The BMW Group revealed its latest design concept, the vision Neue Klasse, on Aug. 2, showcasing what the next generation of vehicles from its core brand will look like. The design is distinctly different from BMW's recent efforts that drew so much ridicule with its huge grille design. WhichEV was over in Munich for the presentation.
Neue Klasse models will come with 30% more range, 30% faster charging and 25% more efficiency, according to the company. The vision vehicle, which will be unveiled for the first time in public at the IAA Mobility 2023 International Motor Show in Munich, embodies a clear design language, with expansive surfaces and just a few distinctive lines, that has been pared down to the essentials, the German auto giant said.
The Bavarian company is expecting to launch seven new products under the Neue Klasse banner before the end of 2027. One thing you will notice in our photos, is that the traditional ‘printer mark' blue badge is missing. Instead, BMW's brand has been etched into the metal. That's not to say that things won't change before production, but – for now – this Neue Klasse really does offer new lines.
The concept combines the group’s ability to innovate in the core areas of electrification, digitalisation and circularity, according to Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.
Increased use of secondary raw materials, resource-efficient production and a fully-electric drive train with sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology reduces the carbon footprint of the Neue Klasse across the vehicle lifecycle, the company said.
The vehicle features powerful wheel arches, the retracted greenhouse and steeply forward-slanting shark nose front-end. It has 21-inch aerodynamic wheels, large window areas, double headlights, 3D-printed rear lights.
Analogue operating controls have been reduced to a minimum in the Neue Klasse. Human-car interaction takes place through the panoramic vision, the central display and multifunction buttons on the steering wheel. The user experience is rounded out by the voice control of the intelligent personal assistant.
The front seats are attached to the floor by a single bracket, freeing up additional legroom in the rear compartment. The design of the interior is completely free of decorative chrome or leather, and helps optimise the carbon footprint of the production process.
High energy efficiency during the vehicle use phase will be ensured by optimising weight, air and rolling resistance, as well as through intelligent heat management, especially for the electric drivetrain, using sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology, the release added.
In addition to highly efficient electric motors, major advances in the new BMW eDrive technology include newly-developed round battery cells, with more than 20% higher energy density than that of the prismatic cells previously used.
In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles worldwide. The net profit for the year was €23.5 billion on revenues amounting to €142.6 billion, the company said.
