In Munich, Germany, the BMW Group held future product reveals for both MINI and BMW at the 2023 IAA Mobility Festival. Specifically, the Bavarian automaker highlighted the innovative BMW Vision Neue Klasse that marks the manifestation of the third Vision Vehicle, an expansion from the Vision i Dee showcased at the CES Show earlier this year in Las Vegas.
The electrified and digitized concept will come to fruition in 2025 with six SUV and sedan variants featuring 30% more driving range, 30% faster charging times, and a 25% increase in overall efficiency thanks to futuristic design techniques, the reduction of needless materials and weight, and of course the implementation of BMW’s EfficientDynamics processing. For example, BMW will center on aluminum and composites, replacing chrome with lighting (especially the front fascia), swapping door handles for sensors, and reducing the scope of the grille with an illuminated variant as size becomes less important in the world of electric cars.
Additionally, the latest BMW Vision is sculpted with aggressive wheel arches, large windows, a forward-slanting “shark nose” front end, and short overhangs with a strong emphasis on the 21” aerodynamic wheels since the driving experience will remain BMW’s focus. You can thank the company’s 6th-generation BMW eDrive technology since it instills extra efficiency and driving gratification from new electric motors and breakthrough rounded battery cells.
I spoke in detail with BMW designers and developers, including head of BMW Group Design Adrian van Hooydonk, who provided a deeper perspective into the sustainable and digitized platform. Neue Klasse, a digital and mobility philosophy, will become the blueprint for all next-generation models as this transformation marks the largest pool of resources BMW has ever invested in a technology movement. The BMW M brand will also integrate with Neue Klasse, so expect increased levels of ultimate driving.
“The BMW Vision Neue Klasse combines our ability to innovate in the core areas of electrification, digitalization, 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.”
BMW has transformed the vehicle into a digital companion inside the spacecraft-like cockpit. Here is where visions turn into reality, first through BMW Panoramic Vision and next through the next-generation BMW iDrive that meshes virtual and real worlds. Over 20 million BMWs are already connected to the cloud; thus, transitioning to Neue Klasse will be a simple process. It begins with information projected through BMW Panoramic Vision, similar to a Head-Up Display, across the entire windshield. The immersive digital experience pairs with a Central Display, voice-controlled BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, and multifunctioning steering wheel controls. Expect a minimalist gauge cluster and an array of widgets on the BMW Panoramic Vision to lead the next cornerstone of BMW iDrive, which will help keep your eyes on the road.
The illuminating environment utilizes soft colors for comfort and replaces decorative chrome and leather with plant-based materials. The interior is clean, cozy, warm, and welcoming. As with the MINI brand, BMW may incorporate 3D knitting in the form of sustainable cloth.
Since we are a mobile society, mobility has become the cornerstone of personal freedom and progress through innovation and sustainability. From CO2 reduction to recycled textiles and metals, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse makes individual mobility more human. Nevertheless, you will not have to wait long; the BMW platform will take precedence in just two short years.
