BMW's "New Class" will spawn 6 electric cars
BMW, the automaker celebrated for its spirited driving dynamics, is poised to unveil a slew of electric cars in a radical shift toward battery-driven power. The new lineup dubbed the “New Class” in homage to a transformative period in the company's history, represents more than just a new badge – it’s a complete overhaul of development, production, and BMW’s very identity.
Starting in mid-2025, the first electric Neue Klasse model will be the BMW iX3, an SUV that takes inspiration from the i Vision Dee concept. Shortly after, a reinvented i3 will follow, potentially available in both sedan and wagon versions. BMW's core models - think the ever-popular 3 Series - will embrace the electric future, too, suggesting that gasoline models of today could be relics of the past sooner than we think.
These next-generation EVs will debut a new generation of electric motors, offering rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and delivering between 200 and 500 horsepower. For performance fans, a fire-breathing i3M with over 600 horsepower and a top speed exceeding 155 mph might be in the works.
Source: Reichel Car Design via Focus.de
BMW executives promise substantial leaps in efficiency, too. Thanks to new battery technology, the electric 3 Series of tomorrow could sip electrons at a miserly rate of just 12 – 15 kWh per 62 miles. Faster charging is in the cards as well, with 800-volt electrical systems potentially boosting charging speeds beyond the 200 kW rate possible in today’s models.
But let's be real – there's plenty of room for skepticism. Will diehard BMW enthusiasts embrace cars powered by silence? Will the promised efficiency gains materialize in the real world? And while the raw specifications look promising, can these new electric BMWs deliver the sheer driving pleasure that's synonymous with the brand?
Source: Reichel Car Design via Focus.de
Well, we can actually answer the last question. Back in January we got our hands on the brand new BMW i5 M60 and conducted a fully comprehensive review of it. If you wanna know what it's like to drive an electric BMW, how far it goes on full charge, how fast it really is, and how much room there is for all the passengers and their stuff - read on.
BMW is betting its future on the "New Class." Whether or not it can recapture the hearts of drivers and the attention of the market remains to be seen. We'll leave that to the first wave of test drivers who get behind the wheel once these bold EVs finally hit the road.
Via (German)
