[spikes111]

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The BMW patent uncovered by CarBuzz, filed via the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), differs from the ones explained above as it seeks to combine the tasks of a push-button ignition, a mechanical or electrical park brake, and a conventional shift lever into one drive controller.

Apparently, BMW thinks these "multiplicity of different control elements" are superfluous. It proposes just a single control element that switches the vehicle between a park state and driving state. For example, when you pull up at home after a long day at the office, you can simply select park and get out of the vehicle; no need to fuss with a start/stop button or handbrake. The car will automatically decide whether the park brake is needed based on several parameters like the gradient or whether or not the accelerator pedal is being used.

Then again, the conventional procedure BMW describes only takes a second or two, so we're not sure why a single controller is required at all. BMW says its controller can retract so that it sits flush with the console when in the park state, and extends out again when in the drive state. It can also be rotated. A small touchscreen on the controller itself can also display the specific state the car is in.

These features may be cool party tricks, but they sound counterintuitive to the patent's greater goal of simplifying the start/setting off and stop/switching off tasks. BMW mentions that the new technology could be used for both hybrids or EVs, but even the dramatic XM plug-in hybrid still has a conventional shift lever. Perhaps we'll see the all-in-one BMW controller in a future BMW i model, but no matter how futuristic it may look, we hope it isn't a step forward for style and two steps back for functionality.

[stein_325i]

A retractable gear shifter, if JLR has proven anything, this is not a good idea.

[pikkagtr]

What's the point
We will end up with voice control once everything is just a RC car
Hey BMW! Put it in Drive !
Auto parking brake engagement like my 2020 Corolla
No need for any levers

[NoSugar]

Finally a gear selector that makes sense!
Push forward for Drive, pull back for reverse!

[Teutonic]

The lack of similarity between bot lateral sides looks unnatural to me.

However, I don’t see the purpose of it?
You can make it simple with D / R / P without changing the design to this extent…? There is automatic hand brake, why this anyway?
And a motor to activate that thing will just end up in Jaguar style…
Not to mention, a conventional shift will still retain that car feeling…

If ain’t broken, why fix it?

It is me or the new simple is actually complicated?

[swampfox94]

Basically an Audi gear selector that retracts. I don't understand why every car company is so hell bent on messing with something that works.

[NorCalAthlete]

I wouldn't mind them trimming it down similar to Porsche's, but I don't have any issue with the current design.

Sometimes I get out and just hit the start/stop while it's still in drive. It automatically shifts into Park. No issues.

[TAZ007]

Welcome to Engineering 101. We do not create but improve on products.

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

The lack of similarity between bot lateral sides looks unnatural to me.

However, I don't see the purpose of it?
You can make it simple with D / R / P without changing the design to this extent…? There is automatic hand brake, why this anyway?
And a motor to activate that thing will just end up in Jaguar style…
Not to mention, a conventional shift will still retain that car feeling…

If ain't broken, why fix it?

It is me or the new simple is actually complicated?

If it's ain't broken…. Find a way for it to break and not cover it under warranty.

[stefan]

"innovation"

[ihbase]

Originally Posted by NoSugar

Finally a gear selector that makes sense!
Push forward for Drive, pull back for reverse!

100% agree.

[sahajesh]

Don't see a problem with having the handbrake applied automatically when you turn the engine off (as an example).

The transmission goes into P anyway.

The current way works but why not make these things easier.

Mind you, in a forum where 6MT is king, this will never get any traction. In the real world, it's a different story.

[Masander]

Yes awesome finally we can have that early 2010s electric nissan shifter in our future BMWs

[AD18]

Lever looks very 'Audi-esque', which in turn I always thought looked more at home in a boat than a car...

[grannyknot]

One way or the other they have to make some kind of changes each year, might as well over complicate systems that work perfectly the way they are.
I say bring back the horse!

[Tag]

This gear selector will also make you shift to another brand.

[Germanauto]

I'm just glad we are still getting a physical shifter instead of a stupid column mounted one or buttons.

[DrivenByE30]

been saying it for years... this is what should have happened years ago when Bmw first developed their current auto gear selectors...
BMW have been making auto car even more dangerous with one pedal...


This new gear selector design is a huge improvement....

but Manual cars remains much more safe and fool proof.

[BMWCCA1]

My 128i M-sport 6-speed manual has this feature where when I pull into my driveway in first gear and stop the car, it stays where I put it.

In defense of BMW's current eShifter: It has the same pattern as any PRNDL automatic nearly forever. You just start out in Neutral instead of in Park. It will always go to park when the car is shut off or the door is opened unless you are intentionally putting it in "car-wash" mode. Nothing could be easier to operate if you simply take a moment to look at it.

[adc]

Why not just 3 buttons?

Drive, Park and Reverse. Could be hard or soft (touchscreen), all solid state with no moving parts. Pressing Drive or Reverse can auto-start the engine if needed, no messing around.

[labodiattila]

I miss the "H pattern "

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by Onesie

Did you know it won't go into park if you open the door if you're buckled in?
It only does that if you're not wearing the belt.
At least it's how it is on the F25.

Did you shut off the engine, or just open the door?

Try moving/driving it with the door open.