Given the advancement of technology, it shouldn’t be surprising that an automaker has designed a car that can change colors using an app. BMW‘s announcement will be intriguing for those who like a bit of variety in their lives. Here are the details on BMW‘s latest innovation and its upcoming releases.

A revolutionary automaker

BMW has always been an industry leader. Whether they unveil a rugged new design or an innovation, BMW has enjoyed great success because they are proactive and take chances. Given the automaker’s outstanding achievements, it would seem that its tendency toward the avant-garde pays off.

Reuters reported that BMW sold its one-millionth electric vehicle (EV) in December. According to BMW board member Pieter Nota, that number included all-electric and hybrid vehicles, with about 70% of those EVs being hybrids. Its goal now is to sell two million all-electric vehicles by 2025. Nota also explained that he thinks hybrid vehicles will continue to have a vital role, especially for those with limited access to chargers.

BMW isn’t just focused on the transition to electric. It has always supported investing in a broad range of technologies, and they don’t support a total ban on gas-powered vehicles. It has set a goal of having 50% of all cars sold worldwide be all-electric by 2030. 

BMW’s color-changing car

Earlier in January, at the CES consumer electronics show, BMW unveiled its new magic paint on a 2022 iX electric SUV model. While it won’t appear in a BMW dealership any time soon, the new iX Flow uses the same screen technology found in many e-reading devices.

At this point, the technology is “just for research and demonstration purposes,” according to Kelley Blue Book.

In a statement, BMW explained that the iX Flow’s surface coating features E Ink. E Ink is composed of millions of microcapsules, each having the diameter equivalent of a single strand of human hair. There are negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments in each of these microcapsules. 

Subject to the setting used, the white and black pigments, manipulated by an electrical field, collect at the surface of the microcapsule to give the vehicle the desired shade. At this point, the system can only create grayscale colors. While drivers could select either black, gray, or white color choices, changes in the electrical charge of select surface areas could offer patterns to include moving patterns.

The color change has practical applications too. In hot weather conditions, white could reflect the sun’s rays and keep the interior cooler. A darker shade would absorb more heat for a warmer car in colder climates.

Coming soon from BMW

While we won’t be getting the iX Flow right now, BMW has some tremendous new all-electric vehicles heading our way shortly, according to Car and Driver.

The BMW i4 is expected earlier in 2022. Unlike the i3 and i8, the i4 offers more traditional styling and is similar to the 4-series Gran Coupe four-door hatchback. The i4 has a rear-wheel-drive configuration powered by an electric motor with a 335 hp output and an 81.5-kWh battery pack. BMW says it can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and has a 300-mile driving range.

In early 2022, we’ll also see the iX. The iX promises to be an SUV with a 300-mile range and a power output of 516 horsepower. It’s similar in size to the current X5 and is standard all-wheel drive. BMW also says the iX will support DC fast-charging up to 200 kW.

The i7 isn’t expected until 2023. The electrified version of the next-generation 7-series sedan will compete with the Mercedes EQS and other big luxury EV peers. While BMW has given a preview of its exterior shape with photos of a prototype model, it won’t debut until later this year.