Showcasing classic brand design in a thoroughly modern package, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X is a concept car that previews the brand's next-generation everything: new styling, new tech, new levels of resource-saving materials, and a new generation of drivelines.
*The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X (that's German for New Class) moves the company's design language forward, even if you're comparing it to the Vision Neue Klasse sedan that was revealed less than a year ago. Its best feature is the twin kidney grilles. Much smaller than the latest BMW models, the bold rings and the outer grille that links to the wide-set lamps make for a handsome vehicle.
*While the face bears a strong resemblance to the Neue Klasse models launched in 1962, BMW Senior VP of Design Adrian van Hooydonk says that retro design wasn't the goal.
*"We were not looking to take cues from the Neue Klasse of the 60s," he said. " We liked the cleanliness and still strong character that BMW had then. This is what we tried to imbue in the new cars."
*Van Hooydonk further explained the choices, saying "It's not really about taking one or two design cues from back then. BMW has gone through many generations of 3 Series since then. We want to add to that rather than look back. We feel that this new design language is new and clean, but it does bring to our mind the BMW brand.
*Why the Neue Klasse name then? "We call it Neue Klasse because the first was a car that proved to be very, very influential to the course of events within the BMW brand," he said.
*"Everything that happened after, even to this day. That success is based on the first Neue Klasse car," said van Hooydonk. "We believe that the changes that we're bringing to the brand in terms of technology and design will be equally decisive for the fortunes of the brand."
A longer wheelbase sets the Hofmeister Kink in the rear pillar – another design piece dating back to 1962 named for its designer – well ahead of the rear wheels. This makes the shape more sporting, in keeping with the X2 and X6 rather than the more formal odd-numbered BMW X models.
*Van Hooydonk explained that the design was launching with 3 Series-sized models because taking big steps in tech requires a significant investment. Introducing them in the lower range means more potential volume more quickly, reducing the risk. He also said that it allows the company to "turn the face of the brand" more quickly. Van Hooydonk added that "design can help speed up change," especially when used on high sales volume vehicles.
The long wheelbase also offers more cabin space and more glass to allow more light inside.
BMW has designed a petroleum-free material that it will use for the surface of the centre console as well as the lower door panels. Maritime plastics, the technical term for materials like fishing nets that are reclaimed from the sea for recycling, will be used for around 30 per cent of the vehicle's plastic parts. Even the factory where the model will be built, located in Hungary, will be the first BMW plant to be run entirely on fossil-free energy when it starts building the Neue Klasse in 2025.
The Neue Klasse will launch BMW's sixth generation of electric drive technology. BMW said that the system will have improved motors as well as better batteries. The new cylindrical battery cells will allow for 20 per cent more energy in the same volume as the fifth-generation tech used in the i5 and i7. A move to an 800V electrical system will make charging up to 30 per cent quicker, and the system is predicted to offer 30 per cent more range. Helping boost that even further, the Vision Neue Klasse X has around 20 per cent less drag than other BMW X models, and overall efficiency should be improved by 25 per cent.
*BMW Panoramic Vision is the cabin tech highlight of the Neue X. It will show key information across in a thin bar that runs the entire width of the base of the vehicle's windshield. Instead of a series of screens, this is actually a projection, allowing increased flexibility and reducing parts complexity. With enhancements from the BMW 3D head-up display, it should improve the driver's interface with their vehicle and let the driver spend more time with their eyes on the road.
If that's not enough screen space, the central display offers even more. BMW said that the system will integrate with the ambient lighting system, letting its colours bleed out into the textile surfaces of the instrument panel like an LED TV mood lighting setup.
Lastly, the driving experience. Frank Weber, the BMW board member in charge of development, said, "Neue Klasse means BMW driving at an even higher level." A higher level means more computers, including four of what the company calls "super-brains," which are new computers it developed in-house. One handles powertrain and dynamics control with 10 times more computing power than before. A second will allow "the next quantum leap in automated driving." Weber said that combining its control units into a super-brain will mean "more dynamic performance, more precision, more efficiency, and even more fun to drive."
*While this is a concept, the production Neue Klasse models are expected to resemble the concepts closely. Van Hooydonk said that the concept is "90 to 95 percent" of what we'll see on the road. Production is anticipated to start next year, which means there's not much of a wait until we see the ready-for-production models and get the full details.
