This is what the next generation of BMW cars will look like, called Neue Klasse Vision
It heralds the company’s new aspirations for a new era – an era that will largely focus on the company’s deep path toward electric vehicles with all-new custom architecture.
It is no coincidence that this concept follows a naming tradition introduced in the 1960s when the original Neue Klasse served as the brand’s driver-centric sports blueprint for decades to come. With the Neue Klasse Vision, the Bavarian company is showing the public what it expects its next range of vehicles to look and perform.
Future BMW EVs will be based on the Neue Klasse platform, with six new models confirmed to be launched between 2025 and 2027 and the Vision Neue Klasse previews the first entrant – a small electric sedan with a similar footprint to the current 3 Series, which will enter production within two years.
Maintaining BMW design pillars
Have you ever seen the memes about how BMW’s ever-expanding grilles will take over the entire front of the car? Well, it looks like they weren’t far off. But look closely, and you’ll find that many design elements found in older BMWs have survived the downgrade.
At the front, the dual kidney ‘grilles’ can display 3D animation, which will play whenever the driver walks towards the car. Headlights are integrated into the design, which – despite losing the round/square graphic that has been prevalent for years – retains the dual elements. Also noteworthy is the “shark nose” – a return to the traditional BMW design of the 1970s and 1980s.
Perhaps the biggest setback is the low beltline and large glass area – two factors that improve visibility and ease of use. The aforementioned beltline ends with BMW’s traditional ‘Hofmeister Kink’, while the E Ink elements at the bottom of the side windows also appear in the exterior welcome sequence.
The look is completed by muscular wheel arches, which house aerodynamic 21-inch wheels, the concept has been painted in an interesting shade of luminous color, dubbed ‘Joyous Bright’, and finally, at the back, those trick taillights have been 3D printed It is distributed on several levels with a design that shows depth.
A new generation of iDrive systems
Three big factors of the Neue Klasse Vision’s interior design are the buttons, chrome, and leather.
Inside, there’s plenty of space for four people and, in the newer production model, seating for five. The low weight, combined with comprehensive aerodynamic measures, should ensure that the production cars of the 3 Series meet efficiency requirements.
Cowhide has been avoided in an effort to improve the car’s carbon footprint, and we’ll just assume that producing chrome requires more resources than we thought.
Instead of leather, you’ll find glossy fabric on the seats, while the front seats themselves are designed to be anchored to the floor via a single brace. BMW says this design option frees up interior space for rear passengers.
Interaction with the car is carried out through the BMW Panoramic View and central display. Controls on the steering wheels (the only sign of any buttons in this interior) help the user navigate the central iDrive screen The panoramic view takes the traditional infotainment system one step further. It displays information at a height that perfectly matches the driver across the entire width of the windshield. In driving situations, the 3D BMW Head-Up Display displays information such as driving assistance or traffic guidance.
Power and efficiency
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse is not just another concept looking to make a splash in the showroom; It provides a real insight into not only the design of the next generation of Bimmers but also how they operate.
The company’s sixth-generation eDrive technology is at the forefront of this charge, promising a 30 percent improvement in range and similar gains in charging speed. These are bold claims, but with round battery cells said to have 20 percent higher energy density than previous ones, it looks like BMW might be on to something.
Overall goal? Delivering strong performance while increasing efficiency. But the big question remains: Can the next range of BMW cars achieve a balance between these developments without losing the driving pleasure for which the brand is famous? The answer to that remains to be seen
Production set for 2025
Production of the first Neue Klasse EV will begin in 2025 in Debrecen, Hungary. The new electric vehicle is said to completely avoid fossil fuels in the manufacturing process, focusing on using materials with low CO2 emissions and an innovative end-of-life recycling-friendly design.
The sedan will be followed by an SUV and four other electric cars, which we expect to see previews of in the coming months.
So, has BMW been able to achieve this goal with the “near-production” concept or is it outside the norm? Come down in the comments to let us know how you feel.
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