BMW’s Neue Klasse is a one-size-fits-all vehicle platform

We reported BMW’s mentioning in passing that Neue Klasse was coming back after several decades of oblivion. We had assumed it meant a new model line, but it is apparently just a unitized architecture that the Bavarian automaker wants to switch its entire lineup to.

The Neue Klasse is a RWD platform by default, but is supports AWD as well. It scales flexibly and lends itself well to compacts and full-size cars.

BMW has two platforms going on right now: UKL from seven years ago, which is mainly used for compact FWD and AWD cars such as MINIs, and CLAR, which is six years old and supports RWD and AWD. Some of the recent EVs, such as the iX, iX3 and i4 (see video), also have CLAR underpinnings.

The Neue Klasse is envisioned as a replacement for both. It will be used for IC, electrified and all-electric vehicles alike, and should lead BMW to its 50% target share of EVs by early 2030s.