BMW shows off new SUV, the all-electric iX

German automaker BMW has given us an early look at its new battery-driven SUV that offers a glimpse the company's future plans for electric-powered driving.

The iX, previously shown as a concept car under the name iNext, is the company's first vehicle on a new modular platform that is scalable to underpin different models.

“The BMW Group is constantly striving to re-invent itself. That is a central element of our corporate strategy,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “The BMW iX expresses this approach in an extremely concentrated form.”

The iX is a long, sleek vehicle sporting a large twin kidney-shaped grille typical of BMW vehicles, but this being an electric vehicle, the grille doesn’t have airflow duties and instead houses cameras and sensor.

A large panoramic glass roof add to the air of roominess of the 5-seater cabin. Being electric drive, there is no centre tunnel, adding to the open, airy feel while also allowing extra legroom in the front and rear. The displays and controls are all stripped down to the essentials.

The company says the iX will get 600 kilometres on a full charge under the European standard and more than 300 miles under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's FTP-75.

The iX will be produced at the company's plant in Dingolfing, Germany, from the middle of next year and reach customers at the end of 2021.