BMW is ushering in a new era of electrification with its Neue Klasse platform, starting with the pre-production of an electric SUV that will replace the iX3. The manufacturing process has commenced at the company’s newly constructed plant in Debrecen, Hungary. Full-scale production is slated to begin in late 2025, marking a pivotal step for the automaker as it transitions to increasingly electrified vehicles.
The Neue Klasse Platform: A Defining Moment
The Neue Klasse moniker, originally used in the 1960s for a series of transformative models that redefined BMW’s image, has been revived to signal a similar turning point. This new platform is designed to replace BMW’s CLAR architecture, which underpins a broad range of models, from the 2 Series to the flagship X7. While CLAR-based vehicles will remain in production until the end of the decade, Neue Klasse will gradually take over as the backbone of BMW’s lineup.
The new platform is expected to offer modularity and flexibility, though questions remain about whether it will exclusively support electric vehicles (EVs). BMW may be hedging its bets by designing the platform to accommodate range-extender EVs, a nod to its expertise with models like the i3 Rex.
Expansion of Global Production
The Debrecen facility represents BMW’s commitment to scaling up Neue Klasse production globally. Pre-production vehicles, codenamed NA5, are already being assembled at the plant. The first customer-ready units are expected to roll off the production line in late 2025. This electric SUV will also be produced in other facilities, including BMW’s expanded plant in Mexico, which currently builds the CLAR-based 3 Series. Production in Mexico will begin in 2027, two years after the Hungarian facility starts delivering customer vehicles.
The company's $800 million investment in its Mexican plant underscores the strategic importance of this global rollout. Additional Neue Klasse models are expected to follow, further integrating the platform into BMW’s global manufacturing strategy.
The Electric SUV: A Glimpse at the Future
Leaked patent drawings published by Autoweek provide a glimpse of the design for the upcoming SUV. The vehicle retains a resemblance to the futuristic Vision Neue Klasse X concept but adopts a more practical and subdued design for production. This SUV exemplifies BMW’s approach to blending innovation with market-ready features as it seeks to capture the growing EV market.
Challenges in the Path to Electrification
While BMW has set ambitious targets for electrification, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Last year, the company expressed confidence in achieving 50% EV sales well before its 2030 deadline. However, with EV adoption slower than anticipated in many markets outside of China, that goal now appears more uncertain.
Despite these hurdles, BMW remains committed to electrification, with the Neue Klasse platform serving as a cornerstone of its strategy. The automaker’s balanced approach includes continuing to develop combustion engine models alongside its EV lineup. Spy photos of the next-generation 3 Series, codenamed G50, reveal a combustion engine variant built on an updated CLAR platform, set to debut in 2027. This model will be sold alongside the all-electric i3, derived from the Vision Neue Klasse concept.
A Gradual Transition to the Future
BMW’s transition to Neue Klasse architecture will be deliberate, ensuring continuity with its current lineup while paving the way for future innovations. The combination of global production expansion, flexible platform design, and the introduction of cutting-edge EVs positions the automaker to compete in a rapidly evolving market.
As BMW moves forward with the Neue Klasse platform, it is not just manufacturing new vehicles but redefining its vision for the future of mobility. With the Debrecen plant leading the charge, the next chapter of BMW’s electrification journey is well underway.
