BMW unveils its iNEXT next-gen electric crossover concept, describes it as ‘building block for the future’

BMW has been teasing its iNEXT concept vehicle as the next generation electric vehicle that will guide the brand in its electrification plans.

The German automaker has now finally unveiled the concept iNEXT vehicle on which the 2021 production version will be based. 

Even though BMW has been teasing the vehicle for years, very little was known about it until now beyond the fact that it is an electric and partly autonomous vehicle inspired by the recent Vision NEXT concepts unveiled by the German premium brand over the last few years.

Last year, BMW’s head of sales and marketing, Ian Robertson, casted doubts on Tesla’s ability to produce Model 3 in volume at $35,000 and in the process, he said that the iNext would be the real competitor in the segment.

It gave us an indication that the vehicle could be priced similarly to the base Model 3 and also be a midsize, 3 series-ish sedan.

With more recent teasers, we have actually learned that the vehicle is a crossover.

Now they have fully unveiled the iNEXT during elaborate events inside an airplane at several different locations over the past few days:

As you can see, it still features the same concept design accents that we have become familiar following all the recent “BMW Vision” concept vehicles.

But despite being only a concept, BMW is making it sounds like it’s a very important vehicle for the brand.

Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management at the BMW Group, said about the unveiling of the iNEXT:

“The iNEXT project will provide our building blocks for the future, from which the entire company and all of its brands are set to benefit.”

BMW said that “the series-produced version of the BMW iNEXT will assume the role of a new technology flagship; production at Plant Dingolfing is slated to begin in 2021.”

Unfortunately, BMW didn’t offer any specifics when it comes to the specs, but it has previously claimed an insane 435-mile range, which is a lot even for 2021.

Instead, they focused on the design and they said that the vehicle will be “highly automated, emission-free and fully connected.”

Here are a few more images released by BMW:

Electrek’s Take

Well, it’s just another electric concept.

It looks to me that like the Mercedes-Benz EQC last week, BMW is trying to steal a little of Audi’s spotlight since the German automaker is unveiling its own production electric SUV next week, but it is actually already in production and should be in the hands of customers by the end of the year.

That said, it’s a concept that looks promising and BMW is already talking about bringing a version to production.

The form factor is certainly appealing and if BMW can tone down some of the design accents that scream “concept vehicle” for the production version, it would likely be successful.

Though it looks like the electric crossover space will be buzzing with new entries by 2021 and it could become really competitive.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.