At the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW presented the X6 with Vantablack VBx2 coating, a substance that absorbs more than 99 percent of visible light to create the deepest blacks. For CES 2022, the iX is coated with E Ink featuring millions of microcapsules the thickness of a human hair. The capsule is filled with negatively charged white pigment and positively charged black pigment to create shades of gray to change the appearance of the electric SUV’s exterior.
For CES 2023, BMW is back with its E Ink evolution. Demonstrated on the i Vision Dee, more advanced technology reveals its true colors, all 32 of them. It no longer just alternates between black and white as it now supports a full color version with individually configurable body panels. The luxury brand from Germany is working with E Ink to borrow its ePaper film and apply no less than 240 segments throughout the body of the concept.
It’s not just the body that can change color as the wheels can also be E Ink coated to make the i Vision Dee the car equivalent of a chameleon. BMW promotes that “almost limitless pattern variations” are possible and switching to a different finish is done in seconds. As shown in the official renderings, the Bavarians went to town to demonstrate the technology, reminiscent of Dodge’s 14-tone finish for the Challenger.
BMW has said nothing about the prospect of implementing full-color E Ink in production models. The Munich-based automaker does have one of the most generous color palettes in the industry as its catalog of individual paints continues to grow. It used to be limited to high-end models, but now you can get the luxury paint job even on low-end front-wheel drive cars like the 1 Series hatchback or 2 Series Gran Coupe. With the new 7 Series flagship sedan, customers also have the option of a two-tone paint finish similar to the Rolls-Royce model.
