Rinspeed Unveils BMW i3-based Budii Autonomous EV Concept

Swiss tuning house Rinspeed has unveiled its latest concept today, ahead of an official reveal at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.

As teased late last year, the carmaker has taken a BMW i3 and transformed it into the Budii - which follows on from its XchangE concept revealed at the same motor show last year.

Like the XchangE, the Budii is all-electric and self-driven with a steer-by-wire system turning the front wheels and a steering wheel that folds away when not required.

The folding steering wheel sees the Budii go one-up on the XchangE with its more ‘rigid’ steering wheel, but both concepts can be switched from left- to right-hand-drive as the controls (but not the pedals it seems) slide along the dash.

Rinspeed has added adjustable air suspension to the i3’s underbelly allowing 100mm of adjustment, along with a ‘telescoping laser scanner’ which extends from the roof. It's difficult to miss, and will have the driver paying close attention to 'maximum clearance' signs under bridges.

The scanner works with a 3D camera to survey the road ahead, automatically adjusting the suspension on the run for the smoothest ride.

Inside, the Budii gets an electric heating system (95 percent efficient, says Rinspeed) which can pre-warm the battery pack if the owner commands it to via a smartwatch or mobile phone.

A Harman Kardon infotainment system is also fitted, which features software to recognise the driver’s preferences in order to minimise the input required from them to operate it.

Exterior styling tweaks include a wider body with redesigned bumpers, 19-inch alloy wheels and ‘multi-function’ panels that incorporate indicator and brake lights.

Stay tuned to TMR for more Geneva Motor Show news.

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