The BMW Podcast | Changing Lanes

We’re back – and more refreshed than ever! No, we haven’t been treating ourselves to a beach vacation or a road trip. In fact, we have used the time to make some changes, because change is progress. Ready for a new interview series like nothing you’ve seen before on this channel? Ready for some new sounds, new inspirations, new topics, and a new host? Then climb aboard! THIS IS FORWARDISM is our s...

The BMW i Vision Circular is more than just one of the five concept cars BMW presented at last year’s IAA in Munich: It is a work of art both inside and out. A number of creative minds at BMW pooled their expertise, passion and creativity to bring about this masterpiece. They have created the BMW i Vision Circular – the automobile of the future. Today, we want to learn all there is to know about t...

Ready for an episode that will fill you with courage and energy? Then you’re in the right place! These two women have confidence in the future: Ilka Horstmeier – Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Human Resources, and Labour Relations Director – and Kate Robertson, Co-Founder of One Young World. Our host Nicki met with these inspiring change-makers in London and talked wi...

From Sports Activity Coupes inspired by Malibu Beach to futuristic four-door models. These have all been made a reality – or were nearly made a reality. Can’t picture them? Just wait. Today, we’re going to present the BMW Concept Cars that you need to know. The archives of BMW Classic are full of little-known concept cars that all play their own important role in the design and technology history...

As with so many discoveries, it all started with a trip: a backpacking trip—through India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Since then, photographer Steve McCurry has been portraying and documenting life on our planet. His art is both fascinating and touching. The most diverse countries of this world have already passed in front of his lens. He has received countless prizes and awards for his work in rec...

We have a brief history lesson for you today, but don’t worry: We won't be giving you any grades or homework. Find out how BMW is breaking new ground with the Neue Klasse and how close the past and the future can be to one another. This episode is sure to make any true BMW fan nostalgic. The BMW Neue Klasse was a turning point, a risk and, above all, a success story. So, books out, and off you go!...

Welcome to the future! In this episode, we're taking you on a time-traveling journey to the year 2040. What you will see and hear is going to be big, we promise. We are looking into the future. And what do we see there? The BMW i Vision Circular. Nicki and Jonathan introduce you to the BMW of the future and can’t stop raving about it. They tell you everything there is to know about the concept veh...

Life writes the best stories, as the saying goes. Sometimes they are nerve-wracking experiences, other times deeply moving moments – but no matter what, they all make our everyday lives more interesting. First and foremost, however, they are good anecdotes that we like to share with others. In this episode, we have no less than seven great stories of this kind. Today, Nicki and Jonathan tell you t...

We are delighted to be your personal tour guides today as we take a trip to Munich. True automobile fans will know at once why we are in the Bavarian capital. Just a little hint: It’s not for the pretzels and lederhosen. It’s for the cars. Lots and lots of cars! Nicki and Jonathan will guide you through this year’s International Mobility Show and talk about what BMW has to offer there. The circula...

Swim, surf or kite along as we join professional kitesurfer Roderick Pijls on a journey of discovery through his career and over our seas. Because one thing’s for sure: You’ll find this man in the water more often than out of it. Kitesurfing is so much more to Roderick than his job and hobby, though. He wants to use his sport to draw attention to nature's beauty and vulnerability. He puts himself...

In this episode, we’ll be taking a closer look at sensors, your car’s sensory organs. Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine parking without the helpful beeps and bells of the parking distance control or reversing without assistants to guide us. Fortunately, though, we don’t have to. Radar, ultrasound, cameras and, in future, lidar will make our lives on the road easier and safer than ever. They are our s...

The history of the BMW X models began more than 20 years ago and the story continues to this day. We celebrate that in this episode with a journey through the illustrious history of the BMW X family. Nicki and Jonathan showcase each BMW X model, from 1999 right through to the present. What is so special about this model series? Discover that and so much more in this episode. Buckle up for some X-t...

He started off designing record covers … today it’s cars. That’s Kai Langer’s versatile career in a nutshell. He has been Head of BMW i Design since July 2019 and is shaping the BMW of the future. In this episode, he tells Nicki about the features that make a BMW i so special, what sustainability without sacrifice really means and why the perfect design of an electric car starts with its sound. He...

It's Spa day for our podcast team. But don't worry, we're not doing a relaxing episode with ambient music — quite the opposite. Instead, we (virtually) travel to Spa, Monza, and many other places around the world, to discuss the most famous, distinctive, and sometimes difficult racetrack corners. The pre-selection was tough, but we managed to agree on five curves. Click play to find out what went...

It's time to get up to speed - acceleration, that is. If you've always wondered what makes a car go fast when sprinting from a standstill to 60mph or 100 km/h, we'll make you an expert — and help you better understand which factors play a role. Aerodynamics, weight, tires, electric or combustion engine... these are just some of the things Nicki and Jonathan will discuss in this episode. And you'll...

We're no experts at baking cookies, but we know what's what when it comes to baking carbon. That's why, in this episode of Changing Lanes, we explain everything there is to know about the "black gold of high-tech materials" - or at least everything we can pack into one episode. What is CFRP, how is it made, why is it so important for cars and where is it used in BMW cars are just some of the topic...

Squealing tires, drifts, a 180-degree turn at full speed, an explosion, a flipping SUV, and... CUT! Marvel Studios’ Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson and features a variety of thrilling stunts, many involving vehicles like the BMW X3. In this episode of Changing Lanes, the official podcast of BMW, we will be taking a peek behind the scenes of the film, which features both the BMW X3 and the BMW...

If your heart beats faster as soon as you hear the words “Hofmeister kink”, and you think of cars when you hear “kidneys”, this is the episode for you. In an exclusive interview with designer Christopher Weil, Head of Exterior Design at BMW, you'll learn even more about typical BMW design elements and how they are used in the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. Together with Christopher our host Jonathan tak...

It is literally the overlooked part of a car. Yes, we’re talking about steering wheels and how far they’ve come in the past 100 something years at BMW. Even though they are one of the most important contact points with your car, they still don’t get the attention that they deserve – and the same goes for all the other technologies that help control your car, like iDrive, voice control and so much...

BMW 520i, BMW X5, BMW Z4 - what appears to many BMW fans to be a puzzle of letters and words is actually a sophisticated system: the naming of BMW models. Over the years the system has changed, but hasn’t become any less comprehensible. So if you're looking for an aha-moment, this episode of Changing Lanes, the official podcast of BMW, is for you. Learn now from Nicki and Jonathan why the naming s...

Like Bluetooth and WiFi, only more secure – ultra-wideband is already used in medicine and even cell phones. Now it’s the next big thing in smartphones and cars. We explain what UWB is all about, how it is used for car keys, and why drivers will benefit from this type of connection in the future. In this episode of Changing Lanes, the official podcast from BMW, you'll also learn how the technology...

If the first thing you think of when you think of sustainability is electromobility, you're not wrong. But there's a lot more the automotive industry is working on. CO2 reduction, recycling, and using resources more efficiently are goals BMW has set for itself. But what exactly is BMW doing to become more sustainable and achieve these goals? Join us for a deeper dive into the world of sustainabili...

From a huge collection of art to one very special piece: The BMW 8 Series has become a masterpiece with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). But what exactly does that mean? If you’re as curious as we were, this episode of Changing Lanes, the official podcast of BMW, is for you. We talk to creative technologist Nathan Shipley, take a look behind the scenes of his unique project, and learn how...

There is a lot of talk about it, but hardly anyone really knows how it works: torque. We get to the bottom of the term that even kids know, but many adults and even petrolheads can't explain - whether they admit it or not. How torque works, why you can't accelerate without it and what the difference is to horsepower - Nicki and Jonathan give a little crash course in the new episode of Changing Lan...

24 hours at the limit: Drivers must prove their strongest mental strength, driving abilities and endurance in the 24 hour race at the Nürburgring. The legendary race at the green hell, one of the longest race tracks in the world, has 51 years of story to tell. In this episode of Changing Lanes, the official podcast from BMW, we invite you to immerse yourself with us in this story full of nerve-rac...