Gasoline or electrical, future BMWs will share a unified design
Upcoming Neue Klasse electrical autos (EVs) set the stage for the design of conventional gasoline fashions as nicely. In 2024, BMW surpassed each Audi and Mercedes-Benz in electrical car gross sales, reaching a outstanding whole.
Throughout a current media roundtable at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Frank Weber, BMW’s chief improvement officer, emphasised the core philosophy behind BMW’s id: “A BMW is a BMW,” stating that the model’s basic ideas stay unchanged whatever the car’s energy supply.
Weber is targeted not solely on the upcoming Neue Klasse EVs scheduled for launch later this yr, but in addition on how these designs will apply to gas-powered fashions. He articulated the idea that the design of a car shouldn’t be dictated by its gas sort. “We are able to solely have one design,” he asserted, additional clarifying that there isn’t any distinction in design philosophy between inner combustion engine (ICE) automobiles and battery electrical automobiles.
He identified the potential pitfalls of getting separate designs for EVs and conventional autos, as one might find yourself feeling fashionable whereas the opposite appears old style. BMW intends to keep away from advertising and marketing one sort of car as “extra fashionable” than the opposite.
Not like different producers, BMW is adopting a cohesive design philosophy throughout each ICE and battery-electric autos. Whereas there could also be refined variances like grille shapes or rear diffusers, the general design language stays constant, as showcased within the present 5-Sequence and 7-Sequence lineups. Upcoming Neue Klasse EVs will undertake the same design aesthetic alongside their gasoline counterparts.
Weber talked about that fully separating EV design from gasoline fashions represents a major misstep within the business. Though BMW has beforehand experimented with distinct designs—such because the futuristic i3 and the eye-catching i8 plug-in sports activities automotive—the iX crossover SUV could function a hyperlink between in the present day’s gas-powered lineup and tomorrow’s Neue Klasse EVs.
In 2024, audi reported promoting over 164,000 EVs, and Mercedes-Benz reported 185,100 gross sales, whereas BMW dominated the market with 426,594 items offered. Weber attributed this success to BMW’s technique of offering a constant design expertise throughout all car sorts.
In distinction, Mercedes has shifted to a definite cab-forward design for its EQE and EQS EVs that diverges from their conventional E-Class and S-Class fashions. Conversely, the brand new electrical G-Class maintains a visible resemblance to its gas-powered model, distinguished primarily by completely different wheels and grille design.
Audi’s EV lineup, which options a few SUVs and a four-door sports activities sedan resembling a Porsche, lacks a powerful presence out there in comparison with Mercedes. Their fashions mix extra seamlessly into the general design language of Audi’s choices.
Weber additionally confirmed that regardless of this strategic shift to EVs, BMW will preserve its established hierarchy of number-based mannequin collection, from the 1-Sequence (X1 within the U.S.) to the 7-Sequence. He highlighted the significance of this construction, stating, “That is so treasured that you’ve a sure hierarchy that individuals know what to get.”
In accordance with Weber, many purchasers strategy dealerships with no fastened thought of which powertrain they like, typically asking themselves whether or not they’re able to make the swap to electrical. Making a respectful and accommodating ambiance in dealerships is essential to easing prospects’ decision-making experiences.
BMW sponsored journey and lodging for the reporting of this story.
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