It will provide a first look at new powertrain and battery technologies, such as new cylindrical battery cells (which are yet to have been shown as part of a production-ready pack). These are claimed to boost range by 30%, up to 620 miles between recharges. Rapid-charging times are set to improve by 30%, while overall battery-pack weight will be cut by 10-20%.
The concept’s interior is expected to develop the ideas shown in the Vision Dee, such as the omission of a traditional infotainment touchscreen in favour of a windscreen-spanning head-up display.
Dee – the artificial intelligence assistant after which that concept was named – may also return in a more toned-down, production-ready form.
Stylistically, the Neue Klasse concept is expected to reiterate the rakish, shark-nosed look of the previous two i Vision cars but in a form factor mirroring today’s 3 Series.
That car is next in line to be replaced with a hybrid and electric successor, following the introduction of the new 5 Series and latest 7 Series.
“The Neue Klasse represents the beginning of a new phase of operations for BMW,” R&D chief Frank Weber said in 2021. “It’s scaled to allow us to build electric cars from a 2 Series-sized saloon up to an X7-sized SUV.”
BYD
BYD is set to detail the next stage of its European expansion, hoping that it can double its global sales volume from the nearly two million units recorded last year.
The Chinese EV giant has already launched the Atto 3 crossover, Han saloon and Tang SUV in various European markets and will soon follow those with the Dolphin hatchback (pictured above) and the Seal saloon.
Its next wave of European models could include the Seagull, a city car that would rival the Dacia Spring, priced below the £20,000 mark.
LG
LG Electronics will showcase how in-car entertainment is set to change over the coming years, promising to take “Life’s Good on the road”. The company announced in July that it was transitioning into becoming a ‘smart life solution company’, with ambitions to become a top-tier supplier for the mobility industry.