BMW iNEXT electric SUV shown testing
Flagship plug-in BMW iNEXT won't arrive until 2021 but has already begun winter testingBMW has released heavily camouflaged pictures of its advanced BMW iNEXT SUV undergoing winter testing in Sweden despite the fact it won't enter production until 2021.
The new images reveal an SUV that looks almost as large as the latest BMW X5 and preview a model that will be heavily inspired by the iNEXT SUV concept that was unveiled at the 2018 Los Angeles motor show.
Set to be renamed for production, the BMW iNEXT will rival cars like the Tesla Model X and the Jaguar I-PACE when it arrives in two years' time.
According to BMW, the testing of its battery-powered SUV in sub-zero snowy conditions was to evaluate both the iNEXT's all-wheel drive system and how the freezing temperatures affect the efficiency of its electric motors and battery pack.
Despite being heavily disguised, the iNEXT mules look far more conventional than the radical LA concept, sporting a pair of conventional rear doors rather than the original's suicide doors.
The front-end also looks like it has been completely redesigned for the production car with a new lower air intake added.
BMW is yet to release full technical details of the iNEXT but it's thought that both the range and even the electric motors of the production car are yet to be locked in.
Based on the German car-maker's advanced next-generation platform -- which has been designed and engineered for not just pure-electric powertrains but more conventional petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid ones -- the iNEXT will be capable of being built on the same production line as a regular BMW 5 and 7 Series.
BMW has already revealed that the long-range version of the forthcoming i4 fastback sedan will come with an option of a powerful 120kWh battery that provides a total range of 700km between recharges.
It's thought both the i4 and the iNEXT will be offered with Level 3 autonomous driving capability when launched, allowing for hands-off and eyes-off driving at up to 130km/h on the highway.
Later on, during the iNEXT's lifetime, this will be upgraded to full Level 5 autonomous driving capability without the need for any input from the driver.
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