BMW has always projected the image of being the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine.’ But this image had an origin at one point, and that point was the 1962 ‘Neue Klasse.’ Now known as the BMW 1500/1800, this generation of sedan brought BMW back from the brink and became an all-time classic in the eyes of car enthusiasts everywhere.
This essence has been ingrained in the DNA of every single BMW that has left its factories since. That being said, the German marque’s detractors love to point out how the brand has slowly but surely lost its way. From gaining a literal metric ton of weight, to focusing on SUVs, and even to a push toward electrification that many have said takes away from the Ultimate Driving Machine spirit, it would seem that BMW was in need of a refresh, or at least a reminder of its roots.
That refresh is here. The newest iteration of the Neue Klasse concept is finally showcased and executed in a production car, and BMW saw fit to launch this all-new (yet old) philosophy in the iX3. Yes, while we would have preferred that it be launched in the next 3-Series, as that has always been the brand’s bread and butter, current market conditions show that the iX3 would be the easiest way to get this new design direction into more people’s hands sooner. Thankfully, BMW gave us a quick glimpse at the i3 Neue Klasse sedan, so there’s that for confirmation that the brand knows how to appeal to the fans.
So what makes Neue Klasse so important for BMW? Here’s everything you need to know about where BMW is going.
Neue Klasse applies to all models moving forward, not just EVs
We can’t believe that we didn’t realize it, but BMW confirmed to us that just because they launched Neue Klasse with the iX3, and just because a lot of the new technological innovations have something to do with the electric propulsion system, that does not mean that Neue Klasse is limited to only EVs. Future ICE, hybrid vehicles, and even M models will also feature the new design language, new interior technology, and a renewed focus on the driving dynamics, which brings us to…
The Heart of Joy
“Heart of Joy” does seem like a bit of nonsense or marketing hodgepodge, but this is the name BMW has given to its driving dynamics computer that monitors, controls, and manages both the drivetrain as well as the brakes and suspension of the Neue Klasse vehicles. BMW boasts 10 times faster processing than the current computers, and that this Heart of Joy is here to ensure that the experience lives up to the Ultimate Driving Machine name it so desperately want to return to. Will it work? The only way to find out is to try it out (which unfortunately, we weren’t able to on this trip).
It does do some really cool things, though, including allowing for ‘brake driving assistance,’ which allows you to use the brake to slow the car without it dropping out of adaptive cruise control—definitely a plus in our books. Speaking of braking, at least for the EVs, the Heart of Joy uses the electric motors to do 98% of the braking, which means that physical brakes would only be used for emergency braking situations. This should make brakes last longer, but more important, make the car come to an absolute stop smoothly without the typical jerkiness.
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Neue Klasse is a nostalgic look at BMW’s design history
This is probably the most obvious thing about Neue Klasse and the new iX3. There is a reason that BMW thought it was a good idea to put a 1962 model in the lobby. It is because the new design will be taking a lot of cues from the nostalgic history of BMW’s iconic models. The most obvious one is the kidney grille, which, for the first time we can remember, is smaller than its predecessor. Already a win in our book.
Oliver Heilmer, head of design of BMW Compact Class, Neue Klasse, and BMW M, confirmed to Top Gear in an interview that this design language will be applied to all new BMW models, whether that be an EV like the iX3, or ICE vehicles, and even new M vehicles. While we find that the iX3 looks very good in the metal (it looks sleeker and smaller than in photos), we would not be opposed to this kind of design on a sporty coupe or even (gasp) the iconic 3-Series.
Heilmer also told us that with regard to the grille, SUVs (sorry BMW, SAVs) will retain the small vertical kidney grilles, while sedans will feature a smaller kidney grille but in horizontal orientation. Exciting times. We are aware the design is a love it or hate it thing, but all successful and timeless BMW designs have been, so we are honestly quite excited to see the next models that are in line for release.
Say goodbye to iDrive
iDrive, which started out terrible but has evolved into one of our favorite human-machine interfaces, is no more. The iconic knob is now replaced by touchscreens, which, while we find unfortunate, seems to have been thoroughly thought out by Stephan Durach, senior vice president of UI/UX Development, and his team. He told us in an interview that they studied data from more than 10 million BMWs, and it showed how little customers had used physical controls. While we would normally disagree, it would seem that the data does back him up, and his team had considered this when designing the touch interfaces of the Neue Klasse vehicles.
Stephan has categorized all interactions between the three levels of information dissemination, from the screen in the center (which is now canted toward the driver), to the new Panoramic iDrive system, to the HUD which contains information that the vehicle deems essential. In essence, the information will be delivered depending on a hierarchy of importance between all three information zones, which brings us to the headline interior feature: Panoramic iDrive.
Panoramic iDrive leaves a great first impression
iDrive is dead, long live iDrive. Now under a different designation, iDrive has been replaced with Panoramic iDrive, which is a windshield-wide, customizable home for widgets just below the eye line of the driver. It’s extremely contrasty, with technology that makes it seem that the display is floating in an empty void just under the windshield. It looks amazing. A headline feature of the interior of Neue Klasse, it can easily be customized by selecting widgets from the center screen to apply to the slots in the display. This can be anything from a power status indicator, an indicator for music, or almost any other feature you can imagine.
While it seems that it panders to the touchscreen generation, it does allow the driver to monitor what he or she wants to monitor without having to look down at the center screen (looking at you, Tesla), which can be distracting while on the move. Neue Klasse also utilizes AI (in the case of American BMWs, it’s Alexa) to help with asking the car to execute commands. All of this may still be distracting to the driver, but since we aren’t able to test it call us cautiously optimistic at this point. At the very least, it looks great.
Neue Klasse EVs have raised the bar
If there is one thing that is applicable only to EVs like the iX3, it is just how far Neue Klasse raises the bar when it comes to BMW EV technology. With a range of 805km, the new iX3 almost doubles the range of the previous generation. This alone would have been a game-changer, but BMW paired this with a battery capable of charging at speeds of up to 400kw. This means that a 10-minute charge is rated to give the new iX3 370km of range. As an even more extreme example, three minutes at full speed charging would give you a whopping 100km. That’s 100km of range just from leaving the car charging and going to the bathroom for a quick bio break.
These battery and charging specifications alone should make those in the market for a luxury EV stand up and take notice. No, it might not be the best EV specifications we have heard, but it is the best BMW has ever been when it comes to going all-in on electrification. No more half measures, no more compromises, and that alone is worth consideration.
40 vehicles to receive the Neue Klasse treatment by 2027
BMW is putting all its eggs in the Neue Klasse basket. They have committed to applying Neue Klasse to 40 new models and updates by 2027. That’s just two years from now, but if the iX3 is just the beginning, we really cannot wait to see what treatment the other BMWs will receive. Put us in line for a nostalgic compact two-door in the vein of the original 1962 Neue Klasse, please—but make it a PHEV.
