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BMW’s revival of the Neue Klasse has hit the ground running – already raking in the praise even before production gets under way! The sedan concept, introduced just last year, beat out nine other vehicles in securing the Car Design Award for 2024. Despite what was steep competition, including the likes of the Audi Activesphere, the Lamborghini Lanzador, and the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven, among others, it came out on top. See what this window into the future of the 3 Series sedan planned for 2026 is all about!
The Vision Neue Klasse, an all-new EV, will be manufactured in Munich and will be a global model. Simplistic in its look, both inside and out, it will boast a smoother design as compared to the current i3 sedan with its long wheelbase, and be featured with fewer creases and angles. Although not as sleek as the concept due to BMW mounting regular mirrors, thicker B-pillars and the usual sensors and cameras, it will have other clear, key features.
Inside, the Vision Neue Klasse will be presented with a minimalist cabin, and with the tenth generation of iDrive. This revamped infotainment will be made clear via large central touchscreen and a head-up display as wide as the windshield. Dubbed “Panoramic Vision,” it will boast six configurable sections.
Occupants will notice fewer conventional controls within as well as the absence of the iDrive controller. A few buttons mounted on the steering wheel will be used to access most functions of the infotainment.
This distinct design language will influence other BMW sedans moving forward, with the Vision X crossover inspiring the design of upcoming SUVs. Unique and different kidney grilles on the concepts feature a horizontal and digital design that serves to broaden the front-end appearance. In contrast, the Vision Neue Klasse X crossover honors the original Neue Klasse models with a smaller, vertical kidney grille. The decision to change the front fascia with a vertical orientation of the kidneys for the X concept with a previous one being horizontal, was not to just visually separate the two cars, but also because the SUV has a taller front fascia for which the upright grille is more suitable.
The design of the Neue Klasse cars will also influence combustion-engine vehicles, although certain styling features will remain unique to NCAR-based models due to their dedicated electric platform.
Creativity is at the root of the design, with the absence of a transmission tunnel simplifying the design process.
A roll out of at least six of the NK-based models are expected by 2028. The ball will get rolling on production in 2025 of the next-gen iX3 crossover followed by the i3 in 2026. The NK-based iX3 (NA5) will go into series production at the new Debrecen plant in Hungary.
This Car Design Award is no small feat! Considered the Oscar of world car design established in 1984 by the Auto&Design magazine, the Car Design Award was given to BMW and others, including Volvo and Kia, at the renowned ADI Design Museum in Milan as part of Milan Design Week. Opening the event was an exclusive “Living in the car” talk with Rossella Guasco, vice president of C&M Design Stellanties Europe, Francesca Sangalli, head of Color&Trim, and others.
The award encompasses three categories, including “Concept Cars,” which the Vision Neue Klasse project received, “Production Cars,” and “Brand Design Language,” the latter of which is bestowed upon the design team that has stood out for consistency and transversality of its brand’s formal language across its whole product range.
New trophies were created for the award presentation, with the exclusive design courtesy of ERRE Company, which operates in the field of engineering consultancy applied to the automotive, railway and industrial sectors.
Choosing the winner was a jury of experts, including journalists from leading international automotive publications. They spanned the countries of Brazil, China, France, Japan, India and more.
In recognizing BMW, the award language stated: “It’s never easy to reinvent a brand’s design language, nevertheless the BMW Vision Neue Klasse does exactly so by being thoroughly modern while maintaining the unmistakable style cues that constitute the heritage of the brand. In the increasingly homogeneous design of electric vehicles, a tribute to the past and a vision for the future.”
With another feather in its cap, the Vision Neue Klasse is earning praise even before its production, recognized for both its nod to the past and its trailblazing for the future. Obtaining the Oscar of car design, this concept has captured the recognition of some of the most knowledgeable in the industry. And the winner is….the Vision Neue Klasse!