BMW recently unveiled the Vision Neue Klasse concept at the Munich Motor Show, offering a tantalizing preview of BMW’s electric future. This concept marks a significant shift in both exterior and interior design, coupled with the introduction of cutting-edge drivetrain technology.
BMW’s Bold Electric Ambitions
By the close of 2023, BMW plans to have electric vehicles available in all major market segments. Their aim is to make more than a quarter of their global sales electric by 2025, with this figure rising to a third just a year later. With their existing lineup of electric sedans and SUVs well on track to achieve these goals, BMW is now turning its attention to a radical new family of EVs.
This new lineup is named ‘Neue Klasse,’ a nod to the premium sedans and coupés that transformed the brand in the 1960s. BMW will introduce six Neue Klasse EVs within a 24-month window, catering to different market segments. CEO Oliver Zipse promises, “From SUVs to sedans, we will have something for every customer.”
The first of these new vehicles is anticipated to be a striking sedan similar in size to the 3 Series. While the Vision Neue Klasse concept doesn’t directly foreshadow a production model, it offers strong hints about the direction of this pioneering EV.
A Fresh Design Approach
Under the surface, these new sedans and their counterparts will bear little resemblance to BMW’s current EVs. A technological revolution is underway, marked by a completely new design treatment that departs from established norms while retaining some key elements for the new era.
The exterior design of the Vision Neue Klasse represents an evolution of the outlandish i Vision Dee concept unveiled earlier in the year. It features a “clear, elegant, timeless” aesthetic with notable features like broader, horizontally oriented kidney grilles, expansive side windows, sleek LED lighting, and a “monolithic” silhouette. According to design chief Domagoj Dukec, this approach is “much cleaner in its surfacing and details” compared to recent BMW models, not only providing a fresh and futuristic look but also simplifying production.
The front end is described as a “single interaction area,” with animated headlights and integrated sensors for driver assistance functions. BMW aims to utilize light to reinforce its identity, even replacing chrome with light in certain aspects. The ‘grille’ panels may display charging status or direction indicators, while the light clusters could change colors and designs based on the selected driving mode.
Despite the dominance of SUVs in BMW’s global sales, the Vision Neue Klasse and i Vision Dee concepts focus on sedans, reflecting BMW’s belief in the continued relevance of flat, low cars, especially in the sedan segment.
Minimalist Interiors and Technological Advancements
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The interiors of Neue Klasse EVs will stand apart from current models with minimalist cockpits featuring minimal physical controls, including the removal of the iconic iDrive rotary control knob. Instead, users will interact with the system through a central touchscreen, BMW’s voice-activated Intelligent Personal Assistant, and a new Panoramic Vision head-up display that extends across the windshield, providing information at the ideal height for both driver and front passenger.
Operated primarily via a switch on the right-hand spoke of the steering wheel, users can transfer content from the touchscreen to the holographic projection using a swiping gesture. The concept showcases bright yellow corduroy upholstery, a chunky squared-off steering wheel, and a ‘floating’ center console with a wireless phone charger. Additionally, BMW emphasizes that each front seat is supported by just one bracket, offering more space for rear passengers’ feet.
Advanced Technical Details
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While specific technical details of BMW’s next-generation EV platform are yet to be unveiled, R&D boss Frank Weber has stated that it will deliver “30 percent more range, 30 percent faster charging, and 25 percent more efficiency” compared to current models. The new Gen6 lithium-ion batteries, featuring cylindrical cells, will be 20 percent more energy-dense, capable of charging at up to 270 kW (adding 300 km in just 10 minutes), and ultimately providing up to 1000 km of range.
Moreover, changes to the battery design and production processes are expected to reduce costs by as much as 50 percent, potentially impacting the final prices of BMW’s EVs. However, BMW has not disclosed the pricing for the Neue Klasse vehicles.
Production of these EVs will commence at BMW’s environmentally conscious factory in Debrecen, Hungary. This facility will operate without fossil fuels, rely more on secondary materials, and have a lower CO2 output, aligning with BMW’s commitment to sustainability.
