ABMWWITHBRAINS
MEET the new face of bMW’s lifestyle off- roaders — equipped with ‘super-brains’ as well as brawn.
The German car giant has revealed how the next generation of its ‘sports activity vehicles’ will look and perform when the first of them go into production from next year starting with the X3 and all-electric iX3 — a mid-sized family suV.
Designed with a more minimalist approach, not only will these 4x4s be more advanced, performance-oriented, and fun to drive, they will have longer range, increased ground clearance, faster charging, and up to four ‘super-brains’ (computers).
The prototype is called the bMW Vision Neue Klasse (New
Class) X and it will be the family
face for all future bMW sports activity vehicles or ‘sAVs’ — including all-wheel drive pureelectric, petrol, diesel, hybrid, and even hydrogen.
The first — a new all-electric version of the iX3 — goes into full production at a new ‘ i- Factory’ at Debrecen in Hungary from next year and
are expected in showrooms by the end of 2025.
However, fans of knobs and switches may be dismayed. bMW says that ‘ human- car interaction’ will take place largely through the bMW Panoramic Vision system, the central touchscreen, and buttons on the steering wheel.
I provoked a stir at a prelaunch peek in Portugal when I challenged bMW executives about this rush to touchscreen technology. one confided: ‘This is something that is being heavily discussed in-house.’
let’s see, when the cars hit the road, whether bMW still have their finger on the button.
SKODA has given us an early look at its new entry-level all-electric SUV called Epiq, that is set to cost about £22,000 when it goes on sale next year.
The image is said to be close to the final production model. It revives the spirit of the popular Skoda Yeti sold between 2009 and 2017, which remains a shrewd choice for second-hand buyers.
Auto Express editor Steve Fowler said: ‘Skoda fans will immediately draw comparisons with the popular Yeti SUV that was axed amongst uproar in 2017.’
Though slightly shorter than the Yeti, the Epiq has more boot space, with 490 litres compared to the Yeti’s 416 litres. The modern interior includes a large central touchscreen.