Sept. 18, 2018—BMW is in the process of a global tour to show off the Vision iNEXT, a concept, electrified SUV.
Klaus Frohlich, a member of BMW’s board, told wired.com that the SUV isn’t just “a show car,” and promised that the vehicle will be available by around 2021. BMW is developing multiple hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric models. Frohlich told wired.com that “electromobility is the new normal” in BMW’s view.
As a result, the iNEXT is fully electric and capable of driving itself, though a human can still take the wheel. The concept vehicle is smaller than the typical SUV, and is roughly the size of BMW’s popular X5.
So, far, the BMW concept SUV features some innovative cabin technology, too. For example, the backseat features a center console that serves as a control pad, and passengers can swipe along the console to change songs, or tap with three fingers to turn music off. BMW calls that new technology “shy tech,” which is designed to be advanced, yet unobtrusive for passengers.
