BMW's Vision Neue Klasse EV Concept to preview future lineup on September 2
Few brands evoke the kind of passionate devotion that BMW does. Known for its distinctive design and powerful performance, the German automaker is now setting the stage for a revolution in the world of electric vehicles with the production-ready Neue Klasse EV. The countdown has begun for its grand unveiling on September 2, almost six decades after the original Neue Klasse models changed the face of the company.
Imagine this: the year is 1962, and BMW is on the cusp of a radical transformation. The Neue Klasse models, with their innovative design, set the wheels in motion for the company's subsequent success. Fast forward to today, BMW is prepping to replicate this feat with a futuristic, electric version. Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, expressed his confidence that the production of Neue Klasse will turn the same visionary corner.
Don't mistake the Neue Klasse for a singular product, though. It's an electric vehicle platform, expected to underpin at least six different models within 24 months of its debut. A Mini-branded crossover could also hop onto this platform later in the decade. We're looking at an electric sedan inspired by the 'i Vision Dee' as the first model, followed by a compact SUV.
Production for the first Neue Klasse EV is set to begin in 2025 in Debrecen, Hungary, and extend to Munich and Shenyang, China, by 2026. Even Mexico is getting in on the action, with a hefty ̣$855-million expansion of the Plant San Luis Potosí scheduled for 2027.
The Neue Klasse models are expected to flaunt BMW's Gen 6 battery technology. That's a 30% improvement in range, a 50% reduction in production costs, and a dramatic 60% decrease in carbon emissions. These vehicles will support battery capacities between 75 kWh and 150 kWh, and motor outputs will range from 268 hp to a mind-blowing 1,341 hp.
The concept preview from CES 2023, the 'i Vision Dee,' provided a taste of the Neue Klasse design. Sporting a wider version of the BMW kidney grille and a minimalist instrument cluster, it retained BMW's signature Hofmeister kink on the C-pillar, albeit with a sharper angle.
As the world eagerly anticipates the first production Neue Klasse, it's clear that BMW is driving full speed into the future. This isn't just about new cars - it's about a new era. In the EV world, the Neue Klasse wants to redefine what it means to be 'The Ultimate Driving Machine.'
Fun fact: Did you know that the original BMW Neue Klasse models, launched in the 1960s, are credited with saving BMW from financial disaster? It seems the Neue Klasse has a knack for shaking things up.
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