AUTONEWS

BMW i3 Neue Klasse

BMW’s electric revolution has just entered its full swing, and the Neue Klasse is the future we’ve been waiting to taste. Yes, we’re talking about the new electric platform that will give life to a series of models that will turn the heads of even the most skeptical. And among these, the BMW i3 stands out as an electric sedan ready to take up the legacy of the legendary 3 Series, but with a twist that will drive enthusiasts crazy.

We can’t expect an electric replica of the 3 Series, as happened with the i4 and i7 models. The new Neue Klasse era has something completely new in store. Thanks to an extended wheelbase, forward-moving front axle and short overhangs, the BMW i3 will have a design that will make its predecessors look a little dated.

The BMW Vision Neue Klasse had already anticipated 90 percent of the car’s final lines and, after renderings and previews, these lines are deservedly representative of the brand’s future. We are talking about a modern reinterpretation of the double-kidney grille and very thin headlights that seem to have come straight out of a science fiction movie. The interpretation of the designer Avarvarii allows us to understand even more the change of pace of the German brand.

But we are not just faced with a question of aesthetics. From a technical point of view, the BMW i3 will be a real bomb. The new cells promise a 20% increase in energy density, a 30% faster recharge thanks to the 800V technology and a 30% increase in autonomy compared to current electric models. In short, goodbye to recharging anxiety. And for those looking for adrenaline, the base model could be an eDrive30 with 300 HP. For the more demanding there will also be an i3 M60 xDrive with 600 HP, and an even more evil version with 750 HP.

Inside, you will not find a simple cockpit, but a digital cathedral. A full-width head-up display (which BMW calls “BMW Panoramic Vision”) will project all information onto the windshield, virtually eliminating the need for traditional displays. And for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the future, the “Mixed Reality Slider” on the BMW i3 will allow the driver to switch between essential driving information, social media and augmented reality content.

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