The BMW iNext, an electric SUV with advanced autonomous systems, has begun testing in prototype form in Sweden ahead of an expected sales launch in 2021.
The model, which was revealed in concept form last year and shown in public for the first time at the Los Angeles motor show, sits on a radical new platform and will provide the “building blocks” for the BMW Group’s future.
While the iNext is a similar size to the X5, BMW has said that it represents ‘Project i 2.0’, sitting outside of its planned range of electric 'i' SUVs as a new ‘technology flagship’ for the brand.
The test car is running at BMW’s winter testing facility in Arjeplog, Sweden, and features a number of notable differences from the concept. The backwards-opening rear doors have been replaced by a conventional pair and larger B-pillars have been added. While disguised, the grille on the test car is a more standard item than the concept's bold translucent panel that is used to house many of the autonomous systems.
The iNext will be built at BMW's Dingolfing plant in Germany from 2021. It will be the first car from the firm to use a new platform that will be able to spawn conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, plug-in hybrids and electric cars using the same basic architecture and on the same production line. This will underpin future BMW models from the 3 Series upwards and allow a rear-engine configuration in some.
BMW will build all of its future models on one of two platforms – one for front-wheel drive cars and one for those with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
On the latter platform, electric cars will have a rear-mounted drivetrain as standard. Plug-in hybrids will have a rear-mounted electric motor and a transversely-mounted engine driving the front wheels. Electric models will retain the classic BMW rear-wheel-drive layout.
Join the debate
HumberView
No
Peter Cavellini
Steady on old chap....!
It may not be a looker but Cars in the not to distant future won’t necessarily need to look good on the outside because all interest will be in connectivity, being able to interact with others while sitting in a Car that’ll take you where you want, get you there in the quickest safest time and you as passengers ( won’t need a Driver) will arrive stress free caught up with work on the way in or watched Tv or even have an extra forty winks too!, the futures bright?...right?
Peter Cavellini.
Dilly
Wrong site Pal
I think you want porn hub...
jmd67
BMW need a new Head of Design ASAP.
BMW need a new Head of Design ASAP. I'm sure that the tech will be top drawer and they are really trying with this grille thing but it is utterly hideous. Staggeringly ugly everywhere they use it.
LouSiThames
iNext
abkq
If BMW has found a way to
If BMW has found a way to preserve structural integrity by using slim A-pillar and do without any B-pillar, then this car is truly revolutionary. If not, then it's a worthless concept car, a big lie even.
xxxx
'preserve structural integrity'
Agreed, like Humberview says it is a pretty big opening.
typos1 - Just can’t respect opinion
giantpanda
Bold new chassis
The new chassis is one that does not exist. You would have to explain what is bold about it.
When one looks a the photos the car looks like a BMW i3 blown up.
Is this supposed to be the Phaeton " successor "?
sipod
i-NEXT? Who came up with that
i-NEXT? Who came up with that name?!
Peter Cavellini
Not interested...?
When you see that the last post but one was over a year ago, you wonder if there’s that much interest in EV Transport?
Peter Cavellini.
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