The iNext electric self-driving auto will be, evidently, a high-level premium product, but BMW plans to expand to other more available and mobile services as using a vehicle seems to become more important for city-habitant consumers.
Advertisement
Harald Krueger, the company’s CEO says that while the iNext electric self-driving vehicle has some sub-brands like the i3 EV and i8 hybrid, its iNext avant-garde technology will offer a unique electric powertrain and the situations in which this auto will be able to drive itself are more varied.
“In 2018, we will launch a BMW i8 Roadster”. BMW didn’t provide any specific details about the iNext, though CEO Harald Krueger told shareholders the iNext will be the company’s “new innovation driver, with autonomous driving, digital connectivity, intelligent lightweight design, a totally new interior and ultimately bringing the next generation of electro-mobility to the road”.
In addition to being equipped with an electric drivetrain and autonomous capabilities, Kruger claimed that the vehicle will have “digital connectivity, intelligent lightweight design” and “a totally new interior” that when combined will bring “the next generation of electro-mobility to the road”.
Since this is going to be the flagship model, it’s likely that the technology BMW introduces with the i NEXT will eventually trickle down to BMW’s other models.
BMW is in the midst of shifting strategy under pressure from Tesla, as well as traditional rivals like Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz.
Global manufacturers can sign up, but the Tesla Model S and forthcoming Model X are the only fully electric vehicles which are not eligible for the government incentives.
Advertisement
The iNEXT, as it seems, is part of BMW’s broader plans to push electrification and self-driving technology, and while details on the autonomous auto are still largely unknown, we can expect it to be a feature-rich vehicle. “We have always stressed that our centenary is a springboard to the future”.
