All future cars and SUVs from BMW will eventually be underpinned by a single, electric-focused architecture.
This platform, dubbed the New Class, has been designed to support all-electric powertrains but will also offer support for gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles, as well as plug-in hybrids. It will launch in 2025 and may even have the flexibility to support a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain.
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According to Auto News, the New Class platform will replace the car manufacturer’s two current architectures; the UKL small platform used for BMWs compact cars and the Mini brand, and the CLAR platform used across the rest of the BMW family.
Unlike the New Class platform which will be manufactured with electric powertrains as a focus, both the UKL and CLAR platforms were developed for combustion engine vehicles. BMW has since upgraded the CLAR architecture significantly, modifying the central floor to accommodate EVs and plug-in hybrids. The all-electric iX3 uses this platform, as do the i4 and iX, and it will also underpin the electric versions of the 5-Series and 7-Series.
It is understood that the new architecture will support the different proportions of all-electric vehicles, such as a more spacious interior. In addition, it will support a high-voltage battery concept with an improved cell design and as standard, will be rear-wheel drive focused, although front- and all-wheel drive models will be offered.
BMW wants EVs to account for at least half of its global deliveries by 2030 and the New Class platform will help it to achieve this goal.
