A vision for the future of BMW: electric, digital and sustainable. Minimalist design featuring the signature BMW elements. The newest BMW iDrive taking users between the physical and the virtual. Sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology for improved performance and driving pleasure.
Through the BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept, the BMW Group is displaying the design of the next generation of BMW vehicles.
“The BMW Vision Neue Klasse combines our ability to innovate in the core areas of electrification, digitalisation and circularity,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “In this way, we are always able to stay two steps ahead of the future: The Neue Klasse is already bringing the mobility of the next decade to the roads in 2025 – and leading BMW into a new era.
Debuting at IAA Mobility 2023, the Vision Vehicle has a minimalist design, featuring iconic elements such as the BMW kidney grille and Hofmeister kink. Inside, the car features the advanced BMW iDrive, delivering a seamless digital experience. Additionally, its electric drive train and use of eco-friendly materials means it has a low carbon footprint.
“30 percent more range, 30 percent faster charging, 25 percent more efficiency – the Neue Klasse represents a major technological leap that will take EfficientDynamics to new heights. The same applies to its design – which could not be any more futuristic,” says Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “With the Neue Klasse, we have embarked on the biggest investment in the company’s history. We are not just writing the next chapter of BMW; we’re writing a whole new book. That’s why the Neue Klasse will certainly impact all model generations.”
BMW’s new design language:
The exterior features design elements that will define the various Neue Klasse models. It’s clear, elegant, timeless. The all-electric vehicle’s new architecture also opens up new possibilities for interior design. “The design of the Neue Klasse is so quintessentially BMW and so progressive that it feels like we’ve skipped a generation of models,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, Design Director, BMW Group. Strong wheel arches, a retractable greenhouse and a straight forward sloping “shark nose” front end are all distinctive BMW elements. The 21-inch aerodynamic wheels pay homage to the classic sports car-inspired cross-spoke design. At the same time, the body is almost monolithic with solid concave lines at the front and rear as well as large glass surfaces creating a new aesthetic.
The luminous exterior paint “Joyous Bright” with subtle yellow tones highlights the friendly and forward-looking personality of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse. Contrast is created by the side skirts and bumpers in black. With a higher proportion of secondary raw materials and a significantly reduced variety of materials, targeted improvements have been made to enhance circularity. The improved dismantling concept will also help optimize the recycling of Neue Klasse vehicles.
A new interpretation of the brand’s iconic design elements, such as the BMW grille and dual headlights, transforms the front of the car into a single interactive zone. The lighting effect with precise three-dimensional animation will initiate the visual interaction between the man and the vehicle as soon as he approaches the vehicle. The E Ink elements located in the lower part of the side windows also feature external reception, drawing attention to the sensor area that activates the auto-opening feature. Advanced technology also defines the design of the taillights, with 3D printed light elements spread across multiple levels and purposefully controlled to create a unique sense of depth.
New generation BMW iDrive.
The same control commands have been kept to a minimum on the BMW Vision Neue Klasse. Human-vehicle interaction takes place through BMW Dome Vision, the central display and multi-function buttons on the steering wheel. The user experience is enhanced by the proven voice control capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. The next generation of BMW iDrive thus offers a modern interpretation of the brand’s signature driver orientation. As it did with the introduction of the BMW iDrive controller in the center console and the BMW Head-Up Display, the brand is once again leading the world with BMW Panoramic Vision, which will be available for the first time on Neue Class. Information is projected at the ideal height in the driver’s field of vision and, for the first time, across the entire width of the windshield. This innovation will complement the improved BMW Head-Up Windshield Display on production Neue Klasse models.
In the next generation of BMW iDrive, the driver and front passenger can interact with the information displayed on the BMW Panoramic Vision, creating a shared user experience. The driver can move the content displayed on the central display to the BMW Panoramic Vision with a simple gesture. The harmonious combination of ambient lighting and the graphic elements of the center display and the BMW Ambient View System enriches the user experience – which can also be personalized with My Mode. In my “Sport” Mode, specific screens are placed against a yellow background to promote dynamic driving. The new BMW iDrive is based on a highly integrated software architecture that merges data related to the driving experience and infotainment with data from the vehicle’s electrical and electronic systems and from the BMW Cloud. As a result, the human-vehicle interaction can be even more adapted to the driving situation and individual needs, thereby creating a whole new perception of mobility.
Velvet fabric creates a cozy atmosphere inside the BMW Vision Neue Klasse. The brightly colored instrument panel supports the upper and lower flat steering wheel as well as the center display with parallelogram matrix backlighting. Smartphone charging dock and glass space for the gear lever on the center console. The front seats are fixed to the floor by a single support bar, thereby freeing up more legroom in the rear compartment, where passengers can take advantage of the space created by the presence of two individual seats. The interior design is completely free of chrome or leather trim, which optimizes the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process.
These innovations ensure BMW’s signature driving pleasure for future generations.
Electrification, digitization and circulation are central elements of the transformation actively shaped by the BMW Group and beginning with the electrified models of the BMW i brand. The BMW i Vision Circular highlights the huge potential that can be exploited by systematically implementing a circular economy in order to reduce raw material consumption and CO2 emissions. Meanwhile, the BMW i Vision Dee shows how human-centered digital technology can enrich the user experience.
All these themes have now been brought together in the BMW Vision Neue Klasse, a vehicle representing all the technological innovations through which the BMW Group embodies its future sustainability. The BMW Vision Neue Klasse marks the beginning of a new era of rich personal mobility with digital experiences, zero local emissions and long-term detours – ensuring the driving pleasure that is characteristic of BMW BMW for generations to come.
