BMW unveils Vision Neue Klasse: Showcasing the brand’s high-tech, efficient future
For over two years, BWW has been vowing to release a new class of high-tech vehicles with drastically improved efficiency. The company unveiled its “Vision Neue Klasse” for the first time on Saturday, giving us a glimpse into what the BMW brand will look like in the future.
CEO Oliver Zipse revealed BMW’s three-step plan in March 2021 to transform the automaker in the wake of the electric era.
The first phase involved pioneering Project “i,” transferring electric know-how to series production with models (particularly plug-in hybrids) like the i3 and i8.
For its second phase, BMW began offering all-electric powertrain options in some of its most popular segments, with the i4, i5, i7, and more. Now, the automaker is giving us a glimpse into its third phase with the BMW Vision Neue Klasse.
The term “Neue Klasse” is in reference to BMW’s small, sporty cars released in the 1960s that helped carve out a new segment for the brand.
Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development, said:
With the Neue Klasse, we have embarked on the biggest investment in the company’s history. We are not just writing the next chapter of BMW; we’re writing a whole new book. That’s why the Neue Klasse will certainly impact all model generations.
The new class of vehicles, set to debut in 2025, will ride on a drastically improved EV platform designed to shape the brand’s future. BMW says the new class will feature “30% more range, 30% faster charging, and a 25% overall improvement in vehicle efficiency.”
Meet BMW’s Vision Neue Klasse electric models
The exterior design features will define the different models from BMW’s Neue Klasse. As the head of BMW Group Design explained, “The design of the Neue Klasse is typically BMW and so progressive it looks like we skipped a model generation.”
There’s no denying that. You can see distinct BMW features like robust wheel arches, retractable greenhouse, and “shark-nose” front end, but in a somewhat futuristic upgrade.
The new EV concept includes an almost monolithic vehicle body, large windows, and indentations at the front and rear ends, giving it a unique aesthetic.
Other design elements like the signature BMW kidney grille and double headlights are fused into one area up front.
Next-gen BMW iDrive
The Neue Klasse models will be loaded with the next generation of BMW iDrive. Interaction with the car will occur through BMW Panoramic Vision, the central display, and (a few) buttons on the steering wheel. Other than that, most analog controls are removed.
For the first time, BMW’s Neue Klasse vehicles will feature BMW Panoramic Vision, a new high-tech head-up display displayed on the bottom third of the windshield.
The new BMW 3D head-up display shows active driving information with 3D animations. With the multifunction steering wheel, users can control the display contents of the Panoramic vision and BMW 3D head-up display with their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
BMW says the minimalist interior, which is entirely free of decorative chrome or leather, will help optimize its carbon footprint while in production.
The Neue Klass is focused on efficiency inside the vehicle and out. BMW says the new electric models will be built at its new Debrecen, Hungary plant “entirely without fossil fuels and with much wider use of raw and secondary materials produced with reduced CO2.”
The vehicles will feature high energy efficiency with optimized weight, air, and rolling resistance alongside an intelligent heat management system.
In addition to high-efficiency electric motors, advances in BMW eDrive tech include new round battery cells, offering 20% higher energy density than the previous prismatic ones. Charging speed will also be improved by up to 30% while range will be boosted by up to 30%.
The changes increase overall vehicle efficiency by up to 25%, according to BMW. BMW’s Neue Klasse is expected to begin rolling out in 2025 with two new models. The first is expected to be a production version of the model shown at IAA, while the second is an SUV.
The Vision Vehicle will be shown to the public for the first time at IAA Mobility in Munich from September 5 to 10.
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Climate XChange’s Annual EV Raffle is back for the 10th year running – and for the first time ever, Climate XChange has two raffle options on the table! The nonprofit has helped lucky winners custom-order their ideal EVs for the past decade. Now you have the chance to kick off your holiday season with a brand new EV for as little as $100.
About half of the raffle tickets have been sold so far for each of the raffles – you can see the live ticket count on Climate XChange’s homepage – so your odds of winning are better than ever.
But don’t wait – raffle ticket sales end on December 8!
Climate XChange is working hard to help states transition to a zero-emissions economy. Every ticket you buy supports this mission while giving you a chance to drive home your dream EV.
Here’s how Climate XChange’s 10th Annual Raffle works:
The Luxury Raffle
- Grand Prize: The winner can choose any EV on the market, fully customized up to $120,000. This year, you can split the prize between two EVs if the total is $120,000 or less.
- Taxes covered: This raffle comes with no strings – Climate XChange also pays all of the taxes.
- Runner-up prizes: Even if you don’t win the Grand Prize, you still have a chance at the 2nd prize of $12,500 and the 3rd prize of $7,500.
- Ticket price: $250.
- Grand Prize Drawing: December 12, 2025.
- Only 5,000 tickets will be sold for the Luxury Raffle.
The Mini Raffle (New for 2025)
- Grand Prize: Choose any EV on the market, fully customized, up to $45,000. This is the perfect raffle if you’re ready to make the switch to an EV but aren’t in the market for a luxury model.
- Taxes covered: Climate XChange pays all the taxes on the Mini Raffle, too.
- Ticket price: $100.
- Only 3,500 tickets will be sold for the Mini Raffle.
Why it’s worth entering
For a decade, Climate XChange has run a raffle that’s fair, transparent, and exciting. Every ticket stub is printed, and the entire drawing is live-streamed, including the loading of the raffle drum. Independent auditors also oversee the process.
Plus, your odds on the Luxury and Mini Raffles are far better than most car raffles, and they’re even better if you enter both.
Remember that only 5,000 tickets will be sold for the Luxury Raffle and only 3,500 for the Mini Raffle, and around half of the available tickets have been sold so far, so don’t miss your shot at your dream EV!
Climate XChange personally works with the winners to help them build and order their dream EVs. The winner of the Ninth Annual EV Raffle built a gorgeous storm blue Rivian R1T.
How to enter
Go to CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek before December 8 to buy your ticket. Start dreaming up your perfect EV – and know that no matter what, you’re helping accelerate the shift to clean energy.
Who is Climate XChange?
Climate XChange (CXC) is a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies because they’re critical in accelerating the transition to a zero-emissions economy. CXC advances state climate policy through its State Climate Policy Network (SCPN) – a community of more than 15,000 advocates and policymakers – and its State Climate Policy Dashboard, a leading data platform for tracking climate action across the US.
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The CSC Monterey – one of the most charming little electric scooters on the US market – has dropped to a shockingly low $1,699, down from its original $2,899 MSRP. That’s nearly half off for a full-size, street-legal electric scooter that channels major Honda Super Cub energy, but without the gas, noise, or maintenance of the original.
CSC Motorcycles, based in Azusa, California, has a long history of importing and supporting small-format electric and gas bikes, but the Monterey has always stood out as the brand’s “fun vibes first” model. With its step-through frame, big retro headlight, slim bodywork, and upright seating position, it looks like something from a 1960s postcard – just brought into the modern era with lithium batteries and a brushless hub motor.
I had my first experience on one of these scooters back in 2021, when I reviewed the then-new model here on Electrek. I instantly fell in love with it and even got one for my dad. It now lives at his place and I think he gets just as much joy from looking at it in his garage as riding it.
You can see my review video below.
The performance is solidly moped-class, which is exactly what it’s designed for. A 2,400W rear hub motor pushes the Monterey up to a claimed 30 mph or 48 km/h (I found it really topped out at closer to 32 mph or 51 km/h), making it perfect for city streets, beach towns, and lower-speed suburban routes.
A 60V, roughly 1.6 kWh removable battery offers around 30–40 miles (48-64 km) of real-world range, depending on how aggressively you twist the throttle. It’s commuter-ready, grocery-run-ready, and campus-ready right out of the crate.
It’s also remarkably approachable. At around 181 pounds (82 kg), the Monterey is light for a sit-down scooter, making it easy to maneuver and park. There’s a small storage cubby, LED lighting, and the usual simple twist-and-go operation. And it comes with full support from CSC, a company that keeps a massive warehouse stocked with components and spare parts.
My sister has a CSC SG250 (I’m still trying to convert her to electric) and has gotten great support from them in the past, including from their mechanics walking her through carburetor questions over the phone. So I know from personal experience that CSC is a great company that stands behind its bikes.
But the real story here is the price. Scooters in this class typically hover between $2,500 and $4,500, and electric retro-style models often jump well above that.
At $1,699, the Monterey is one of the least expensive street-legal electric scooters available from a reputable US distributor, especially one that actually stocks parts and provides phone support.
If you’ve been curious about swapping a few car errands for something electric – or you just want a fun, vintage-styled runabout for getting around town – this is one of the best deals of the year.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss a big Tesla Robotaxi setback, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA EV, Bollinger is over, and more.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Climate XChange, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies. Sales end on Dec. 8th for its 10th annual EV raffle, where participants have multiple opportunities to win their dream model. Visit CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek to learn more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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