Vision Neue Klasse X Marks the Most Radical Redesign BMW Has Attempted in Modern History

Sixty years ago, when the auto industry struggled to overcome the 1950s financial crisis, a new class of BMW models saved the company from bankruptcy. The BMW Neue Klasse (New Class) models launched in 1962 and beyond were a radical departure from anything BMW had done until then. The success was so huge that only one year after the launch of the BMW 1500, the company could pay dividends for the first time in 20 years.

BMW is now ready to open a new chapter by launching a new generation of radically changed models. It's no wonder BMW calls it Neue Klasse, especially as it marks the introduction of a new generation of electric vehicles underpinned by a new EV-dedicated modular platform. The present-day Neue Klasse models bring more than that, though: they introduce a new design language that will change the BMW brand's identity forever.

Today, BMW offered us a taste of the new breed of electric vehicles with the launch of the Vision Neue Klasse X concept. This previews the successor of the iX3, and, given how polished this concept is, it should enter production almost unchanged. Buckle up because there is a lot to digest from the Vision Neue Klasse X concept, both in terms of design and features.

BMW Vision Neue Klasse X: The design

Seen from the front, the Vision Neue Klasse X conveys a sense of belonging, linking the brand's glorious past with its promising future. It features a tall but reasonably small kidney grille modeled after the one introduced in the past Neue Klasse models. The headlights are also a metaphor for the double headlamps of the era, featuring two slanted daylight running lights on each side. The headlights and the illuminated grille are part of the welcome light effects that activate as the driver approaches the car.

BMW offers the Vision Neue Klasse X a muscular stance, with bulging wheel arches and powerful proportions. Towards the rear, we see a reinterpretation of the famous Hofmeister Kink, this time emphasized by "reflective print" instead of a chromed trim. Depending on the view angle, the surface becomes transparent or reflective.

The taillights offer a modern interpretation of the familiar BMW L-shaped lights, with horizontal optic blocks stretching toward the center. The 3D-printed elements are individually controlled and feature variable light intensity for a graphical depth effect.

A radically redesigned cockpit

If you think the exterior design is polarizing, look inside the cabin. Although this is still a concept, we expect the user experience to remain largely unchanged in the production model. BMW breaks with the past and ditches most physical buttons for a clean, touchscreen-heavy interface. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will also leverage voice control to interact with the car. The center infotainment screen is integrated into the dashboard, offering both the driver and the passenger access to the infotainment functions.

Besides the redesigned steering wheel, which includes multifunctional controls, the most obvious change is the integration of the BMW Panoramic Vision. This is an information strip stretching over the windshield's full width used to project key information related to the drive. Consider it an instrument panel on steroids, able to display a wide range of information for both the driver and the passengers. Series-production models will also feature the BMW 3D Head-Up Display.

Personal Sound Experience complements the user experience, offering a personalized sound adjustable via the HyPersonX Wheel. The sound is generated in real-time, turning the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X's cabin into a personal experience space.

Sixth-generation BMW eDrive promises unparalleled efficiency

Designed from the ground up as an EV-only architecture, Neue Klasse EVs feature new cylindrical cells and an 800-volt electrical system. The round cells promise a 20% higher energy density by volume compared to the prismatic cells used in current BMW electric vehicles. Like Tesla, BMW will use bigger cells with a 46 mm diameter, but they will be taller, at 95 mm or 120 mm (Tesla's 4680 cells are 80 mm tall).

The 800-volt architecture and the bigger cells will allow Neue Klasse EVs to offer a 30% improvement in charging speed. This means a 10-minute charge will add 300 km (186 miles) of range. And because the new architecture offers a significant boost in efficiency compared to existing models, it also provides 30% more range than previous generation EVs.

This achievement is possible thanks to improved aerodynamics, with a wind drag that is 20% lower compared to current BMW EV models. This, along with the new efficient tires and a specially designed braking system, contributes to a 25% efficiency boost for the Neue Klasse models.

Software is the brains and soul of the Vision Neue Klasse X

While the hardware is impressive, BMW also promises that the software used to control everything is even more so. Neue Klasse models feature four driving computers to control the propulsion system, driving dynamics, and autonomous driving functions. All are powered by a new software package developed in-house.

Two high-performance processing units are responsible for the Neue Klasse's driving experience. One of them is used to supervise the electric drive units, suspension, steering, and braking. BMW says it offers ten times the processing power of current systems and is largely responsible for creating the driving dynamics BMW customers expect.

A second computer, which BMW calls a "super-brain," will control the driver assistance systems. Later, it will also make a new leap in autonomous driving possible. BMW is one of the few carmakers that offer an SAE Level 3 autonomous driving system on the 7 Series. This allows the car to drive itself unsupervised in specific conditions. The Neue Klasse EVs should bring new self-driving features and, later, Level-4 capabilities.