BMW has managed to increase the efficiency of its next-generation electric powertrain by 20% versus what’s on sale today. As Daft Punk didn’t say in their 2001 electro-pop hit, the Neue Klasse series powertrains will be (energy) denser, lighter, faster, and smaller.
For starters, the new 800V system’s batteries are now cylindrical, stepping away from the prismatic ones of Gen5. The tubes are slimmer, and instead of being shuttered into modules that sit in a pack, the cells go straight into the pack—meaning even more of them fit.
Plus, said batteries are 20% more energy-dense. Together, these changes mean BMW has been able to deliver on its 2023 promise of 30% greater range—probably more in certain models (though it doesn’t elaborate).
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
The Toyota Wigo GR-S exists and actually comes with upgrades
The BYD Shark 6 has achieved a five-star ANCAP safety rating
The promised 30% faster charging speeds have also been achieved as part of improvements made to the central control unit developed in-house. Also known as the BMW Energy Master, it’s responsible for better heat management and is capable of remotely updating to keep the system secure and connected.
We’re told there’s going to be bi-directional charging capabilities built in as standard, too. That’ll mean your Neue Klasse will in time become a big, fat power bank for your house and maybe make you some coin, shipping energy back to the grid when needed.
Elsewhere, the EESM main motor—electrically excited as opposed to magnetically so—features new fancier silicon-carbide semiconductors to boost efficiency. Mindful of saving space, the carmaker has integrated the EESM inverter into the housing and opted to integrate a secondary asynchronous motor (ASM) onto the front axle of all Neue Klasse models with four-wheel-drive (‘xDrive’ in BMWSpeak), resulting in much compactness.
Overall, this Gen6 system loses 40% less energy than Gen5, as well as being 10% lighter. How all this will play out in the forthcoming electric SUV and electric 3-Series-esque sedan is a lesson in holding one’s (electric) horses.
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
