BMW is a brand that was an early adopter of electrification, announcing models like the i8 and i3. Now, BMW has unveiled its flagship BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) model. What inspiration did actor Ren Kiriyama, known for his passion for cars, draw from the BMW iX?

Upon seeing the BMW iX xDrive40, actor Ren Kiriyama exclaimed with a radiant smile, "I love it! I'm into camping and the outdoors, so I'm a big fan of SUVs." Once inside, with the keen eye of a car enthusiast, he asked for permission before quickly adjusting the seat position: "May I move the seat a bit?"

"Look at this, even the seat adjustment switches and the shift selector are like crystal; the design is meticulous down to the details. Cars, like clothing, are something you wear, so I naturally view them from a fashion perspective. Normally, the trim around the air vents would be silver, right? But this car deliberately uses gold, which, coordinated with the exterior and seat colors, creates an elegant interior."

Kiriyama let out a surprised "Wow!" when he operated the optional Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof.

"I thought this glass roof was strange because it didn't have a sunshade, but when I pressed the switch, the clear glass instantly turned opaque. This is amazing! I spend a lot of time in my car, so I naturally pay close attention to the interior."

With its high-quality interior and exterior design, and the innovative sunroof, the BMW BEV had already captured Kiriyama's heart before he even started driving.

"This is my first time driving an EV, so I've been looking forward to this interview for days."

Saying this, Kiriyama began to drive the BMW iX. Kiriyama, who drives himself to film sets in the Tokyo metropolitan area and enjoys racing karts on his days off, handled the BMW iX with a smoothness that belied their first meeting.

"Can I be completely honest? I actually thought EVs were much slower vehicles. But this is incredibly powerful, and so smooth. It's not just fast; it responds exactly as you expect the moment you press the accelerator, making it fun to drive."

We asked Kiriyama, who drives himself to locations, how he typically spends his time in the car.

"I often practice my lines. Since I'm alone, I can concentrate, and I don't disturb anyone, so I can even warm up my voice before it's fully awake. I also used to be in a band and still play bass, so I listen to music. With a quiet cabin like this, it's perfect for practicing lines or listening to music. I usually drive an old, noisy American car, so this quietness and smoothness feel like a completely different vehicle (laughs)."

As Kiriyama became more accustomed to driving and operating the car, he began experimenting with the center display for audio and vehicle settings.

"I noticed the interior had few switches and felt minimalist, but it's all controlled through this single, tablet-like display. It's easy to operate, and the futuristic feel of the display really gets me excited."