BMW iX, one of the upcoming releases from the luxury automaker, will boast a grille that will serve a “digital role.” It is expected that such a design will give birth to the innovation of collision repair surfaces.
With the BMW iX, the grille will not function as a cooling system to the vehicle’s powertrain. Instead, it has repurposed the grille into an “intelligence panel.”
“Camera technology, radar functions and other sensors are integrated seamlessly into the grille behind a transparent surface,” said BMW in a written press release. Accordingly, the systems for heating and cleaning the sensors will be integrated on the front of the vehicle’s grille.
Of course, such a design is already impeccable for the purpose of collision repair. However, that’s not the end of the story yet. After all, it is BMW that we are talking about here.
“In order to guarantee the greatest possible precision when using the radar sensor mounted behind the kidney grille, a nanoscale vacuum-based coating process is employed in its manufacture,” BMW stated. This means that the grille itself has been manufactured in a way that it will remain durable and precise throughout the lifespan of the BMW iX.
BMW also unveiled some of the technical and aesthetic features that the grille will possess.
“Here, the two-color finish and visible 3D effect are produced by vaporization using laser technology and by a plasma-fired application technique in a vacuum. A combination of the laser-based method developed specially for production of the kidney grille on the iX and a precisely defined combination of material and layer thickness optimize radar performance.”
Perhaps, the best aspect of the grille is its self-healing capabilities. Based on the press release of BMW, the grille can “heal” itself if you just leave it alone. No need for a mechanic.
“An additional polyurethane coating reduces the kidney grille’s susceptibility to damage,” BMW disclosed. “The self-healing effect of its surface can repair minor scratches, for example – within 24 hours at room temperature or through a five-minute supply of warm air.”
BMW touted the grille as a type of “shy technology.” It is a feature that operates subtly so that they can stay in the vehicle unnoticed until such time you are going to use them.
Impressively, the grille is not the only “shy tech” present on the BMW iX. There is also a camera integrated into the black ring of the BMW logo on its tailgate. Aside from that, sensors are also equipped within the rear and front body edging of the vehicle. Furthermore, “the camera lens is cleaned automatically by a water spray system which extends from behind the surface of the roundel.”
If these features are not yet enough, keep in mind that the BMW iX will also flaunt futuristic body parts, making it a beacon for future-generation vehicles.
It will provide an optional panoramic glass roof, which BMW described as “the largest glass roof ever fitted in a model from the BMW Group.” Meanwhile, the top will be tailored with two laminated glass panels and three film layers–encased within a durable frame made from industrial-grade steel.
“This construction offers both optimum protection against ultraviolet rays and an excellent standard of acoustic comfort,” BMW said. “The upper glass panel’s triple silver low emittance coating is designed to maintain a comfortable cabin climate.”
