During his speech at the 2023 BMW Annual Conference, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, confirmed that the Munich carmaker is developing a new technological platform for its Neue Klasse models that will "set new standards in digitalisation, sustainability and design."
Neue Klasse is a historic series of mid-size luxury cars that BMW produced from the early 1960s to the mid-1970s. However, this time round, Neue Klasse refers to a new platform that BMW is designing from the ground up for its electric vehicles. The new platform will underpin a range of BMW models, from compact cars to larger SUVs. It will use a new, more powerful battery technology to provide an extended range and faster charging times than current BMW electric vehicles can manage.
The Neue Klasse will also host the debut of other technology, such as the new BMW Panoramic Vision head-up display. This projects across the width of the windscreen, showing information relevant for the driver and passengers and creating a unique interaction and information surface.
The information has a higher light intensity and contrast when projected on the dark-coated area at the windscreen's lower edge, creating a crisp, sharp image.
Frank Weber, Member of the Board for Development at BMW AG, describes the BMW Panoramic Vision as "opening up completely new possibilities for the design of our vehicles."
"The revolutionary projection and the significantly more clearly structured cockpit give an impressive new feeling of space and driving. We are taking our proven 'eyes on the road - hands on the wheel' slogan to a new level."
The Panoramic Vision builds on BMW's driver-centric iDrive control system for the Neue Klasse, with BMW announcing that it will show further new control and information elements at the IAA Mobility 2023 (aka the Munich motor show) in September this year.