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Electric crossover due in 2021 previewed by concept with bold styling and lounge-like interior

The BMW Vision iNext has been revealed officially just a day after photos of it were leaked online.

According to Harald Kruger, BMW’s CEO, the Vision iNext answers the question: “What does a vehicle look like which no longer needs to be driven by a person but can be if desired?”

The car has two driving modes: Boost for human driving, and autonomous Ease mode. When operating autonomously, the steering wheel is retracted, and the front headrest can be folded back to allow for easier engagement with those sitting in the back.

Despite having a “generously sized cockpit”, the iNext seats only four people, with bucket seats up front, and a one-piece bench at the rear.

The interior has been designed as a “modern, high-end living space” with a patterned wooden floor, a panoramic glass roof, matte wood and crystal for the centre console, and cloth for the rear seats, dashboard and side panels.

While the company hasn’t provided any details about the concept’s drivetrain, we do know the iNext rides on 24-inch alloy wheels. The car also features built-in assistant which answers to the phrase “Hey BMW”, large touchscreen displays, and interactive projection screens.

Underlining the car’s conceptual nature, it does without a B-pillar, has cameras instead of wing mirrors, is fitted with rear suicide doors, and has a touch-sensitive area instead of traditional door handles.

The production version of the iNext is scheduled to start trundling down the line at the company’s Dingolfing factory some time in 2021.

BMW’s assault on the electric vehicle sector begins in 2019 when it launches an all-electric variant of the Mini three-door hatch. This will be followed a production version of the iX3 in 2020. The company expects to have 12 fully electric models on sale by 2025.