This first chapter in a series of features looking at next generation BMW AG vehicles takes a look at the BMW brand cars expected during the next decade.
A fourth generation of the 1 Series is still four years away. It seems highly likely that the hatchback and sedan will become EVs.
The G42 2 Series Coupe has been in production on Line 2 at BMW Group’s San Luis Potosí factory since September 2021. It should remain so until 2028 after a facelift in 2025.
The next news will be the addition of the 218i in July (joining the 220d, 220i, 230i and M240i xDrive). The car is powered by a 1,995cc, four-cylinder petrol turbo with outputs of 115 kW (156 PS) and 250 Nm (184 lb ft).
Next up for U06, the second generation 2 Series Active Tourer, will be two PHEVs. Build starts in July, which will be six months after BMW’s Leipzig plant began making the ICE-only variants.
Specifications are as follows:
- 225e, 180 kW (245 PS) 1,499 cc three-cylinder turbo, front-wheel drive, 14.9 kWh battery, up to 80 km in EV mode (WLTP)
- 225e xDrive, 180 kW (245 PS) 1,499 cc three-cylinder turbo, all-wheel drive, 14.9 kWh battery, up to 80 km in EV mode (WLTP)
- 230e xDrive, 240 kW (326 PS) 1,499 cc three-cylinder turbo, all-wheel drive, 14.9 kWh battery, up to 80 km in EV mode (WLTP)
The motor is integrated in a housing with the power electronics and transmission. In AWD variants, the electric drive unit sends torque to the back axle while the petrol engine acts on the front wheels.
Maximum output is 326 PS (150 plus 177) for the 230e xDrive Active Tourer and 245 PS (136 plus 109) for the 225e xDrive Active Tourer. Charging capacity is up from 3.7 kW to 7.4 kW, meaning that a full charge can be delivered in around 2.5 hours, or just under 8 hours via a conventional household socket. Electric range has also been increased compared to the first generation model and is now up to 49 miles based on the WLTP cycle.
As with all 2 Series AT variants, the PHEVs should be facelifted in 2026 and then replaced by an EV at the start of 2029. In fact, an electric option for the existing U06 could well be added in a few years’ time.
NK1 is the internal code for an electric sedan which BMW will launch in 2025. This will also be the first vehicle for Neue Klasse, a RWD, FWD and/or AWD architecture which can support all possible powertrains but which is EV-native. This platform will also incorporate 350 kW charging capability and 800V batteries. The basic layout is a motor on the back axle plus the option of one on the front or an ICE instead.
There is a chance that NK1 could replace the 3 Series but at the moment, it is believed that a new 3er is still being developed and due for launch in 2026.
BMW AG’s CEO appeared to state earlier in May that the Neue Klasse architecture might only be used for EVs.
“When it hits the market, it will be concentrated on the 3 Series segment and at that point in time the market will have developed into a size where it is reasonable to have only one drivetrain in that architecture,” said Oliver Zipse, speaking at the company’s Q1 earnings press conference.
Successors for the 4 Series should be launched in 2027 (see PLDB for more information). The replacements will likely use the Neue Klasse architecture.
There are at present few confirmed details of the eighth generation 5 Series. Tentative information indicates that model codes for the sedan, Touring and long-wheelbase sedan are respectively G60, G61 and G68. There is speculation however, which says the sedan will be larger than today’s model and therefore an extended wheelbase model for China won’t be needed.
BMW stated in July 2020 that it would add an EV to the 5 Series line-up. Four months later a media statement revealed that a future electric 5 Series (i.e. an ‘i5’) would be manufactured in Germany at the same plant which makes the existing model: Dingolfing. It is assumed that BMW will also build the electric 5er in Shenyang.
The G70 7 Series was announced and revealed to the media in April. For the first time, there is also an electric variant, which is called i7. Each is 5,391 mm long and with a 3,215 mm wheelbase.
Due to the sheer size, there is no long-wheelbase body with this generation. And for the first time in more than 30 years, no V12-powered variants: BMW will produce its last such engine in June. The final run of cars will be a dozen examples of the (G11) 760i xDrive ‘Final V12’ for the US market.
The architecture of G70 is an evolution of G11’s although the name changes from CLAR WE to Flex. This reflects the fact that the platform was thoroughly re-engineered and is compatible with front-, rear- and all-wheel drive applications, along with combustion engines and electrified powertrains.
In European markets, there are no petrol-only engines, all variants being electrified in one form or another.
The global line-up announced in April is as follows (each engine is turbocharged and linked to a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox):
- 735i – combined power and torque of 210 kW (286 PS) and 425 Nm from a 2,998 cc in-line six including 13 kW (18 PS) from a 48V mild-hybrid starter-generator
- 740i – combined power and torque of 280 kW (380 PS) and 540 Nm from a 2,998 cc in-line six including 13 kW (18 PS) from a 48V mild-hybrid starter-generator
- 740d xDrive – not available until 2023, details yet to be announced
- 750e xDrive – 3.0-litre in-line six producing 228 kW (310 PS) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) plus a 147 kW (200 PS) motor, combined outputs of 360 kW (490 PS) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft)
- M760e xDrive – 3.0-litre in-line six developing 279 kW (380 PS) and 520 Nm (383 lb-ft) plus a 147 kW (200 PS) motor, combined outputs of 420 kW (571 PS) and 800 Nm (591 lb-ft)
- 760i xDrive – combined power and torque of 400 kW (544 PS) and 750 Nm from a 4,395 cc V8 including 13 kW (18 PS) from a 48V mild-hybrid starter-generator
- i7 – see the forthcoming report on BMW i vehicles
Reports for many other manufacturers’ future models are grouped in the OEM product strategy summaries section of Just Auto.
Future platform intelligence
More detail on past, current and forthcoming models can be found in PLDB, the future vehicles database which is part of Global Data’s Automotive Intelligence Center.
