- All future BMW models, including ICE and EV, will adopt the Neue Klasse design language.
- Regardless of powertrain, all the next-generation vehicles will feature a unified user interface.
- Each model will have its own character, but the overall design and experience will be consistent.
If you’re a fan of BMW’s design direction with the Neue Klasse concepts but find yourself less than thrilled by the electric powertrains, we have some good news for you. The Bavarian brand is rolling out this new styling language across all future models—EVs, hybrids, and yes, even good old internal combustion engines.
The next generation of BMWs will not only look similar, but they’ll also share the same high-tech, futuristic features inside, offering a nearly identical user experience no matter what’s under the hood.
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This revelation comes straight from Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group’s design boss, who assured that every future BMW, regardless of powertrain, will embrace the Neue Klasse design language. Sure, there might be “some proportional differences on the exterior and a little on the interior” between EVs and ICE models, but the overall “look and feel” will be the same.
Design Consistency Across Powertrains
Speaking with Top Gear, van Hooydonk, explained: “The big push with EVs, these technologies and this design language, will transfer over the entire product portfolio including our combustion vehicles. For the customer it won’t be difficult – they will all get new modern BMWs and they can choose the drivetrain.”
In other words, it’s a buffet of powertrains, but don’t expect a change of scenery when you switch from electric to gas. That said, BMW promises that each model will retain its own distinct character. They’re not going to pump out the same car in different sizes, so expect a bit of personality sprinkled throughout this new design era. Just how much, remains to be seen.
Van Hooydonk emphasizes the high-tech user experience in these future models, such as the BMW Panoramic Vision head-up display. Other interior highlights will include a center touchscreen with a non-conventional shape, some very futuristic steering wheel controls, and an eco-friendly touch with extensive use of recycled materials.
What’s Coming by 2026
We kind of knew that BMW is planning on expanding the Neue Klasse design to ICE-powered models from our scoop stories showing prototypes of the upcoming BMW X5. That SUV, set to arrive in 2026, will offer hybrid, PHEV, and EV options. So, regardless of how you like your power delivered, your X5 will still look like it just rolled out of the Neue Klasse playbook.
The first production model to adopt the new styling language will be the battery-powered BMW iX3, set to arrive in 2025. It’ll closely resemble the Vision Neue Klasse X concept. Following that, the production version of the Vision Neue Klasse sedan will arrive in 2026, with four more EVs joining the family over the next two years.
Van Hooydonk also promised that the production EVs won’t deviate much from the concepts: “You know how close the i3 and i8 were to their concept cars, that’s what’s going to happen here. If anything I like the production cars better because they’re a bit more compact – we’ve exaggerated the length and width here – and you have a bit more detailing and feel a little bit more refined. But the overall clean look is exactly this.”
As for the recent shake-up in BMW Group’s design team, van Hooydonk made it clear that the new design heads won’t start leaving their mark until the end of the decade. All of the BMW models that will be launched up to 2029 have been signed off under the leadership of former design boss Domagoj Dukec, before he moved to Rolls-Royce. So, whatever you think of the Neue Klasse era, you’ve got at least five years to get used to it.
