Latest news with #NeueKlasse
IOL News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Don't like the current BMW designs? Worry not, they're all changing soon
BMW Vision Driving Experience concept The BMW Vision Driving Experience concept, following on from the Neue Klasse, previews the company's new front-end styling. Picture: Supplied Image: Supplied BMW's modern designs have been polarising to say the least, with their bold, unashamed and sometimes gargantuan grilles. But for those who are not in favour of the current status quo, there is potentially good news on the horizon. BMW is about to implement a brand new design language across its full line-up of cars and SUVs. You've already seen strong hints of it in the Neue Klasse Concept sedan and its X-badged SUV counterpart. The BMW Neue Klasse X Concept foretells the imminent iX3 replacement. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ It's already well known that these design studies will form the basis of a brand new electric car family, built around a new electric-first architecture, and starting with the new 3-Series and iX3 electric models. But now it appears that BMW's internal combustion engined (ICE) line-up will also be remodeled to fit in with the 'Neue Klasse' design theme. Autocar reports that BMW will 'completely overhaul' its current ICE range, starting with a significant facelift for the current 5-Series, but with redesigns and significant updates also scheduled for the rest of the BMW range, from 2 Series to X5 and 7 Series. BMW's design head Adrian van Hoodonk told the UK publication that the updates were necessary as the company didn't want the new-age models to make the current cars appear like previous generation products. 'We will make sure that the form language that we are developing now - and starting this year at the IAA with the first of the Neue Klasse vehicles - will be rolled out over the entire product portfolio, leaving no car behind,' Van Hoodonk told Autocar. 'Of course, it would not be good for us or for our customers if there would be a new type of BMW and a 'classic' type of BMW. We're going to change the look and feel of the BMW brand.'
ArabGT
3 days ago
- Automotive
- ArabGT
BMW Design Shift Is About to Change Everything
BMW is embarking on a full-scale design revolution that will transform every vehicle in its portfolio. Dubbed the BMW Design Shift, this sweeping change will begin with the highly anticipated iX3 electric SUV, set to debut later this year, and extend to every model in the Bavarian automaker's lineup within the next four years. This bold move represents more than just a new look—it marks a strategic pivot in BMW's design identity. At the heart of the BMW Design Shift is the Neue Klasse design language, a minimalist, forward-thinking aesthetic first showcased in 2023 through concept vehicles. Now, this design vision is going mainstream. Group design chief Adrian van Hooydonk confirmed that the BMW Design Shift is not limited to electric models. Every car in BMW's stable—from the sporty 2 Series to the luxurious 7 Series and rugged X models—will adopt the new styling. 'We're ensuring that the Neue Klasse design becomes the defining face of every BMW,' van Hooydonk stated, noting that the rollout begins this year and will leave 'no car behind.' Interestingly, the transformation will start with the recently updated 5 Series sedan. Despite launching a new generation in 2023, the 5 Series will receive a visual refresh incorporating the Neue Klasse design. Although it remains on the current CLAR platform, this facelifted model will serve as the vanguard of the BMW Design Shift. Other key models, including the X5, X2, X7, and 2 Series, will follow shortly. Product development head Bernd Körber emphasized the speed and scope of the initiative, stating that the BMW Design will be completed within just three and a half years. This accelerated timeline reflects BMW's urgency to unify its brand image across all powertrains—combustion, hybrid, and electric. While the Neue Klasse aesthetic will bring cohesion to the brand, BMW assures fans that individuality won't be sacrificed. Each model will retain unique design elements and character traits, ensuring that the Design Shift enhances diversity rather than eliminating it. Initially intended exclusively for EVs, the Neue Klasse approach has since been extended to gas-powered models as well. The massive kidney grilles that once dominated BMW's front-end styling are expected to be replaced by sleeker, more refined surfaces and restrained detailing—hallmarks of the new design philosophy. The BMW Design Shift isn't just a cosmetic update—it's a statement about the brand's future. With a lineup that will soon speak a common design language, BMW is positioning itself to remain a leader in both innovation and visual identity as the industry evolves.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
No four-cylinder engine for BMW M3, six-cylinder stays for next gen. Check details
The standard Neue Klasse 3 Series is scheduled to be revealed later this year, with market availability expected in early 2026. The M3 version is set to follow at least a year later. Notify me The upcoming BMW M3 will take a dual-approach to powertrains, with both a fully electric and a new petrol-powered version in development. The next-gen model, part of BMW's Neue Klasse architecture, is expected to launch towards the end of 2026 or early 2027. The standard Neue Klasse 3 Series is scheduled to be revealed later this year, with market availability expected in early 2026. The M3 version is set to follow at least a year later. Official specifications and detailed performance figures for both the electric and petrol M3 variants are expected closer to launch. BMW Neue Klasse M3: A 700+ bhp EV beast The all-electric M3 is confirmed to use an 800-volt system and produce upwards of 700 horsepower, placing it among the most powerful M cars to date. The electric powertrain will be based on BMW's new generation of performance EV technology, with a focus on precision handling rather than just straight-line speed. Also Read : Planning to buy the i7? BMW will now pay for your registration BMW's 'Heart of Joy" control unit, which was introduced in the Vision Neue Klasse concept, will be integrated into the new M3. This system combines key performance controls—such as braking, energy recuperation, charging, drivetrain, and steering—into a single computing unit that processes data significantly faster than previous systems. According to BMW, this will enable more responsive and consistent handling, especially during cornering. BMW Neue Klasse M3: New inline-six engine Alongside the electric M3, BMW will offer a petrol-powered version featuring a newly developed six-cylinder engine. Dr. Mike Reichelt, head of the Neue Klasse project, confirmed in an interview with Top Gear that this internal combustion engine will be distinct from the current S58 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six used in today's M3. Also Read : 2026 BMW M2 CS breaks cover, produces over 520 bhp and 640 Nm of torque Although specific technical details are yet to be disclosed, it's speculated that the new engine may include some level of electrification or hybrid assistance. Performance is expected to increase over the current M3's 523 hp, potentially closing the gap with the electric version. BMW has ruled out using smaller engines for the M3, including the possibility of a four-cylinder unit. Company representatives have indicated that such a move would not align with performance expectations for the M division's flagship sedan. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 29 May 2025, 08:40 AM IST
Motor 1
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
BMWs Will Look Very Different Very Soon
BMW's next era of design starts with the iX3 electric SUV, which is scheduled to debut before the end of the year. But it won't be the only vehicle in the Bavarian brand's lineup to get the Neue Klasse look. According to Group design boss Adrian van Hooydonk, every BMW will have a 'Neue' face—and soon. In an interview with Autocar , van Hooydonk said that BMW's new design language will roll out on every model. Even though it just debuted in 2023, the 5 Series sedan will be the first vehicle to get the new look, although, as a facelift, it will remain on its current CLAR architecture. The 5 Series redesign will be followed by the X5, 2 Series, X2, 7 Series, and X7. BMW M3 EV Rendering "We will make sure that the form language that we are developing now—and starting this year at the IAA [Munich] with the first of the Neue Klasse vehicles—will be rolled out over the entire product portfolio, leaving no car behind," said van Hooydonk. Product boss Bernd Körber reiterated van Hooydonk's statement, noting that the new design rollout won't take long. It will happen, "within three and a half years across the entire portfolio," Körber notes. But don't worry, this doesn't mean every BMW will have the same cookie-cutter Neue Klasse look. Van Hooydonk confirmed that, while every BMW will have a familial resemblance, each model will have its "own distinct character traits." BMW iX3 Rendering Photo by: BMW originally planned to limit the Neue Klasse design language to its EVs, but the company confirmed back in October that the design direction would make its way to gas models as well. Previewed by the Neue Klasse concept in 2023 and the Neue Klasse X crossover, BMW will likely ditch its massive kidney grille for a smoother front fascia and subtler design elements. The Latest From BMW BMW Has a 'Higher Demand' for the M5 Wagon in the US This Beautiful BMW Wagon Is Actually Going Into Production Source: Autocar Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
News analysis: How the EV competition between BMW and Mercedes will evolve
BMW and Mercedes-Benz are pursuing radically different electrification strategies as they prepare for major launches this year. BMW will introduce its Neue Klasse family of battery-electric vehicles while Mercedes prepares to launch its new-generation CLA. But which automaker will win in the battle for more EV market share? Looking at the sales figures alone, BMW is clearly ahead. In 2024, sales of BMW's full-electric vehicles grew 12 percent as the automaker benefited from demand for its new i5 and i7 models and adopted a 'power of choice' strategy, offering its bestselling cars with a choice of combustion, plug-in hybrid and full-electric powertrains to ensure broad customer appeal. Meanwhile, Mercedes' BEV sales plummeted 23 percent last year, including a 7 percent dip in China, its largest market, following a notable shift there to domestic rivals. Mercedes was also slowly introducing its new modular MMA architecture, meaning a temporary gap in the launch of new BEVs. A similar story continues so far this year. BMW sold 109,513 BEV in the first quarter, an increase of 32 percent compared with the same period in 2024. In contrast, Mercedes' BEV sales fell 14 percent in the quarter, down to 40,706 units. During the same time period, Tesla's global sales dropped 13 percent to 336,681. That means BMW sold 2.7 times more BEVs than Mercedes during the quarter and its full-electric car sales were also almost a third of Tesla's, according to a May 15 research report by Bernstein Research. 'BMW is already the clear leader in BEV sales among its legacy auto manufacturer peers,' the report said. However, Pedro Pacheco, vice president of research at consultancy Gartner, said it's not all about sales. While BMW is selling more BEVs than Mercedes, there is no available data defining each automaker's level of profitability, Pacheco said. Sign up for the Automotive News Europe Interview of the Month newsletter delivering exclusive interviews with top auto executives. Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, director of the Center Automotive Research (CAR) in Bochum, Germany, said the new cars have not yet shown how they perform in customers' hands. BMW's Neue Klasse range has benefited from the biggest investment in the company's history. The Neue Klasse range launches with the iX3 SUV. Series production will begin at the automakers's new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, in November, with first vehicle deliveries expected before the end of this year. Between now and 2027, BMW will launch more than 40 new or updated models – from BEVs to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to models with combustion engines. 'Each will have the DNA of the Neue Klasse,' BMW CEO Oliver Zipse said on March 14. By the end of 2025, the company aims to have more than 2 million BEVs on the road. Meanwhile, Mercedes plans to start customer deliveries of the new CLA BEV in July. The automaker is positioning the all-new CLA as a cornerstone of its next-generation electrification strategy. The CLA is the first model built on Mercedes new MMA architecture, which is designed to accommodate both BEVs and hybrids. Originally, Mercedes hoped to transition to selling only BEVs by 2030, but slower-than-expected market adoption pushed it to plan for BEVs and PHEVs to make up about 50 percent of its global sales by 2030. 'We have to realize that the speed of adoption, the speed of the transformation, it's almost impossible to foresee how long it will take,' Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius said last month. Essentially, Mercedes is pursuing a luxury strategy for the premium segment. After initially pursuing a more dedicated approach in terms of platforms, it is backing away from this approach to share vehicle platforms among ICEs, hybrids and EVs, Gartner's Pacheco said. BMW, meanwhile, is doing the opposite. After starting with a shared platform and achieving sufficient volume, it's now switching to a dedicated platform with a broader product portfolio, Pacheco said. 'The Neue Klasse seems to be a significant change in terms of platform design from the past, so maybe there is more potential there. Mercedes seems to be adopting a more cautious approach while BMW seems willing to try out more new things,' Pacheco said. Frank Schwope, a car-industry expert at the University of Applied Sciences for Small and Medium Enterprises in Hanover, Germany, credits BMW's commercial success with BEVs to its flexibility, its openness toward new technology and its recognition that customers prefer electrified versions of the combustion vehicles they already know. Going forward, BMW's ability to 'flexibly respond to customer demand' will remain essential, Marc-Rene Tonn, senior analyst at Warburg Research, said. 'While the path to BEVs remains intact, speed may vary on the path and there may be differences in adoption on a regional basis. Thus, being able to cater to customer choices, which are not easy to project, will be key,' Tonn said. 'Fulfilling customers' demands regarding digitalization, connectivity, range and pricing is of course important, too.' In contrast, the design of Mercedes' EQE and EQS models has faced criticism. 'Mercedes' electric-only strategy has been discarded,' Schwope said. 'In addition, the design of the electric cars was not well received by many interested parties. The group is changing both. Kallenius should question himself.' Despite their differing approaches, both BMW and Mercedes share a common enemy: fierce competition in China. 'China will define which of the two will be the winner,' Dudenhöffer predicted. 'China is the most interesting market for them. But the pressure there is the strongest.' So, how can the German premium automakers better compete in China? Firstly, they need to become more cost-effective. 'Price will be really decisive in China,' Dudenhöffer said. The next two to three years will prove pivotal, Stefan Bratzel, director of the Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany-based Center of Automotive Management (CAM) said. Firstly, BMW and Mercedes should try not to lose too much market share in China, even if that costs them money. The two also need to speed up their development processes and invest heavily in technology to compete with their Chinese rivals in terms of innovation, which is becoming increasingly difficult as the Chinese are so fast, Bratzel added. At the same time, he also believes they need to cut costs. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
