KLASSE CAPTAIN
CAR South Africa|CAR June 2023
The sister car to the sedan unveiled at the 2023 IAA Mobility Show, BMW’s Vision Neue Klasse X concept has a significant role to play in the evolution of one of the brand’s best-selling product lines.
Ian McLaren
KLASSE CAPTAIN

As the star of the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show, the broad mandate of the BMW 1500 sedan was to showcase a fresh start for its Munich-based maker. In dire need of both financial impetus and a clearer direction in terms of a disjointed product portfolio that spanned from a 'Bubble' car to the low-slung 507 sportscars, BMW's Neue Klasse (new class) introduced well-considered, practical dimensions with a new design language and fresh thinking in terms of engineering, production and mechanicals.

Acknowledging what then proved to be a pivotal moment in the history of the BMW brand, the new Vision Neue Klasse concept models - including the sedan and recently released, raised-ride-height X derivative showcase a watershed moment for the firm as it aligns itself to embrace an altogether more efficient future. In a full-circle moment, this includes a modern interpretation of the now signature 'Hofmeister Kink' C-Pillar design that debuted on the 1961 show car.

The Neue Klasse project is the realisation of the biggest single investment in BMW's history and will play a pivotal role in its future.

THE PLAN

While it's yet to be confirmed what model name the Vision Neue Klasse sedan will adopt (possibly a revival of the i3 nameplate), the Neue Klasse X will effectively become the next all-electric iX3 in 2025. This product will be sold alongside a soon-to-be-unveiled, all-new CLAR-platform X3 SUV range that will continue to be marketed with a choice of modern internal combustion and hybrid powertrains. Plant Rosslyn in South Africa is already tooling up to remain a key assembly line for this product.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة CAR June 2023 من CAR South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة CAR June 2023 من CAR South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

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