BMW’s next era of design starts with the iX3 electric SUV, which is scheduled to debut before the end of the year. But it won’t be the only vehicle in the Bavarian brand’s lineup to get the Neue Klasse look. According to Group design boss Adrian van Hooydonk, every BMW will have a “Neue” face—and soon.
In an interview with Autocar, van Hooydonk said that BMW’s new design language will roll out on every model. Even though it just debuted in 2023, the 5 Series sedan will be the first vehicle to get the new look, although, as a facelift, it will remain on its current CLAR architecture. The 5 Series redesign will be followed by the X5, 2 Series, X2, 7 Series, and X7.
“We will make sure that the form language that we are developing now—and starting this year at the IAA [Munich] with the first of the Neue Klasse vehicles—will be rolled out over the entire product portfolio, leaving no car behind,” said van Hooydonk.
Product boss Bernd Körber reiterated van Hooydonk’s statement, noting that the new design rollout won’t take long. It will happen, “within three and a half years across the entire portfolio,” Körber notes.
But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean every BMW will have the same cookie-cutter Neue Klasse look. Van Hooydonk confirmed that, while every BMW will have a familial resemblance, each model will have its “own distinct character traits.”
Photo by: Motor1.com
BMW originally planned to limit the Neue Klasse design language to its EVs, but the company confirmed back in October that the design direction would make its way to gas models as well. Previewed by the Neue Klasse concept in 2023 and the Neue Klasse X crossover, BMW will likely ditch its massive kidney grille for a smoother front fascia and subtler design elements.