BMW Vision Neue Klasse Concept Previews Future Production EVs

BMW Vision Neue Klasse bows in as the marque's latest EV concept model

BMW has unveiled yet another EV concept model, following the BMW i Vision Dee concept previewed many moons ago. Making its first public appearance at the IAA Mobility 2023 (Munich Motor Show) this weekend is the BMW Vision Neue Klasse – an all-new EV concept model that will serve as a preview for future BMW EVs.

The Vision Neue Klasse features the latest iteration of BMW's signature kidney grille design

At one glance, the Vision Neue Klasse bears several similarities to the i Vision Dee, particularly on its front end. The front fascia gets the same ‘shark nose’ front hood, as well as the illuminated horizontal kidney grille design that spans all the way out to the end, only to be flanked by slanted LED DRLs. Completing the Vision Neue Klasse’s snubby front end is the upturned black diffuser at the bottom, giving this concept EV a sportier stance than the i Vision Dee.

Similar to the i Vision Dee, the Vision Neue Klasse boasts a traditional, three-box sedan layout

On the side, you’ll see that the Vision Neue Klasse boasts a typical three-box saloon silhouette, featuring a somewhat sporty roofline with rakish front windscreen and elongated A-pillar that ends rather abruptly at the rear. This EV saloon also gets snazzier 21-inch wheels with spoke design inspired by the classic BMW M racecars.

At the tailgate, this EV concept boasts almost full-width taillights that are intended to match the extended front grille design, featuring horizontal lighting signature that mimics the front kidney grille insert design. Said lights are flanking the new and more minimalistic BMW emblem which is printed directly onto the tailgate. Similar to the front, the back end also gets a sporty rear diffuser, finished in black.

Full panoramic glass roof and new BMW iDrive infotainment system with interactive HUD are the key highlights of the Vision Neue Klasse's cabin

The minimalist theme continues as we step inside the Vision Neue Klasse’s cabin, featuring a full panoramic glass roof with a four-seater layout. It gets the latest BMW iDrive infotainment system, which is projected via the car’s trapezoidal-shaped central display. Said display crowns as the centre of its sleek two-tone front dash, which also houses the steering wheel, with no sights of the digital instrument cluster anywhere.

Both drivers and front passengers will get the full-width HUD known as the BMW Panoramic Vision

Said component is deemed obsolete, as the new iDrive system comes with BMW’s proprietary ‘Panoramic Vision’ feature, which is basically a virtual digital instrument cluster. Similar to HUDs, the driver’s essential displays are projected directly in the driver’s line of sight on the windscreen.

Aside from drivers, passengers can also get the same Panoramic Vision being projected onto their side of the windscreen. Controllable via hand gestures, this allows the passenger to access infotainment features, should they think the central infotainment display is not ‘big’ enough.

As expected, the Vision Neue Klasse will be the most efficient BMW EV yet, featuring the next-gen BMW eDrive technology

This ‘almost monolithic’ design approach is not for aesthetic reasons per se, as BMW claims the Vision Neue Klasse’s sleek and minimalist design yields it with better aerodynamic performance. This translates to up to 30% increase of maximum EV range, as well as 25% better energy efficiency than any of the current BMW i EVs. Coupled with the next-gen BMW eDrive technology, the Vision Neue Klasse also promises 20% higher energy density and 30% faster charging rate compared to current BMW EVs.

While the estimated EV range figure remains disclosed for now, BMW said that its initial claim of building an EV with 1,000 KM maximum EV range is not far-fetched, citing that the Vision Neue Klasse might be able to at least grasp that target figure. Said new eDrive system will be manufactured in BMW’s new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, which promises to be free from any usage of fossil fuels.

More importantly, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse won’t be a concept vehicle intended to appease the crowd, as the Bavarian marque is actually planning to introduce a production version of it. Set to be produced later in 2025 at the same BMW Hungary plant as its eDrive component, the production version of the Vision Neue Klasse is bound to hit the road as early as 2026. Other details like pricing, EV range, powertrain specs and more will be unveiled once we get closer to the production deadline.