After wowing us at CES 2023 with the color-changing Vision Dee concept and its 3D augmented reality HUD, BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse (or New Class) of electric vehicles takes another step towards production reality in the automaker’s latest Vision concept. Meet the appropriately named Vision Neue Klasse.
The Vision Neue Klasse simultaneously pays homage to BMW’s design heritage while previewing the future of the brand. It’s a sedan — which is a nice break from the constant onslaught of crossovers and SUVs of late — with a traditional three-box silhouette evocative of BMW’s most iconic sport sedans, like the 2002, the E30 3 Series or, my personal favorite, the E46.
Up front, Bimmer’s current bucktooth grille treatment has been replaced by a broad, horizontal reinterpretation of the kidney grille that integrates the concept’s 3D-printed headlamp elements. As an EV doesn’t require a large front intake, this is mostly an aesthetic touch that I found, after conferring with colleagues, is the element most likely to make or break your opinion of the concept’s design. Personally, I think it looks fantastic.
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The concept’s glassy greenhouse includes a totally transparent roof and side windows that integrate e-ink displays that indicate the vehicle’s status and interact with the automatic door openers. Matte-white paint on Vision Neue Klasse’s body is contrasted with large forged carbon aerodynamic elements along the vehicle’s lower edge and large 21-inch wheels.
Inside, BMW once again nods to the ’70s and ’80s with my favorite design element, bright yellow corduroy seats! The buckets aren’t super comfortable, but they look amazing flanking the Vision concept’s floating center console. The floor is covered with a low-pile shaggy carpet made of recycled and reclaimed materials, and there’s not a stitch of chrome or leather to be found in this sustainable interior.
BMW Panoramic Vision Display
Central to the dashboard is the large touchscreen that skews playfully with parallelogram-shaped OLED tech. Like the circular display in the next-generation Mini vehicles, this is the first of its kind. Powered by the next-generation BMW Operating System 9 software, this oddly shaped screen isn’t even the most interesting display in the Vision Neue Klasse’s cockpit.
Looking ahead to the base of the windshield reveals the new BMW Panoramic Vision display, a full width display that stretches the entire breadth of the windshield. This is different from the 3D head-up display tech previewed on Vision Dee — which will also make its way into Neue Klasse series production.
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