The BMW Podcast | Changing Lanes

Latest Episodes:

INSIDE NEUE KLASSE #04 | MARCEL OTTMANN & DANIEL FISCHER: SEAMLESS TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

What does seamless really mean when it comes to the future of driving?

In this fourth episode of Inside Neue Klasse, Nicki Shields meets BMW experts Marcel Ottmann, Head of User Interface Design Systems, and Daniel Fischer, Senior Creative Technologist, live at the 2025 IAA Mobility in Munich. Together, they explore how design and technology converge in the Neue Klasse to create an effortless, intelligent experience – first previewed in the all-new BMW iX3.

From predictive climate control and Plug & Charge to personalised comfort features in the My BMW App and intuitive mood lighting – in the Neue Klasse, every element works in harmony, so the car adapts to you, not the other way around.

Tune in to discover how BMW is shaping interaction, anticipation, and personalisation into a new era of mobility.

(00:00) Introduction

(02:05) What makes design feel seamless?

(03:37) Anticipation: when the car knows before you do

(09:57) How to create a seamless user journey

(15:19) Personalisation: how the Neue Klasse adapts to you

(16:30) Connecting your digital life with your car

(21:24) Outro

Find out more about our host Nicki Shields

INSIDE NEUE KLASSE #03 | RENZO VITALE: THE SOUND OF BMW HYPERSONX EXPLAINED Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

What does the future of electric mobility sound like?

In this episode of Inside Neue Klasse, Nicki Shields is joined by Renzo Vitale, Creative Director Sound BMW Group, to explore BMW HypersonX – the innovative sound concept designed for the Neue Klasse.

Powered by BMW Operating System X, HypersonX responds to your driving style, shifting from calm and refined in Personal Mode to energetic and expressive in Sport Mode. More than just acoustic design, it creates an emotional link between driver and vehicle – shaping how mobility feels through sound.

The episode wraps with a playful sound recognition challenge. Can you guess the tones along with Nicki and Renzo?

Tune in to hear how sound becomes a core part of the BMW driving experience.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:51) Renzo’s favourite road trip song

(03:10) Emotion and resonance in electric driving

(08:13) The element of silence

(10:30) Designing BMW HypersonX

(14:15) Sound recognition challenge

(17:57) Outro

Find outmore about our host Nicki Shields

INSIDE NEUE KLASSE #02 | DAVID LEISTER: THE BMW PANORAMIC iDRIVE EXPLAINED Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

How does the digital future feel inside a BMW?

In this second episode of Inside Neue Klasse, Nicki Shields sits down with David Leister, BMW User Interface Design Lead, to uncover the story behind the BMW Panoramic iDrive — a new interaction experience designed to bring clarity, personalisation, and seamless integration into every drive.

From early sketches to human-centric digital systems, this conversation explores how the Neue Klasse interior is built entirely around the driver and their digital lifestyle.

The episode ends with a challenge that puts intuitive thinking to the test.

Tune in to see how interaction in the Neue Klasse becomes second nature.

(00:00) Introduction

(03:11) What superpower would David’s dream car have?

(03:46) What makes the BMW Panoramic iDrive seamless?

(12:07) Challenge: Nicki vs. David

(14:00) Outro

Find out more about our host Nicki Shields

INSIDE NEUE KLASSE #01 | TORSTEN MÜLLER: THE HEART OF JOY EXPLAINED Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

What defines the unmistakable driving feel of a BMW?

In this first episode of Inside Neue Klasse, Nicki Shields speaks with Torsten Müller, Chief Engineer of BMW Dynamic Performance Control, to explore the Heart of Joy — the central computing unit that powers the driving experience in the Neue Klasse.

From early development ideas to dynamic test drives, this conversation uncovers how technology turns emotion into experience.

The episode wraps up with a light-hearted coordination challenge that puts driving intuition to the test.

Tune in to discover how a new era of mobility is still driven by joy.

(00:00) Introduction

(03:02) What the Heart of Joy feels like

(11:48) What superpower would Torsten’s dream car have?

(12:42) Challenge: Nicki vs. Torsten

(15:46) Outro

Find out more about our host Nicki Shields⁠

GAME CHANGER #06 | DANIELA BOHLINGER: CHANGING PERSPECTIVE, CHANGING THE GAME | BMW Podcast Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

Imagine leaving everything behind – no mobile phone, no internet – and focusing on one question: how can we envision a future with zero emissions?

That’s exactly what our last episode’s GAME CHANGER did. Daniela Bohlinger, a name familiar to design enthusiasts, is also known for constantly pushing beyond her boundaries. Bohlinger, the Innovation Strategist for Sustainability at BMW Group, is also a professor in Umeå, Sweden.She is engaged in various design competitions as a jury member and in international scholarships. Bohlinger is brave enough not only in talking about existing boundaries, but also in changing the systems for a holistically positive future vision.

Check out our last episode for insights into the future of individual mobility and how shifting perspectives can drive a more sustainable tomorrow.

(00:00) Introduction

(07:14) When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone?

(13:53) A vision of where the future of mobility is heading

(16:33) What was your inspiration or role model?

(24:08) How does nature inspire you?

Find out more about our hosts ⁠⁠Charlie Martin

GAME CHANGER #05 | CATHY HACKL: CHANGING GAMING INDUSTRY, CHANGING THE GAME | BMW Podcast Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

Life often takes unexpected turns, leading us down entirely new paths. Some fear these unpredictable changes, while others embrace them with open arms.

This episode’s GAME CHANGER, Cathy Hackl, has built her journey around constant change, overcoming obstacles, and embracing surprises – some anticipated, others completely unexpected. Cathy Hackl is a tech and gaming executive and CEO of Spatial Dynamics, a company specialising in spatial computing and AI solutions, including gaming. Recognized as one of Ad Age’s Leading Women of 2023, Cathy also graced the cover of Forbes Latam’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2023 issue and was named as one of Vogue Business’s 100 Innovators.

Tune in to this episode for inspiration on how to transform unexpected challenges into game-changing moments.

(00:00) Introduction

(11:35) My North Star.

(07:58) When someone tells me NO!

(26:09) What was the last new thing you tried?

(15:10) Everything I do moves me forward

Find out more about our hosts ⁠Charlie Martin

GAME CHANGER #04 | DR. PETER LAMP: CHANGING THE BATTERY, CHANGING THE GAME | BMW Podcast Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

We all carry small sources of energy – our phones, laptops and cars. Lithium-ion batteries power the world today, and the technology is evolving fast. What’s the next game-changing breakthrough, especially in the car industry?

Our GAME CHANGER in this episode is Dr. Peter Lamp, Principal Expert for Battery Cell Technology at BMW. He played a key role in developing lithium-ion cells for the i3 and i8 and has led BMW’s R&D in battery cell technology since 2012.

Tune in to discover how the world is charging today and what the future holds for automotive battery innovation.

(00:00) Introduction

(02:26) What is your definition of a “game changer”?

(09:05) Witnessing the process of developing lithium-ion batteries.

(14:15) What were your inspirations? Who has been your role model?

(20:41) What was the game-changing moment in your life?

Find out more about our hosts Charlie Martin

GAME CHANGER #03 | FIONN FERREIRA: CHANGING THE WATER, CHANGING THE GAME | BMW Podcast Sep 13, 2024

Show notes

Plastic pollution in the oceans and on shores is a well-known and growing problem. But have you ever wondered why we don’t see more of it scattered along the beaches? This question inspired this episode’s GAME CHANGER, Fionn Ferreira, to dig deeper. 

Ferreira is an Irish inventor, chemistry student and Forbes 30 under 30 listee. He grew up near the Irish coast in a family of boat builders, and his connection to the sea fuelled his passion for purifying water. Join us as Fionn shares his journey, revealing how his curiosity and innovative mindset led him to develop a groundbreaking idea for purifying water and eventually caught the attention of “Iron Man” himself.

(00:00) Introduction

(03:59) What inspired you to start your journey?

(11:26) How does this technology work to collect microplastics using magnets?

(25:38) What will be the next step?

(28:17) How dare you?

Find out more about our host Charlie Martin.

GAME CHANGER #02 | Dr. Stella Clarke: Changing Colors, Changing the Game | BMW Podcast Sep 06, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever had that one idea that made you think, "This is it"? 

In 2022, the BMW iX Flow, the world’s first color-changing car, captured global attention. Like every groundbreaking innovation, it all started with an idea.

This episode’s game changer is Dr. Stella Clarke. With a background in mechanical engineering from Australia, the USA, and Munich, Clarke has been a development engineer at BMW since 2007. It was her vision to apply E Ink technology—familiar from e-readers—to revolutionize how vehicles can change their color.

Check out this episode to hear how Dr. Clarke implemented her groundbreaking idea.

(00:00) Introduction

(02:59) What is your definition of a “game changer”?

(03:42) The creative process

(06:40) The difference between hearing an idea and actually holding it in your hands

(07:51) From idea to product - How does the process work?

(17:40) What have been the game-changing moments in your life?

(20:30) How can you dare?

Find out more about our host Charlie Martin.

GAME CHANGER #01 | David Zilber: Changing Food, Changing the Game | BMW Podcast Aug 30, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to the first episode of the new BMW audio series, GAME CHANGER. This episode’s change maker is David Zilber. He is a professional chef, fermenter, food scientist, and author from Toronto, Canada. What if you knew that the next big culinary breakthrough might come from a tiny microbe living in the food you eat every day? Tune in to this episode to discover how a lab next to a kitchen could bring about the next big culinary change.

(00:00) Introduction

(02:56) How is the microorganism used in food?

(08:49) Who were your role models?

(14:26) What was the most surprising food flavour?

(26:41) How dare you?

(31:06) What is food for you?

Find out more about our host Charlie Martin.