at the grove a few months ago. The new system works great and looks fantastic. The colors and graphics are so clear. Huge improvement over the current dash.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by Young04

My wife has an i4 on order and, in all likelihood, we will get the LCI X7 so I know I am stuck with the new ID 8 system. However, I will really lament the loss of the shortcut buttons. I use them a lot on our current X7 and X3M.

There is still some hope that the hybrid and ice model implementation of idrive 8 will still have many of the existing hard buttons.

The only versions of idrive 8 that have been seen to date are full evs.

The xm concept interior has both idrive 8 with the two large panel screens AND hard buttons for climate, etc.

On a full ev the touchscreen only experience is part of the tech forward experience (you can thank Tesla for that). So it would be logical they feature the most extreme implementation.

I expect the new 7 will be the first non-ev to debut with idrive 8 and show the way in regard to this question. Otherwise the lci 3 could be released before the x7 lci.

[Mobydic]

Originally Posted by BMWSCOTT11

Yeah these car manufacturers forget that we're actually driving a motor vehicle and the buttons make it easier to navigate through the various items. It should be a combo of easy to sue buttons and touch screens as is now.

Touch screens are great for iPads and phones when stationary but having to navigate though touch screen menus while also trying to safely drive gets distracting which is lost on the auto manufacturers

had the GLS and the wife hated the infotainment.. funny thing is she got the car because she likes the interior and infotainment layout but when came to using it she almost had a few accidents lol

[jphcbpa]

found a low mileage certified 2020, very loaded with dhp and b&w sound etc. that I almost pulled the trigger on but knowing the 23 refresh details are around the corner, I backed out. I need to know more about the LCI changes vs the outgoing model to feel good about buying one.

[Young04]

There are new spy shots available (Alpina). These have a few with the headlights on.

https://www.motor1.com/news/568212/a...xb7-spy-shots/

[Al Pinã]

I just threw up in my mouth a little…

I'll be eating a shit-ton of crow on these forums as I swore up and down those bottom headlights were dummy lights made to throw off the general public (and scab ass copycat car designers like Ford & Kia).

[Matt 335is]

Originally Posted by Al Pinã

I just threw up in my mouth a little…

I'll be eating a shit-ton of crow on these forums as I swore up and down those bottom headlights were dummy lights made to throw off the general public (and scab ass copycat car designers like Ford & Kia).

LOL looks like crow for you.

I could be wrong but didn't BMW make a statement that all premium models(i.e. 7/X7 and above) will get split headlights moving forward.

I'd be disappointed if the X7 wasn't getting them. Looks like that's all but 100% confirmed now.

[dmanb2b]

Anyone see the x5 spy photos? LOL... Sad really...BMW used to have character with their original designs. Despite being controversial they did that with the first iteration of the X7 and now with the G80, but this LCI refresh is just chasing "has-beens".

[bradythedog12]

Super glad we have our 2020 m50!!

[xlover]

Originally Posted by Al Pin　

I just threw up in my mouth a little…

I'll be eating a shit-ton of crow on these forums as I swore up and down those bottom headlights were dummy lights made to throw off the general public (and scab ass copycat car designers like Ford & Kia).

BMW stated in the XM press launch that the split design would be featured on their premium vehicle lines (7, x7, xm) to set them apart.

The goal is the headlights to be blended inconspicuously into the bumper design and just serve the functional purpose of lighting the road at night.
The drls/turn signals will live separately and this change will allow for more interesting/complex designs of the drls

I think it definitely works on the XM concept, how it is pulled off on production cars will depend on a number of factors but most importantly how dark the lenses can be tinted and how embedded into the overall design they are. This is an instance where the camo really gives no clue to the finished effect because the wrap pattern is clearly offset by the headlight lenses making the headlights stand out even more

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by Young04

There are new spy shots available (Alpina). These have a few with the headlights on.

https://www.motor1.com/news/568212/a...xb7-spy-shots/

I saw those a while ago and was more concerned than this newer one. The newer one either dropped some more camo, there's more exposure, or this is the m-sport design and just allows for a better integration.

[Mobydic]

Originally Posted by Young04

There are new spy shots available (Alpina). These have a few with the headlights on.

https://www.motor1.com/news/568212/a...xb7-spy-shots/

Oh dam I preferred the look of the actual render image of the split head light. Waiting to see the product with out camo

[toddwalton]

Drove through the BMW USA Corporate Headquarters today, saw several camouflaged vehicles, no X7. Will continue my spy missions and post photos if successful. Have boxcutter handy if opportunity presents.

[Mobydic]

The shapes look very similar hmm

[mitch57]

I will not be buying any more BMWs if they continue down the path of no buttons and knobs.

Doing away with knobs and buttons is a recipe for disaster when driving. Taking your eyes off of the road to navigate through several screens to adjust simple things like turning up the heat or changing a radio station does not equate to safe and intuitive controls while driving. Voice control is better but still not reliable due to many factors including accents.

Any time you have to take your eyes off the road to scroll, swipe, click and tap just to change simple things like turning up the heat is just as bad as being distracted by your cell phone.

I think younger generations have grown up from infancy with touch screens years before they learn how to drive. Therefore, touch screens are pretty much all they know. However, in cars, this is just another major distraction from driving.

This is already a major topic with auto safety and distracted driving. There really is nothing more intuitive and tactical than buttons, knobs, and sliders.

It really is pretty simple to me. If you have to take your eyes off of the road for more than a fraction of a second to adjust the heat or change the radio station you've increased your chances of having an accident exponentially.

Simply put, the problem with touch screens is unlike radio presets or your AC button, your brain can't automatically map to them. The third time you drive your Aunt Edna's Cadillac, you know where the volume button is and that the preset number one is smooth jazz. But with a touch screen, you always have to look down.

[Al Pinã]

Many are complaining now about the Mercedes giant tablet thingy as it is highly distracting during night driving. There's essentially no way to turn it off so your eyes end up getting fatigued and it makes it harder to concentrate.

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Originally Posted by Al Pin　

Many are complaining now about the Mercedes giant tablet thingy as it is highly distracting during night driving. There's essentially no way to turn it off so your eyes end up getting fatigued and it makes it harder to concentrate.

I hated my Tesla for that exact reason. No way to stay focused on the road.
If cars were fully autonomous and safely driving themselves, then maybe yes! But during this interim phase it's just not safe!

[MystroX5]

In the top tier luxury car market, no one "needs" to buy at this level and if the luxury automakers cant deliver a product more than a digital appliance, I will buy elsewhere. I dont just hand over my money out of brand loyalty. My $150k will buy down market for 1/3 the price if I want a disposable cell phone interior. I am their demographic on many levels so unless they just want to lease their aspirational entry level vehicles and abandon their upper tier core buyers, BMW better stay focused on what made their reputation because it sure wasn't "tech".

[Al Pinã]

Was talking to my friend last night after checking out the Merc EQS and it's ginormous screen; why not go the 2015ish Audi route and make it so the screen will retract away when you don't need it?

I know it's a bit more engineering involved, but for all the money they're now saving by plopping cheap ass lcd screens in place of mechanical gauges and switchgear it shouldn't be an issue.

Also really looking forward to the time when the super ultra thin folding led screens make their way into the automotive world.