BMW will launch six all-new electrical autos primarily based on its Neue Klasse (New Class) structure by the tip of the last decade, the primary of which shall be a crossover, adopted by a sedan.
In accordance with Automotive Information, the primary Neue Klasse-based EV shall be referred to as iX3 and shall be roughly the identical dimension because the current-generation combustion-powered X3 that’s being bought in the USA. It’s price noting, nonetheless, that BMW additionally at the moment sells an iX3-badged battery-powered model of the X3 in different elements of the world, so we count on the brand new era will change the present mannequin.
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BMW prepares its new-gen EV offensive
BMW’s next-generation EVs, that are primarily based on the Neue Klasse structure, shall be spearheaded by a crossover SUV and a four-door sedan, in keeping with Automotive Information.
As per the supply, the iX3 that’s primarily based on the Neue Klasse structure carries the NA5 codename, and is slated to debut in late 2025 with manufacturing set to be dealt with by the corporate’s new European manufacturing unit in Hungary. An extended-wheelbase model often called the NA6 shall be in-built China.
Subsequent up shall be a 3 Sequence-sized all-electric sedan codenamed NA0 that may go into manufacturing in 2026 on the BMW plant in Munich, Germany. This may reportedly carry badges like i320 or i330 relying on their energy output, whereas the combustion-powered 3 Sequence fashions will lose the “i” and “d” suffixes which might be at the moment used to explain gasoline- and diesel-powered variations respectively. (, 330i, 330d, and so forth.)
However there’s far more to return on the Neue Klasse entrance.
Extra Electrical Fashions Coming
The following mannequin, in keeping with Automotive Information, shall be a coupe-like sedan codenamed NA7 that shall be referred to as the iX4, which is anticipated to debut in 2026, adopted by a station wagon model that’s due a yr later. Nonetheless, the naming scheme isn’t actually in-line with the opposite fashions.
InsideEVs couldn’t affirm this with BMW, however we’d argue the iX4 shall be a coupe-like crossover very similar to the present X4 is the sportier model of the X3.
If it is going to certainly be a coupe-styled sedan, our cash is on the i4 moniker, identical to at the moment, solely primarily based on the brand new structure.
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The sixth mannequin codenamed NB5 is anticipated to switch the iX1 compact crossover, and there’s discuss of a smaller, 1-Sequence-like electrical hatchback in keeping with our sources, however the firm hasn’t made up its thoughts but about it.
An all-electric M3 sports activities sedan can also be within the works and will have as much as 1,000 horsepower courtesy of a quad-motor setup much like that fitted to a modified i4 M50 prototype that’s supposedly able to doing so-called tank turns due to its individually managed motors.
BMW already has a handful of all-electric autos on sale, together with in the USA the place it presents the i4, i5, and i7 four-door sedans, in addition to the iX SUV. So what units this Neue Klasse structure other than the present tech?
A Critical Electrical Improve
For starters, the platform has been developed from the bottom up with all-electric autos in thoughts, integrating batteries within the construction of the automobile as a substitute of putting them on a plate that sits on the ground. Moreover, the working voltage is way larger than it’s now, with the modular battery packs rated round 800 volts, which is able to assist obtain larger charging speeds of as much as 270 kilowatts.
![BMW round battery cell (right) side-by-side- with a prismatic battery cell (left)](https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png)
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This platform additionally makes use of a brand new sort of battery cells. BMW at the moment makes use of prismatic cells whereas Neue Klasse-based EVs will make use of cylindrical cells that have been developed in-house by the German model and are touted as being extra energy-dense as their predecessors, providing as much as 30% extra power in the identical footprint. Value can also be a speaking level; like all automakers, BMW is ready to make use of new manufacturing strategies to get the manufacturing costs down.
BMW says that the so-called Gen 6 cylindrical cells have the potential to chop manufacturing prices in half all whereas providing roughly 500 miles of driving vary on a full cost on some fashions.
This doesn’t essentially imply that the promoting worth shall be decrease, seeing how we’re coping with a luxurious model right here, however we might see extra vary, extra energy, and better charging speeds in a few years at roughly the identical worth as at the moment’s electrical choices from BMW.