BMW Debuts Color-Changing Paint on the iX

As BMW continues to explore the world of electrification, it also aims to completely change the way we look at cars, as shown by the color-changing paint that was recently debuted on its iX.

Following on from the unveiling of its top-of-the-range iX M60 and the iX xDrive 50 that came early last year, BMW continues to push its EVs to be some of the best in the field. The iX already features speakers that have diamonds in them, but now it is exploring color-changing paint.

According to a press release, the body of the car uses electrophoretic technology called E Ink that can change shades at the user’s prompt. When stimulated by electrical signals, the specially-developed body wrap brings different pigments to the surface, leading to a color change.

“Digital experiences won’t just be limited to displays in the future,” said Frank Weber, a member of the board of management at BMW AG. “There will be more and more melding of the real and virtual. With the BMW iX Flow, we are bringing the car body to life.”

The company calls the technology “extremely energy efficient” and says it requires no energy to keep the chosen color state constant. “Current only flows during the short color-changing phase,” it explains.

@Out_of_Spec, the account for the automotive content site Out of Spec Studios, posted a video of the color-change in action to Twitter. Starting off as gray, the car’s panels seemingly flip almost instantly to solid white, before going on to show how each panel can change slower and create a gradient effect.

This color changing @BMWUSA #iX is wild! It’s apparently very temperature sensitive so they have a backup in a trailer in case this one gets too hot / cold pic.twitter.com/lXG1Gw0IKY

— Out of Spec Studios (@Out_of_Spec) January 4, 2022

Elsewhere in the automotive world, MANHART has gotten its hands on the BMW M8 Competition.