Design meets Performance: The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse – World Premiere at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. – AutoMart Canada

Munich. The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse celebrates its
world premiere at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It showcases the new BMW M
design language and sets a clear signal for the brand’s all-electric
future. The future BMW M product portfolio combines expressive design,
high performance and innovative materials.

The vehicle builds a bridge between its history and motorsport.

It is instantly recognisable as a high-performance automobile.
BMW M thus remains true to its guiding principle: “Born on the
racetrack. Made for the streets.”

“The new BMW M design language forms the expressive spearhead of the
Neue Klasse – determined and purposeful,” says Oliver Heilmer, Head of
Design BMW Compact Class, Neue Klasse and BMW M. “At BMW M, form
consistently follows function. Every detail serves performance. This
project is truly special to me because it carries the BMW M character
into a new era.”

Form, function and motorsport references in the exterior design.
Powerful proportions, precise lines and a muscular shoulder
section with wide wheel arches define the unmistakable BMW M character.

Numerous M-specific design measures optimise aerodynamics – including
the reinterpreted M aero exterior mirrors in the colours of BMW M.

A distinctive air outlet shapes the V-shaped front bonnet. It
supports the cooling of the electric drivetrain.

A forward-facing shark nose and a light signature with depth effect
characterise the front end. Headlights and kidney grille form a single
unit. The new M Yellow Lights create a focused view of the road. The
yellow light icons are set to become a new signature feature of future
BMW M automobiles and reference GT racing cars as well as the BMW M
Hybrid V8.

The front apron of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse adopts a
trimaran-style bumper, inspired by the form of high-speed sailing
boats. The three-part design underlines the vehicle’s technical
appearance. It also provides structural support for the front splitter
– an aerodynamic element at the lower edge of the front end.

Another new lighting accent for future BMW M automobiles are the
three-dimensional Track Lights located in the outer sections of the
front apron.

Track Lights and trimaran design also shape the rear apron of the BMW
M Concept Neue Klasse. The Track Lights frame the trimaran element
above the floating diffuser. A striking ducktail spoiler improves
aerodynamics, increases downforce at the rear axle and at the same
time sets a striking accent within the clean surface design of the
rear end.

Natural fibre elements are used in both the exterior and interior of
the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse – for example in the front splitter, the
bonnet air outlet and the diffuser. For the first time, natural fibre
is not only used in its pure form but also in a refined finish with M
branding in the roof graphic.

The newly developed Monza Red metallic paint finish and the
red-and-blue coded centre-lock wheels strengthen the visual link to
BMW M and motorsport.

Driver-focused cockpit for an intense BMW M experience.
The interior of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse is reduced and
consistently geared towards the driving experience in a
next-generation all-electric BMW M.

Four newly developed bucket seats provide secure support even in
highly dynamic driving situations and integrate structural elements
made from natural fibre materials. The seat upholstery in Bathurst
Blue and Berry Red picks up the BMW M colours in a two-tone Merino
leather finish. Red five-point belts emphasise the sporty character.

For the first time in a BMW M vehicle, high-quality black nubuck
leather is used. It can be found on the steering wheel, the door
panels and the roll bar.

The floating dashboard is finished in black knit material and
features M-specific hexagonal backlighting.

Red accents on the M gear selector, the shift paddles on the M
steering wheel and in the digital displays add targeted sporty
highlights in the cockpit and put performance centre stage.

High performance and BMW M driving experience in a new dimension.
The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse represents the next chapter in
the M-typical blend of dynamics, agility and precision. The innovative
BMW M eDrive drive concept with four electric motors and BMW M Dynamic
Performance Control elevates driving experience and racetrack
capability to a new level.

“Even in the new all-electric era, we continue the M-typical
tradition of transferring both technological innovations and defining
design features directly from motorsport into series production,” says
Franciscus van Meel, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M GmbH.

BMW M eDrive is based on the Neue Klasse’s Gen6 technology and was
developed specifically for all-electric BMW M automobiles. The
drivetrain concept combines four electric motors with the central
control software BMW M Dynamic Performance Control in the
high-performance computer Heart of Joy. Thanks to the integrated,
wheel-specific control of the drivetrain and braking systems, BMW M
eDrive opens up new potential for driving dynamics and driving safety.
It enables high recuperation performance, optimal traction right up to
the limit and particularly direct response.

The 800-volt technology and the high-voltage battery with an energy
content of more than 100 kWh create the conditions for long-range
capability. A BMW M-specific optimised version of sixth-generation
cylindrical cells provides particularly high output when delivering
energy to the electric motors and during charging. The housing of the
high-voltage battery is structurally integrated with both the front
and rear axle, thereby additionally contributing to driving dynamics.