Vision Neue Klasse is the inspiration for future BMWs

Carmakers go absolutely crazy with concept models. Some releases are out of this world, while others toe the line between reality and fiction. The latter is where we find the BMW Vision Neue Klasse. It is a model that dares to dream but has its wheels firmly on the ground, which is why Oliver Zipse (Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG) calls this model something that “will impact all model generations (of the brand).”

Even at first glance, you would not mistake the Vision Neue Klasse as a car from the future. It bears a redesigned BMW kidney grille, the Hofmeister kink of the side window graphic, and the forward-slanting “shark nose” front end, which are all characteristic of the marque’s models. The wheel arches are bigger to accommodate the 21-inch wheels.

What sets Vision Neue Klasse apart from the current crop of BMWs is the higher percentage of secondary raw materials and significantly reduced material variety that will help optimize the recycling of the vehicles. It is manufactured without fossil fuels and with much wider use of raw and secondary materials produced with reduced CO2.

“The exterior showcases design elements that will define the different Neue Klasse models. It is clear, elegant, and timeless. The new, fully electric vehicle architecture also opens up new possibilities for interior design. The design of the Neue Klasse is typically BMW and so progressive it looks like we skipped a model generation,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design.

BMW enhances the human-car connection in the cabin with the next-generation iDrive. There are fewer physical controls as the new system now uses voice and gesture input. The iDrive controller in the center console as the heads-up display shows information into the driver's line of sight and across the width of the windshield using BMW Panoramic Vision. Both the driver and front passenger can interact with information displayed on BMW Panoramic Vision with a simple gesture.

The sixth-generation eDrive technology has newly developed round battery cells, with more than 20 percent higher energy density than prismatic cells. The sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology will improve the charging speed for Neue Klasse models by up to 30 percent, in addition to boosting their range by up to 30 percent. The vehicle design optimizes weight, air, and rolling resistance, and has intelligent heat management to increase efficiency by up to 25 percent.

‘Neue Klasse’ is German for a new class, and this vehicle certainly fits the bill. BMW has something good cooking up at the Debrecen plant, and we certainly cannot wait to see how it improves all its models moving forward.