The world premiere of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse was held at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race, with which the Bavarian manufacturer expands its new design signature and clearly signals its direction towards a fully electric future. This concept car, details of which were released at the end of the week, combines the brand’s recognizable history with motorsport and heralds a future product portfolio that will combine expressive design, high performance and innovative materials. In the BMW range, it will take the place of the M3 model, but with a fully electric drivetrain and a radically different design.
Aerodynamic excellence
The exterior of the vehicle is characterized by strong proportions, precise lines and a “muscular” shoulder part with extended wheel arches. Aerodynamics are optimized with solutions specific to the M series, such as aerodynamic mirrors in BMW M colors and a striking V-shaped air vent on the front cover, which serves to cool the electric powertrain.
The front part is decorated with the nose of the popular nickname “sea dog” and the distinctive lights integrated with the grille into a single unit, which becomes a new sign of future M models – modeled on GT racing cars. The front and rear bumpers are made in the so-called trimaran style, inspired by speedboats, while the rear part is complemented by three-dimensional lights, a floating diffuser and ducktail a spoiler that increases the thrust on the rear axle.
Sustainability in the cockpit
The exterior and interior uses natural fiber elements, which are found on the front splitter, hood air vent and diffuser, while the roof graphic brings a refined finish with M branding for the first time. The visual link with motorsport is additionally strengthened by the newly developed red metallic color “Monza Red” and rims in red and blue.
The interior of the concept is completely subordinated to the driving experience in a new generation electric vehicle. The four shell seats, made with integrated structural elements from natural fibers, are upholstered in two-tone Merino leather and equipped with five-point seat belts. Inside the cabin, high-quality black nubuck leather appears for the first time on the steering wheel, door panels and protective arch, while the floating dashboard in black knit material features hexagonal backlighting specific to M models. The sporty accent in the cockpit is achieved with red details.
High performance
The technological basis is the BMW M eDrive drive concept, which uses four electric motors and “BMW M Dynamic Performance Control” software inside a high-performance computer called “Heart of Joy”. The company emphasizes that it continues the tradition of direct transfer of technological innovations and design features from motorsport to serial production. This system enables integrated control of drive and braking for each individual wheel, which brings a high level of recuperation, optimal traction to the very limits and direct response.
The drive is based on the Gen6 technology developed for the Neue Klasse, and the high-voltage battery with a capacity of more than 100 kWh uses 800-volt technology that ensures a long range and fast charging. The housing of the high-voltage battery (with cylindrical cells of the sixth generation) is structurally integrated with both the front and rear axles, which additionally contributes to the overall driving dynamics and rigidity of the vehicle.