The chameleon car currently has 32 fixed shades, but the authors of the technology claim that their number can be unlimited.
At the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW unveiled the X6 with Vantablack VBx2, a substance that absorbs more than 99 percent of visible light, creating the blackest black ever.
For CES 2022, the iX was covered in e-ink with millions of microcapsules about the thickness of a human hair. These pods were filled with negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black to create shades of gray to change the exterior of the electric SUV.
At CES 2023, BMW returns with the evolution of its E Ink. Shown on the i Vision Dee, the more advanced technology shows off 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 customizable body panels. The German luxury brand teamed up with E Ink to borrow its ePaper film and apply no fewer than 240 segments throughout the body of the concept car.
Not only the body can have a decoration that changes color. The wheels can also be covered in e-ink to make the i Vision Dee the automotive equivalent of a chameleon. BMW advertises that an ‘almost infinite variety of patterns’ is possible, and switching to a different trim is done in seconds. As shown in the official renderings, the Bavarians went to town to show off the tech.
BMW does not say anything about the prospects of introducing full-color E Ink to the production model. The Munich automaker truly has one of the most generous color palettes in the industry as its custom paint catalog continues to grow.
It used to be limited to high-end models, but now you can get fancy paint on even relatively affordable cars like the 1 Series Hatchback or 2 Series Gran Coupe. With the latest flagship sedan of the 7 Series, customers also have the option of two-tone paint, similar to Rolls-Royce models.
