At the 2025 annual results conference (and before his retirement next May), BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse spoke at length about the value of its flagship Next Generation (Neue Klasse) operation and the importance of the new iX3 and i3 to BMW’s performance in 2026 and 2027.
Following the first variant of this generation, the electric iX3 (which has been in showrooms in Europe since this month), tomorrow, March 18, there will be a design preview of the i3 sedan, the first version of the new 3 Series range; Production of this model will start in Munich in the second half of 2026.
Zipse is also focused on the unveiling at Auto China in Beijing at the end of April of a special variant of the iX3 that BMW has designed and developed specifically for this market using its local research and development team.
Among the new features announced for this model is a voice recognition system developed with the giant Alibaba.
BMW will also showcase the updated version of its flagship 7 Series in Beijing. This version incorporates aesthetic and electronic solutions taken from the first Neue Klasse models, especially in terms of in-car features and human-machine interfaces.
The launch of the next-generation X5 SUV (G65) and its corresponding electric iX5 variant in 2027 has also been confirmed. “The X5 will be the first BMW model to be offered with five different powertrain options: high-efficiency conventional engines, plug-in hybrid, all-electric and, from 2028, hydrogen fuel cell,” Zipse said.
“In this way,” he said proudly, “we are laying the foundations to successfully meet the diverse needs and demands of customers around the world, both today and in the future.”
The major product offensive announced by Zipse, which will launch more than 40 new or updated models by the end of 2027, also includes a change in high-end strategy, with the Alpina brand joining Rolls-Royce and M to dominate the top end of the market.
In particular, it has been confirmed that the first fully electric BMW M high-performance vehicle based on the Neue Klasse architecture will be launched in 2027. Thanks to its technical specifications and truly generous power delivery, it will have what the BMW CEO describes as “track-ready capabilities”.
Automobile Magazine – English
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