Tag Archives: Neue Klasse

News

BMW’s ‘HypersonX’ Wants Your EV to Sound Like a Spaceship

BMW has a new buzzword for your automotive vocabulary list: HypersonX. It’s the Bavarian brand’s latest attempt to inject some drama into the otherwise whisper-quiet world of electric driving. Instead of Hans Zimmer’s cinematic flourishes—remember IconicSounds?—future Neue Klasse models will come alive thanks to the in-house BMW Sound Design Studio. The team has cooked up an impressive 43 different audio cues, from turn signals to full-blown driving soundtracks, tailored for both Personal and Sport modes.

A fresh social media teaser just gave us a taste of what’s in store, and—no surprise—it’s pure sci-fi. In Sport mode, the upcoming NA5 iX3 sounds like it just jumped out of a warp gate. The layered, pulsating tones are meant to “transport the feeling of speed and BMW-typical driving dynamics authentically into the cabin,” according to the company. Translation: BMW wants your right foot to feel like it’s piloting a star cruiser.

Like today’s artificial soundtracks, the HypersonX audio is piped through the cabin speakers and can be switched off if you prefer the stealth approach. BMW knows it’s polarizing—some drivers want a clean EV experience, others want something visceral to accompany acceleration. The good news is, you get to choose.

It’s not all sci-fi hums, though. BMW is also cooking up more aggressive, engine-like tones for its M-badged EVs. We’ve already heard a prototype electric M3 with a synthesized inline-six soundtrack—an intriguing way to bridge the gap between tradition and technology. And for those who want the real thing, the upcoming G84 M3 will still pack a bona fide six-cylinder, with BMW confirming the inline-six and V8 aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Let’s be honest: HypersonX is a gimmick. But in a segment where differentiation is everything, it’s a calculated one. EVs don’t need to sound like anything—but BMW is betting that you’ll want yours to sound like something. And if that something happens to make your daily commute feel like a sci-fi chase scene? Well, there are worse ways to make rush-hour traffic a little more entertaining.

Source: BMW

NEW CARS

BMW iX3 Launches in September as First Neue Klasse EV

BMW is preparing to usher in a transformative chapter in its history this September with the unveiling of the all-new BMW iX3, the first model built on its cutting-edge Neue Klasse platform. Debuting at the Munich Motor Show, the next-generation electric SUV signals a radical evolution in technology, design, and performance for the German automaker.

Set to enter production early next year, the new iX3 will square off against the upcoming electric Mercedes-Benz GLC, in what promises to be a fierce battle for dominance in Europe’s most competitive premium SUV segment. The iX3 is just the beginning of BMW’s Neue Klasse rollout, with an electric 3 Series saloon also on the horizon.

A Platform for the Future

Based on the revolutionary Neue Klasse architecture, the second-generation iX3 is more than just a replacement for its predecessor – it’s a complete reinvention. It introduces slimmer, more efficient batteries, enhanced electric motors, and a sophisticated new electrical architecture, all designed to deliver what BMW describes as a “quantum leap forward” in electric vehicle capability.

BMW claims the new iX3 will offer an impressive 497 miles of range on a single charge, thanks in part to its advanced nickel-manganese-cobalt cylindrical battery cells. That figure would surpass the current longest-range EV in Britain, the Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ, which offers 484 miles.

Charging performance is equally forward-thinking: the iX3’s 800V system allows ultra-fast charging up to 400kW, enabling a 218-mile range boost in just 10 minutes.

Dual Powertrain Options, Sharpened Dynamics

Buyers will be able to choose between a single-motor rear-wheel-drive version or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive model, the latter offering up to 402bhp. BMW has emphasized not only performance but also driving refinement, ensuring the new iX3 remains true to the brand’s dynamic roots.

To help lower the center of gravity and improve handling, BMW is implementing an industry-first by bolting the front seats directly to the battery pack, maximizing space and aerodynamics without compromising comfort.

Design: Neue Klasse, Retro Soul

Visually, the iX3 represents a bold departure from BMW’s current EVs. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Neue Klasse models of the 1960s, it sports a return to smaller kidney grilles, integrated into a single gloss-black front panel reminiscent of Vauxhall’s Vizor styling. Behind this panel lie the latest driver-assistance sensors and cameras.

The rest of the body adopts a more angular and chiseled look, with sharp lighting elements, a distinctive rear light bar, and a commanding SUV presence. This is BMW returning to clean, purposeful design with a nod to its heritage.

Revolution Inside: The Debut of iDrive X

Inside, the iX3 leads a digital revolution with the launch of BMW iDrive X, a reimagined user interface that replaces traditional buttons with customisable toolbars, voice commands, and a wide-format head-up display that spans the entire dashboard.

A sloped central touchscreen dominates the cabin, while the redesigned four-spoke steering wheel retains tactile buttons for crucial functions like cruise control. The system is built around the idea of minimal distraction, aligning with BMW’s “eyes on the road, hands on the wheel” philosophy.

The infotainment platform is also future-proof, allowing over-the-air updates throughout the car’s lifespan, ensuring functionality remains state-of-the-art well into the next decade.

With the new iX3, BMW isn’t just launching a car – it’s setting the course for the next generation of mobility. The Neue Klasse marks a seismic shift for the Munich brand, blending performance, efficiency, and innovation into a package that could redefine expectations for premium EVs.

As emissions regulations tighten and EV demand accelerates, the iX3 could well become the blueprint for the modern electric SUV – and the benchmark by which its rivals are judged.

Source: BMW

News

BMW revealed the new generation of eDrive technology

At the Tech Days in Landshut, BMW revealed details about its new high-voltage batteries and electric motors. This is the sixth generation of eDrive technology, which will be used in every electric car in the Neue Klasse series, and the first model with this technology will go into production this year at a plant in Hungary.

The new batteries have cylindrical cells with an increased energy capacity of 20 percent compared to the previous Gen5 prismatic cells. BMW will use 4,695 cells (46 mm diameter, 95 mm height) for the sedans and sports models, and 46,120 cells (120 mm height) for the crossovers. This will enable 30 percent faster charging and a 30 percent longer range, with some models having a range of up to 900 kilometers on a single charge, thanks to the switch to an 800-volt architecture.

The new batteries will also support bidirectional charging, which will allow the cars to be used as a source of energy for the home or even to feed energy back into the power grid. This will be done using the new Energy Master central control unit, which monitors the high-voltage and low-voltage power supply, processes battery data and is responsible for the safe operation of the entire electrical system.

BMW has already patented a number of new solutions for the electrical system, and the first car built on the new platform will be the next-generation BMW iX3, which will debut in September this year.

Source: BMW