One of the first vehicles to be based on BMW‘s new Neue Klasse electric vehicle (EV) architecture, a new mid-sized SUV, has been spied once again ahead of its launch in 2025.
It’s set to replace the current iX3, which shares its underpinnings with the combustion-powered X3 range and has a boxier, more conventional silhouette than this upcoming model.
Unlike previous sightings and the initial teaser, this particular camouflaged spied prototype has been captured during cold weather testing in Northern Sweden.
The camouflage on this spied BMW Neue Klasse electric SUV prototypes appears to be virtually identical to previous spied examples, with the black-and-white wrap disguising many of the exterior design elements.
This electric SUV will be one of several BMW models built on the Neue Klasse platform. The German carmaker plans to roll out six Neue Klasse-based vehicles between 2025 and 2027.
The modular Neue Klasse platform has been designed to accommodate everything from small sedans up to full-sized SUVs.
With the current iX3 making way for this new SUV, the next-generation X3 range will forego the option of electric power.
The next X3, which will reportedly enter production in 2024, will instead offer only petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power.
The Neue Klasse SUV, which could wear the iX330, iX340 and iX350 nameplates, is a lot more rounded in appearance than the rather upright X3.
Design boss Domagoj Dukec, previously said he doesn’t want BMW’s designs to follow the likes of Chinese brands with fluid lines, and instead wants the brand to offer its own distinctive look.
Like the Vision Neue Klasse sedan concept revealed last year, which previews a 3 Series-sized production electric sedan, the SUV appears to have a crisp, forward-slanting ‘shark nose’ and a wide version of BMW’s double-kidney grille.
Another signature design element that remains is BMW’s Hofmeister kink at the C-pillar, while the smooth flowing side detailing and bulging tailgate are more like the BMW iX than the current iX3.
When this BMW electric SUV launches in 2025 it will rival the likes of the Audi Q6 e-tron and next-generation Mercedes-Benz EQC.
Unlike its fellow German brands, BMW hasn’t announced a cut-off date for production of internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and has instead committed to a multi-pathway strategy consisting of combustion, electric and hydrogen power.
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