SPY PICS: Fake Phantom caught testing

Spy photographers snapping an unusually upright sedan in northern Sweden were left scratching their heads.

Boasting some styling cues from the likes of British luxury icons Bentley and Rolls-Royce, the camouflaged sedan deflected all attempts at identification – until a certain line of enquiry (in a local pub) revealed that this is BMW's upcoming MINI i6.

The terribly British design cues are a tell-tale; this is a vehicle that will take BMW's i brand in a mainstream direction – merging with the shrinking MINI brand for a car that will be more 'MAXI'. The car, developed exclusively for the burgeoning Chinese market, will feature 'heavy' reliance on carbon fibre and aluminium for its construction.

The high-riding looks barely conceal the ranks of batteries in the floorpan – Tesla style – to drive the electric drivetrain lifted from the i3. Little else is known, but it's believed the range-extending petrol motor from the i3 will also be offered as an option. A long-wheelbase model is also under development and will sell alongside the model pictured here.

Rumours are already circulating that this new car may revive the Riley brand and will be built on a modified form of the UKL platform at MINI's Oxford plant in the UK. We're anticipating the new car will make its debut April 1 next year, at the Shanghai motor show in China.

This article was published on the morning of April 1, 2017 and is not to be taken seriously.