Futuristic BMW i-NEXT SUV previewed

In an attempt to spoil the reveal of its most direct rival, the Mercedes-Benz EQC, BMW has begun teasing its new iNEXT concept head of the all-electric SUV's launch later this year.

Two new videos released overnight on BMW's social media channels show how the flagship standalone SUV is shaping up.

With a design dominated by a huge illuminated sci-fi take on BMW's signature kidney grille, the iNEXT SUV's styling is more in-keeping with the current i3 and i8 supercar.

Featuring a wafer-thin take on the brand's twin-halo front lights, most likely incorporating the firm's laser LED light technology, the iNEXT is nothing less than imposing.

Look closer at the front-end design and you'll also notice two large vertical air intakes that hint at the battery-powered SUV's advanced aero and cooling package, which is almost certain to include active elements.

At the rear of the car, the futuristic feel continues with sharp L-shaped LED tail-lights and weird blue outlines that, presumably, highlight the pure-electric SUV's lack of exhaust outlets.

No doubt the side profile and production-ready interior will be teased another day, but the iNEXT is being touted by the German car-maker as one of the most innovative road-ready vehicles it's ever built.

That's because when it arrives in 2021 it will debut both BMW's next-generation pure-electric powertrain and battery technology, plus its advanced fully autonomous driving aids.

Set to measure in around the same size as the firm's current X5, the iNEXT won't follow in the tyre tracks of the i8, or even the i3, by being based on exotic carbon-fibre underpinnings.

Instead, to keep engineering and manufacturing costs down, the iNEXT will sit on either a heavily modified version of the car-maker's CLAR platform or an entirely new modular architecture that will be shared with BMW's all-new fifth-generation X5.

Set to be built at BMW's Dingolfing plant in north-west Munich, the iNEXT is being developed to deliver battery density ranging from 60kWh to 120kWh.

It will come with one, two or even three electric motors and some are suggesting entry-level models will offer 100kW and the flagship version an astonishing 600kW.

Initially, iNEXT is set to introduce the firm's Level 3 autonomous tech that demands the driver to monitor progress and takeover when needed.

Crucially, it's thought this will be upgraded during the iNEXT's life to allow it to operate completely autonomously.