By Vivek Dubey
CNBC-TV18.com
Published Mar 06, 2024
BMW unveils the i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, a tech-filled remake of its 12th art car, featuring electronically animated panels.
South African artist Esther Mahlangu, who first painted a BMW in 1991, returns to design the new i5’s tribal pattern.
Mahlangu’s signature colours and geometric patterns are displayed on 1,349 sections of E Ink film on the i5.
The sections of E Ink film allow Mahlangu’s designs to be electronically animated, bringing her art to life.
BMW has been developing this colour changing technology, first introduced with the iX Flow in 2022.
The technology, similar to that in an e-book reader, has been developed to allow for colour changes when an electric current is applied.
The panels are now more robust, which could make potential future series production easier, says BMW.
88-year-old Mahlangu finds it fascinating how modern technology can expand her art and make it accessible to a new audience.
Each section of film on the car can be individually controlled, allowing for unique animations.
The animations are accompanied by a new soundtrack composed by Renzo Vitale, BMW’s creative director for sound.
The i5 Flow Nostokana is a one-off project featuring electronically animated panels with a South African tribal pattern.
Mahlangu worked with Stella Clarke of BMW Group, to integrate her tribal pattern design onto the animated panels of the i5 electric sedan.