BMW has teased the Vision Neue Klasse X, an all-new Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) and the debut model of a new generation of X models.
The SAV is a vehicle designation created by BMW to highlight the sportiness of its SUV-style X lineup, of which it has sold 12 million units since its creation in 1999. The Neue Klasse X will be the first in a new series of SAVs that prioritizes battery-powered drivetrains, digital technology, and sustainability.
BMW presented the first iteration of its Neue Klasse generation, the Vision sedan, at the 2023 IAA Mobility conference in Germany. The Neue Klasse X, on the other hand, will launch in 2025, a year that the automaker expects to see a dramatic increase in electric vehicle sales.
To that end, the company has developed a new generation of battery cells, which it says will charge 30% faster and provide 30% more range. Other upgrades introduced in the Neue Klasse X are a redesigned iDrive, BMW’s operating system, that will incorporate new lighting and sound effects to enhance the user experience, and a new iteration of eDrive, the company’s hybrid and electric vehicle platform.
With the Neue Klasse X, BMW is only the latest in a series of automakers to release an SUV-style vehicle focused on technological superiority. However, unlike other automakers, BMW is betting exclusively on electric powertrains, even as other brands have pulled back from the electric vehicle market due to lower-than-expected sales.