BMW has always been at the forefront of innovation and design, both in its cars and cultural engagement. The BMW Art Car series, which started in 1975, is a testament to the company鈥檚 vision of combining art and technology in unique and creative ways. Over the years, BMW has collaborated with some of the most renowned artists in the world, such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney, and Jeff Koons, to transform its vehicles into moving artworks.
The latest addition to the BMW Art Car series is the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, a one-of-a-kind electric sedan that pays homage to the 12th BMW Art Car, the 1991 BMW 525i E34 designed by South African artist Esther Mahlangu. Mahlangu, who is currently the subject of a major retrospective at the Iziko South African Museum, was the first woman and African artist to work on an official BMW Art Car. She used her traditional Ndebele painting technique to adorn the car with colorful geometric patterns that reflect her culture and identity.
Inspiration
The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, which is named after Mahlangu鈥檚 first son, takes inspiration from her artistic language and updates it with the latest color-change technology developed by BMW in cooperation with E Ink. The car features sections of film that can be electronically animated, with two strips each across the roof, hood, sides, and rear. Like an e-book reader, there are several million microcapsules in each E Ink film. These microcapsules contain color particles that can change their structure when an electric voltage is applied, creating different shades of white, gray, and black.
The result is a dynamic and interactive exterior that can display various patterns and animations depending on the driver鈥檚 mood, the environment, or the occasion. The car can also communicate with its surroundings, such as pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers, by showing messages or symbols on its body. For example, the car can display a smiley face to greet someone, a warning sign to alert of a hazard or a thank you note to express gratitude.
Exterior
The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is not only a stunning visual spectacle but also a technological marvel. The car is based on the eighth-generation BMW i5, the first all-electric 5 Series model, which combines performance, efficiency, and luxury. The car has a range of up to 375 miles on a single charge, thanks to its 113 kWh battery pack. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. The car also features a host of advanced driver assistance systems, such as:
- adaptive cruise control
- lane keeping assist
- blind spot detection
- parking assist
Interior
The car鈥檚 interior is equally impressive, with a spacious and comfortable cabin that offers high customization and personalization. The car has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, both powered by the BMW Operating System 8. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and voice and gesture control. The car also has a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, a Harman Kardon sound system, and a wireless charging pad. The seats are upholstered in leather, and the dashboard and door panels are trimmed in wood.
The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is a car that will inspire and delight anyone who sees it, and will leave a lasting impression on the history of art and automotive design. It is a car that proves that art and innovation can go hand in hand and that BMW is always ahead of the curve. It is a car that is a nod to the past, a reflection of the present, and a vision of the future. It is a car that is a flow of colors, a flow of emotions, a flow of ideas. It is a car that is a flow of art.
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