The BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept study, which will make its debut at the 2023 IAA, was previously known as the i Vision Dee at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. At the Munich mobility trade fair, things will become more concrete for the upcoming 3 Series.
BMW’s i Vision Dee concept study was the star of this year’s CES in Las Vegas, and not just from an automotive perspective. A little shyly, the model went by the name Dee on stage at the eye-catching show in the gambling city. However, things will become more concrete at the International Motor Show in Munich. The lighting units, interior and central display have grown together and it is gradually becoming clear that the BMW Vision Neue Klasse offers a very tangible glimpse of the upcoming BMW 3 Series. “We are two steps ahead of the future: With the New Class, we will bring mobility for the next decade onto the road as early as 2025 – and lead BMW into a new era,” says BMW boss Oliver Zipse.
The new name of the New Class seems a bit exaggerated, and not just in international parlance. It is intended to build a bridge back to the mid-range model of the 1960s. In the early 1960s, after turbulent times and almost a takeover by Mercedes, BMW made a fresh start with its “new class,” which was more like a project name. Back then it was all about the BMW 1800, which produced between 90 and 130 hp – a lot of dynamism for a sporty family sedan of its time.
The design hasn’t changed much compared to the BMW i Vision Dee, but with an almost complete interior, front and rear lighting units as well as other technical refinements, the concept study gives more concrete indications of where the new electric model is headed in Munich in two years go. “30% more range, 30% faster charging, 25% more efficiency – with the new class we are making a significant technological leap,” says BMW Chief Development Officer Frank Weber, “the new class will penetrate all model generations.”
The hopeful wants to usher in a completely new era for BMW – in terms of operation, recycling, raw materials and design. For the first time, the Bavarians are introducing a large display element called Panoramic Vision as a projection surface on the windshield, which complements the standard instruments and the central display and catapults the head-up display into a new era.
There is enough space in the interior for four people, and later in the production model for five people. Weight reduction and extensive aerodynamic measures are intended to ensure that the series vehicles of the 3 Series successor meet the efficiency requirements.
When it comes to drives, the next generation of current electric motors will be available in the BMW i3. The vehicles will be equipped with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive and will produce between 200 and over 500 hp, which should not affect the driving pleasure compared to electric models. On the contrary: the upcoming 3 Series will offer performance like no other mid-range model from Munich before. By 2027, the first electric BMW, a BMW i3M with over 600 hp, is expected to come onto the market – mandatory with all-wheel drive and a top speed of over 250 km/h.
In terms of efficiency, Frank Weber expects improvements of around 25% thanks to new battery technology and particularly intelligent on-board electronics. This means that the current WLTP standard consumption of the upcoming 3 Series should be reduced to 12 to 15 kWh per 100 km compared to the current BMW i4 (16 – 19 kWh/100 km). In addition, an 800-volt electrical system is to be introduced in the next generation of the BMW i3 and thus in all models of the new class, which would increase the current charging speeds from a maximum of 200 kW to 250 and later 300 kW.
