BMW’s 2021 iNext, which will reportedly adopt the iX5 name once it
reaches the market, takes a more minimal approach for its interior design,
featuring a dashboard with no cowls together with a huge curved display in a
setup that’s similar to what Mercedes is doing with its models.
The test car appears to feature two displays under a
common curved glass surface, but BMW has promised that the final production
model will come with a “curved, single-section display” in one of its previous
teasers.
The electric BMW SUV will also feature the new
two-spoke polygonal steering wheel that according to the German carmaker offers
the perfect geometry for switching between normal and automated driving and
will have optical fibers integrated on the side sections to send color signals
to the driver when it’s time to take over control of the vehicle.
BMW iNext is close to an
X5 but its underpinnings are all new, as it rides on the company’s latest
flexible architecture which will be used by both electric and ICE-powered
vehicles. The iNext will have a rear-mounted electric motor -at least on its
base versions- and the battery pack mounted on the floor. Expect to see some of
its technologies in the also upcoming i4, including shared powertrain options.
BMW has promised a driving range of over 600 km for the INext, which will also be the brand’s first model to offer
Level 3 automated driving. 0-100 km/h will come in around 4 seconds.
Level 3 automated driving means that the driver of
the iNext will be able to sit back and let the car handle the steering, brakes
and acceleration, although he must be ready to take back control at all times.
BMW will eventually use the iNext as their testbed for the development of Level
4 and Level 5 automated driving technologies.
