A BMW brought to the 2026 Beijing Motor Show (Auto China 2026) one of the most unusual concepts ever applied to the recent automotive industry: a car capable of changing its own paintwork on command. The novelty appears in the BMW iX3 Flow Editionderived from the new BMW iX3, and uses E Ink technology to transform the body into a dynamic surface.
The proposal breaks with the traditional pattern of fixed painting. Instead of a single color defined at the factory, the model allows you to select different visual patterns directly on the vehicle. The change occurs in seconds and can vary between discrete styles and more elaborate animations, creating a new form of interaction between car and driver.
The E Ink system applied to the iX3 uses a layer composed of millions of microcapsules. Each contains pigments with opposite electrical charges — typically black and white. When an electric field is activated, these pigments reorganize, forming new colors, patterns or graphics visible on the surface.
Unlike conventional screens, the technology does not consume energy continuously. Electricity is only used during the visual transition. After that, the pattern remains stable without the need for constant electrical power. This characteristic is fundamental to enable automotive use, as it avoids a relevant impact on the vehicle’s energy consumption.
More than aesthetics: impact on efficiency
Despite the visual appeal, the technology has practical implications. The possibility of switching between light and dark tones can directly influence the cabin temperature.
Light colors reflect more solar radiation, reducing internal heating on hot days. Dark tones favor heat absorption at lower temperatures. This control can reduce the need to use air conditioning or heating, reducing energy consumption — a relevant factor in electric vehicles.
New electrical generation
The basis of the concept is the new BMW iX3, one of the first models in the plataforma New class. The SUV uses the sixth generation of the eDrive system, with high-density batteries and an 800-volt electrical architecture.
According to data from the Chinese CLTC cycle, the model can exceed 900 km of autonomy. Recharging also evolves: in ideal conditions, it is possible to recover energy for up to 400 km in around ten minutes, thanks to charging capacity of up to 400 kW.
*Journalist traveled at the invitation of Jetour Brasil
