BMW isn’t slowing down. By 2028, the Bavarian automaker says it will bring more than 40 new or heavily updated models to market, each designed with its own distinct look rather than a cookie-cutter family resemblance. The strategy rides on the launch of the Neue Klasse platform, the flexible architecture that will underpin BMW’s next wave of EVs and hybrids.
The Neue Klasse Takes Shape
The blitz began last week in Munich with the debut of the Neue Klasse iX3, a 2026 SUV offering 400 miles of range and charging speeds that can add 186 miles in just 10 minutes. The iX3 is the first of BMW’s Neue Klasse models and gives a clear sense of what’s coming: clean, modern lines, leaner kidney grilles, and a sharper digital interface.
CEO Oliver Zipse has said the Neue Klasse is a rethink of how BMW builds cars, emphasizing software-driven features and modular flexibility. That vision aligns with his belief that EVs alone won’t solve the industry’s challenges. He recently warned that the EU’s 2035 combustion ban is a “big mistake”, even as BMW celebrates record sales of hybrids and EVs.
Design Beyond the Nesting Doll
BMW’s design boss Adrian van Hooydonk insists every model will have a unique design identity, even when they share the same platform. Unlike rivals whose EVs often look like variations of a single template, BMW wants variety—from compact sedans to flagship SUVs.
That means an iX3 won’t look like a 3 Series EV, and a future M car won’t blend into the background of SUVs. The goal is to keep each car aspirational in its own right.
BMW
Sales, SUVs, and the Bigger Picture
BMW’s aggressive launch cadence comes at a time of strong sales, even as tariffs and slowing EV demand create uncertainty across Europe and China. In the U.S., the brand is reinforcing its luxury SUV lineup with new incentives, such as fresh lease deals on the 2026 BMW X7.
The combination of luxury-focused SUVs and future-looking Neue Klasse EVs shows BMW is betting on both sides of the market: pragmatic volume and future-proof innovation.
My Final Word
BMW’s plan to launch 40-plus new models in just three years is ambitious, but it underscores the brand’s refusal to play it safe.
By promising unique designs for each car, embracing both electrification and traditional powertrains, and pushing bold tech like the Neue Klasse iX3, Munich is signaling that the next chapter will be defined by variety and speed. For BMW, individuality—not uniformity—will drive the brand forward.
from Autoblog News https://ift.tt/DKyAHZF
0 Comments