The BMW Vision Neue Klasse was shown just a few days before the IAA Mobility event in Munich. It is a further step towards the company’s electric vehicle (EV) aims, and it was announced just days before the show. This is not a large SUV like others on the market; instead, it is a sleek and slightly retro-looking car that uses innovative technology to generate an incredibly clever vehicle.
The Vision Neue Klasse is the third significant Vision model that BMW has created in recent years, and it shares a great deal with the Vision Dee model displayed at CES in Las Vegas earlier in 2023. The car has a shark-nose design, which makes me think of the very first generation of BMW’s 3-series and gives it an authentic BMW appearance. Even though it does not have the colour-changing paintwork of the Dee, it still uses the most advanced EV technology currently available to provide what BMW refers to as a human-centred experience.
All passengers, not just the driver, can see the revolutionary interactive head-up display, Panoramic Vision, featured on the Vision Neue Klasse. This display takes advantage of the entire width of the windscreen. This uses the latest version of iDrive to make it possible for all passengers to engage with the system and transfer content between the head-up display and the main screen.
The rest of the interior has been kept to an elementary level except for the single monitor in the middle, the head-up display, and a few buttons on the steering wheel. The front seats are bucket seats, covered in a mustard yellow leatherette that perfectly contrasts the interior’s white colour scheme.
Even the iconic BMW kidney grille is formed by LEDs, resulting in a three-dimensional look; Light is used instead of chrome on the outside of the Vision Neue Klasse. This can be seen on the vehicle’s headlights. Additionally, compared to more recent iterations, the grille on this one is quite a bit narrower, which is sure to please many enthusiasts. The pattern is repeated on the back of the vehicle, with the lights forming a massive band over the car’s width, with the only break in the band being the BMW symbol. Both the primary headlights and the grille are integrated. Instead of being glued or attached to the metal, the emblems on the front and back are embossed.
Small stalks have also replaced the standard wing mirrors on the Neue Klasse, and it seems likely that the images will be projected onto either the Panoramic Vision or some other side screen that has not yet been described. There is no doorknob in this structure. E-ink is instead used on the windows to automatically tell passengers where to press to open the doors from the outside. This information is displayed on the outside of the windows. While this application of e-ink is less entertaining than the complete colour-changing effect, it is undeniably efficient and a much more practical application of the technology.
The concept of efficiency also plays a significant role in the Vision Neue Klasse. Even though specific figures have not been provided for this model, BMW anticipates that the upcoming Neue Klasse vehicles equipped with sixth-generation eDrive technology will have up to 30% quicker charging speeds than the models that are currently on the market, as well as up to 30% more range. This would indicate a range of more than 500 miles and charging speeds of more than 300 kilowatt-hours.
The Vision Neue Klasse is a much more realistic idea for the future of BMW cars, yet one that is not any less amazing due to its numerous impressive qualities. In this instance, technology is used in a way that is not immediately noticeable but ultimately contributes to an improved driving experience. It has the impression of being a vehicle that looks both to the present and the future, which is a highly encouraging sign for people passionate about BMWs and those who enjoy driving. I can’t wait to see if electric BMWs will look like this in the future.
