BMW Cars Will be Warmed up by Infrared Heaters.

According to BMW engineers replacing traditional heating systems with infrared offers only benefits. Infrared heaters which are widely used in everyday life and at industrial enterprises are not built into cars yet. But it is ineffectively. It is assumed that they will gain wide popularity with introducing electric cars and hybrids.
Thermal comfort level can be finely adjusted because the infrared heater warms up not the cabin air but objects or passengers selectively and directly. Among other things you can warm only those places in the car that are currently occupied. Energy saving is the main advantage of this innovation.

An advanced development is still at the prototype stage; the Bavarians have built it into the door and showed at their annual event of BMW Group Innovation Day 2012.

Infrared heaters warm up the interior of a car in a minute. Heat spreads silently and safely like the sunshine. Designers will avoid any fans and passenger vents.