BMW has unveiled the all-new Vision Neue Klasse X SUV prototype in the global market, previewing the BMW iX3 electric SUV. The new concept represents the next phase of the company’s design evolution, which commenced with the debut of the Vision Neue Klasse X sedan concept last year. The radically altered design direction will be shown on the upcoming BMW iX3, set to be unveiled in 2025.
The Vision Neue Klasse X electric SUV prototype will be manufactured at the brand’s Debrecen plant in Hungary starting next year. The Vision Neue Klasse is going to be a range of futuristic, completely electric vehicles that make use of various design languages across different vehicle body types. The company is aiming to grab a 50 percent EV sales figure internationally by 2030.
The Neue Klasse X electric concept comes equipped with new L-shaped taillights, whereas the C-pillar at the rear continues to get the Hofmeister kink, which is a classic design theme on all BMW models. The company said that in the concept, it has utilized recycled mono-materials, which will save more money as they are easy to replace and can be recycled for future use.
Read more: BMW iX xDrive50 Electric Launched in India; Priced at INR 1.39 Crore
The new SUV concept features familiar components with new detailing. The kidney grille design on the concept has been tweaked. The car now houses two tall and thin components, which reminds of the 1960s Neue Klasse coupes and sedans. On the electric concept, the grille has an upright nose with LEDs on either side of it. The overall design is a development of what the larger iX now sports.
Inside the cabin, the SUV is covered in a brand-new material called ‘Verdana,’ which is derived from petroleum-free products. The company is also utilizing marine plastics, including abandoned fish nets. Better recyclable materials are used in the production of the concept's side skirts, front, and rear attachments, which are composed of recycled mono. The cabin houses a huge infotainment unit in the centre and a BMW Panoramic Vision, which is placed across the width of the windscreen. In the Neue Klasse X Electric Concept, the display provides all the important information about the SUV without making the interior screen heavy. The car also has a new steering wheel that comes with haptic controls and is less round.
The Vision Neue Klasse models will feature four high-performance computers, incorporating the ‘heart of joy’ system, which will manage all the important functions of the vehicle. The brand says that the latest system will be required for the driver assistance features to function five times faster than the current technology, mainly on the power-hungry M derivatives.
The auto giant has not revealed the performance specifications of the concept. However, the Vision Neue Klasse X utilizes the company’s 6th generation e-Drive technology, which includes two new motors, and in place of prismatic cells, it features new round lithium-ion battery cells. BMW has also upgraded the tyre designs and produced a new braking system for EVs, which will be available on the Neue Klasse range. The latest batteries are 20 percent more energy-dense than the ones equipped in BMW EVs, whereas the new models will be based on an 800-volt electrical architecture. The new architecture will be able to charge the vehicle 30 percent faster than the iX3, due to its compatibility with 150 kW DC chargers.
