A sedan comparable in size with the latest BMW 3-Series will be the Bavarian company’s first electric vehicle built using the Neue Klasse platform. According to Autocar citing its own sources, it will premiere a new design philosophy along with purpose-designed motors and batteries for maximizing power and range.
The launch of the Neue Klasse is considered to be BMW’s third step towards complete electrification, the first two being the i3 and the iX, respectively. The era of electric mobility will officially start in three years with the launch of an all-new sedan internally known as the NK1, according to insiders.
The NK1 will have significantly more battery range than the BMW iX. It will benefit from a widespread use of lightweight materials and an extremely flexible modular layout. According to BMW R&D boss Frank Weber, the new platform will lend itself to all manner of cars ranging from 2-Series sedans to large luxury SUVs like the X7, as well as to all kinds of drive systems.
Among other things, the Neue Klasse supports easy stretching of the wheelbase, forcing designers to come up with an exterior design that would look good regardless of the body proportions. Allegedly, Weber confirmed that such a design philosophy had already been developed.
The sedan will usher in the sixth generation of BMW electric motors and batteries. Compared to the traction batteries of conventional EVs of today (some examples are featured in our gallery), these will offer 20% more range on average. Thus, the NK1 should be able to cover around 700 kilometers (435 miles) on a single charge.
Source: autocar.co.uk