[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

First Look at BMW iNEXT Production Prototype

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Have a look at the iNEXT (likely production name: iX) prototype up close and personal, with the first spied look at its interior appearing more conventional than the concept iNEXT's dashboard. This is however, still a very early stage prototype and with BMW calling the iNEXT its technology flagship, expect the interior to show off more technology and forward-looking design as the prototype advances in testing. And check out the iNEXT logo on the steering wheel.

Both the iNEXT / iX and upcoming i4 will offer a driving range of over 600 kilometers / 373 miles per charge (based on the European WLTP test cycle so EPA mileage ratings for the US market will vary). The iNext will feature Level 3 (hands-off -- autonomous driving).

The iX may debut a new feature on BMWs -- dynamic window and/or sunroof tint, glass which can manually and/or automatically tint itself. This technology is courtesy of Continental, which calls it Intelligent Glass Control.

The iX / iNEXT is scheduled to begin production in 2021 at the Dingolfing plant.


February 3, 2020

Since the last update, we've learned the following regarding the iNEXT (from our future models info thread):

The likely market model name for iNext is simply "iX". The battery sizes are no longer used for model designation, instead we'll have "xDrive40", "xDrive50" and "M50 xDrive".

Interesting new feature, first likely to appear on iNext: dynamic window and/or sunroof tint. This technology is courtesy of Continental, which calls it Intelligent Glass Control.

BMW iNEXT Spied Again

November 4, 2019

The latest i4 prototype reveals much, including the first look at its curved dash display. The interior look also shows a switch in place of a traditional shifter stalk. The dash is no longer connected to the console between the seats and climate controls have moved into the curved display. Also visible is the new two-spoke steering wheel.

BMW iNEXT Reveals More Interior

May 10, 2019 Photos































February 5, 2019

BMW Press Release:

Munich. The future of driving pleasure is approaching fast and the BMW iNEXT takes the next hurdle of its path to serial production maturity. The winter test centre of the BMW Group in Arjeplog, Sweden is the setting for the current complete vehicle tests, which serve to optimise, examine and harmonise all drive, chassis and suspension components under extreme climate and road conditions. With its purely electric drive, the BMW iNEXT meets individual mobility needs in an especially sustainable manner. It also combines the latest developments from the areas of automated driving and intelligent connectivity offering passengers completely new ways of enjoying their ride.

The series production version of the BMW iNEXT will be manufactured in the BMW Plant in Dingolfing from 2021. The new technology flagship of the BMW Group integrates the key future topics of automated driving, connectivity, electrification and services (ACES) in the automobile as defined in the NUMBER ONE > NEXT company strategy. Its innovative technology focusses on people’s needs and requirements. The BMW iNEXT, in the shape of a modern Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) embodies the pioneering interpretation of brand typical driving pleasure – with purely electric drive, intelligent all-wheel-drive system and model-specific suspension technology. These components are currently being winter-tested together under real-world conditions at the polar circle for the first time. This intensive series of tests, which is equivalent to those used for conventionally powered models, illustrates the high degree of maturity of the purely electric drive technology developed by the BMW Group, which makes the BMW iNEXT the symbol for the move into a new era of driving pleasure.

The test drives with the camouflaged BMW iNEXT are being conducted on snow-covered roads and ice-covered lakes, where low temperatures and minimal road friction dominate everyday testing. The cold poses a challenge, above all, for the electric motor, the high-voltage battery and the cooling system of the BMW iNEXT. The testing engineers also attach particular importance to the eDrive energy management system. They analyse the way in which the extreme sub-zero temperatures affect how the energy storage system recharges, how electricity is transferred to the electric motor, how the electrical system is supplied with energy and how the heating and air condition systems respond. The power transmission and suspension regulation systems are also tested far beyond what is standard in day-to-day traffic conditions. On closed-off, ice-covered surfaces electronic regulation can already be provoked at low driving speeds. For the engineers this means that they can, for example, analyse the interaction of the all-wheel-drive system, which was especially developed for the electric drive, and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control). They can then continuously optimise the processes under exactly reproducible conditions.

The steering and braking system are also fine-tuned under these conditions. Just like the deceleration performance of the brakes, the energy recuperation when coasting must be precisely adapted to each driving situation. The tracks around Arjeplog also provide the ideal testing ground for these trials. The BMW iNEXT is confronted with the entire range of dynamic driving challenges when winter-testing on gravel tracks, dry asphalt and extremely slippery polished ice surfaces.

[nbennettksu]

based on X3 or X5 platform?

[JorgenM]

Now that looks much better than the concept.
Suicide doors are gone, hurray!

iNext is back in the game

[Ceramic Rabbit]

Originally Posted by nbennettksu

based on X3 or X5 platform?

Aren't those both on the same CLAR architecture?

[Miko M]

Do I see huge grill hidden?
Lol

[am3r1ka]

I was hoping they'll ditch the grill 😪.

[HRE_Wheels]

Originally Posted by Miko M

Do I see huge grill hidden?
Lol

Please no

[JMon]

What size is this? More like an x3 or x5?

[heavensyu]

It looks like an iX5 compared with iX3.

[Kr0m3assass1n]

The irony here is that a giant grill isn't even needed. You don't have the type of cooling concerns as with an ICE. They could just make a "right-sized" grill like the Fxx generation cars and it would look great.

But no, they're going to ram two humongous kidneys in your face, so nobody ever forgets it's a BMW.

Otherwise, proportions look great IMO.

[cfm56d7b]

Is the camouflage on the prototype intentionally _very_ misleading to resemble X3 vs car like 4 series Gran Coupe?

[M3GymNut]

What is it with BMW and these grills. Even on the I vehicles. Jesus what will it take? Not only that they don't need it, it keeps getting bigger!

[Tuxedo]

I still see tow mater's buck teeth thru the camo

[BwoodBMW]

Oh no... the front grill trend can't even be stopped by an electric car???

[evanevery]

blah, blah, blah...

Range?

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by HRE_Wheels

Please no

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Ceramic Rabbit

Aren't those both on the same CLAR architecture?

Yes. So the question is, is this CLAR (CLAR-WE actually, as it is now evolving toward) or a brand new dedicated electric-only platform?

There has been suggestion that this vehicle will be built on the latter, but I am skeptical. BMW has made it very clear that it intends to build multiple electric models on CLAR-WE because that greatly lowers their risk. A new “skateboard” platform would be great too, but that’s going to cause costs to explode at a time when they really need to keep them firmly in check.

As pointed out by another member above, this looks like it could essentially be an iX5, and that would make sense both from a cost and marketing perspective. Perhaps it will feature more unique body work or other content/features than the iX3 and i4 will vs. the X3 and 4er respectively, but in any case an electric X5 would seem to be a very attractive offering. Throw in the Level 3 autonomy we know this vehicle will offer, and you have a winner.

Edit:

As I think a bit more about it, I gravitate toward the name "iX8" as a good possibility for this vehicle's production name. It is different enough from the X5 or X7 that neither it nor they would likely be best served by this being slotted into those existing products' hierarchies. By instead using the currently untapped "X8" moniker, it can be freed to take its own styling and technology direction without creating any confusion.

Now, it's true that it does not have the signature fastback styling that the X4 and X6 have. However, if we look at the X2 and how it compares to the X1, this could take a similar place in the lineup compared to the X7.

Plus, it will be the flagship SUV, so it really deserves top billing. And finally, BMW officials have already commented publicly on an X8 being a good possibility for a future product. This could be what they have in mind. Of course, being purely electric, this would obviously be called the iX8, but that does not preclude the possibility of standard X8 ICE or PHEV models which share many physical attributes with this EV flagship.

[MilehighM3]

I'm sure the camo openings in the front are to mask the grill openings. The standard X3 has active grills that are often closed anyway, so the BEV version wouldn't need much at all.

[cbarden]

I like the shape of the body but not the big front grill.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Kr0m3assass1n

The irony here is that a giant grill isn't even needed. You don't have the type of cooling concerns as with an ICE. They could just make a "right-sized" grill like the Fxx generation cars and it would look great.

But no, they're going to ram two humongous kidneys in your face, so nobody ever forgets it's a BMW.

Otherwise, proportions look great IMO.

Those iconic kidney grill(s) will be partially translucent, and will feature a suite of cameras, sensors, and even radar hidden within the design.

[ecaedus]

i know it's a slim chance but I hope they don't price it at the flagship SUV level at $75K-80K. Model Y is due next year and bmw needs to be fighting for the $50K SUV market instead of the $80K one. while etron, eqc, ipace and an aging model x duke it out at the top, why not go for the middle market? model 3 sales numbers have already proven there's a market for mid range priced "luxury" BEV

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ecaedus

i know it's a slim chance but I hope they don't price it at the flagship SUV level at $75K-80K. Model Y is due next year and bmw needs to be fighting for the $50K SUV market instead of the $80K one. while etron, eqc, ipace and an aging model x duke it out at the top, why not go for the middle market? model 3 sales numbers have already proven there's a market for mid range priced "luxury" BEV

Perhaps you are unaware of other upcoming products, such as this one:

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1489615

available next year.