BMW Austria has produced the first electric motors for Neue Klasse cars
BMW Group Plant Steyr began supplying the first electric motors for the BMW Neue Klasse test vehicles directly to the car assembly plant in Debrecen, Hungary. This took place just ten months after the installation of the production systems.
Here's What We Know
The first electric motors of the new generation have been delivered to BMW's development department in Munich since September, and now they have started to be sent directly to BMW Group Plant Debrecen for installation in prototype BMW Neue Klasse electric cars. This was announced by Klaus von Moltke, Senior Vice President of Engine Production at BMW AG.
At the Steyr plant, production of these electric motors started three months ago. Helmut Hochsteiner, vice president of electric motor production, said that the company will continue to optimise the production process in the coming months. The delivery in Debrecen was an important step towards series production of the Neue Klasse.
BMW plant in Steyr
This is the BMW Group's largest engine plant. More than one million petrol and diesel units are manufactured there every year, and new powertrains are also being researched. In 2025, the plant plans to start series production of the sixth generation of electric motors.
The new electric motor assembly hall at the BMW Group's Steyr plant. Photo: BMW
What is the BMW Neue Klasse?
Neue Klasse is the next generation of electric BMWs. It is also the name of a concept car, a new electric platform and the design language of a whole family of future models. The platform allows the installation of 800-volt batteries with capacities ranging from 75 kWh to 150 kWh with support for fast charging up to 270 kW. Future Neue Klasse electric models will have a range of up to 1,000 kilometres, rear or all-wheel drive and motors with a combined output of up to 1,350 hp.
A BMW iX3 Neue Klasse prototype at the BMW Group plant in Debrecen, Hungary. Photo: BMW
The first production model on this platform will be the BMW iX3 electric crossover. Its serial production will begin in Hungary by the end of 2025. The second will be a sedan the size of the 3 Series. BMW will also create Neue Klasse models specifically for China and share technology with the MINI brand. By the end of the decade, BMW plans to produce four more car models based on the Neue Klasse platform, including a coupe-like crossover.
Source: BMW