What is BMW Neue Klasse? The electric Neue Klasse to be launched in 2025 as a sedan and sports SUV
Plans are for the Neue Klasse to be launched in 2025 as a sedan and sports SUV, with the Neue Klasse expected to account for half of BMW's global sales by 2030.
The "Neue Klasse" (New Class in English) was a line of compact luxury cars produced by BMW from 1962 to 1977. The cars were built on a new platform and featured a new design language for BMW. The Neue Klasse cars were known for their advanced engineering, handling and performance. They were also known for their high-quality build and luxurious interiors.
The first model of the series was the 1500 and it was followed by the 1600, the 1800 and the 2000. These cars were successful both in terms of sales and in motorsports. They also laid the foundation for future BMW models such as the 3 series and the 5 series.
Now, the company is revealing some key technical features of the Neue Klasse EV electric cars, which will be equipped with a new generation of batteries and motors, with which they will make a "huge technological leap", says Frank Weber, BMW's Chief Technology Officer.
He told CAR magazine that the Neue Klasse EV will rely on a new "pack-to-open-body" concept, which will allow the Bavarians to install cylindrical batteries of different capacities, rather than prismatic ones. This will be complemented by the introduction of new sustainability measures and recycling techniques.
This is particularly important as some of the car's production figures are quite worrying. The brand estimates that by 2050, around $4 trillion will be needed to extract materials, with 45% of emissions resulting from the extraction and use of raw materials, and only 9% of all materials currently being recycled.
New and better batteries for the BMW Neue Klasse
BMW's new electric cars in the Neue Klasse range will cover everything from models the size of the 1 Series all the way up to those of the caliber of the X7. All of them will benefit from batteries with 20% higher energy density, 30% better battery pack efficiency and up to 30% faster charging compared to current batteries.
The new batteries will also be 20% lighter, 50% cheaper to manufacture and emit up to 60% less CO2 emissions during production.
The combination of an 800V system and a fast charger increases the range every minute by 50 km up to a maximum of 605 km,” says Weber. This means that the battery pack can be charged from 0 to 95% in about 12 minutes.
When it comes to power, the Neue Klasse platform will offer from 268 to 1,341 hp, with the architecture allowing for the installation of up to 4 electric motors. BMW M is already testing a prototype with 4 electric motors for the first all-electric BMW M.
But the bulk of the models will rely on one or two synchronous SSM motors. BMW believes that SSM motors offer stable peak power, high energy density, excellent reliability and low noise levels, as well as a 97% efficiency rating.
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Battery packs will range from 75 kWh to 150 kWh, and will be able to offer a range of up to 1,000 km. But Weber clarifies that large battery capacity and long range are not the answer, "because large size and weight are counterproductive."
Instead, BMW will focus on reducing tire drag, improving aerodynamics and increasing on-board energy efficiency. According to Thomas Albrecht, head of the Efficient Dynamics department, the Neue Klasse will allow for a 25% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency. BMW is also working on A+ tires that will reduce road resistance by up to 7%. Further improvements to the braking system should add another 4%.
BMW will hint at the look of the Neue Klasse with the Vision Concept at CES in January.
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