{"id":84388,"date":"2025-12-12T21:05:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T02:05:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=84388"},"modified":"2025-12-12T21:05:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T02:05:22","slug":"bmw-clar-vs-neue-klasse-ev-platforms-upcoming-models","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=84388","title":{"rendered":"Neue Klasse vs CLAR: Every BMW Electric Model We Know It&#8217;s Coming Next"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"quick-links\">\n<div class=\"quicklink-container\"> <noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/themes\/wpdevel\/assets\/images\/quicklink.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"quicklink-icon\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20210%20140%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/themes\/wpdevel\/assets\/images\/quicklink.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"lazyload quicklink-icon\"\/> <strong>In This Article<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>BMW\u2019s electric roadmap is often described as a \u201ctransition,\u201d but that word undersells how deliberate the strategy actually is. Over the next several years, BMW will be running, by choice, two fundamentally different EV architectures in parallel: the existing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2020\/11\/04\/bmw-clar-2025\/\">CLAR platform<\/a> and the all-new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2024\/01\/29\/what-is-the-bmw-ncar\/\">Neue Klasse platform, internally known as NCAR<\/a>. The two architectures are said to deliver at least 40 electric variants. Understanding the difference between the two is key to understanding why certain models are coming when they are \u2014 and why others simply cannot wait. It\u2019s also worth noting that the Neue Klasse technology and design will be shared among these two architectures.<\/p>\n<p>Before diving into product names and codenames, it\u2019s worth starting with the architecture itself.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"clarncar\">CLAR vs. Neue Klasse: Two EV Philosophies<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01.jpg\"><noscript><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-450293\" title=\"bmw-5-series-clar-01\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01-830x501.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"830\" height=\"501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01-830x501.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01-1695x1024.jpg 1695w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01-768x464.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01-1536x928.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-450293\" title=\"bmw-5-series-clar-01\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20501%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01-830x501.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"830\" height=\"501\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01-830x501.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01-1695x1024.jpg 1695w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01-768x464.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01-1536x928.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bmw-5-series-clar-01.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>CLAR was never designed as a pure electric platform. It is BMW\u2019s modular, rear-wheel-drive-based architecture that has supported combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen and EVs under the same umbrella. That flexibility is its strength \u2014 and its limitation. Packaging is constrained by hard points designed around engines and transmissions, which means battery placement, cabin proportions, and efficiency are somewhat compromised compared to a clean-sheet EV design. But what BMW is gaining is flexibility in their production, something that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/09\/02\/bmw-multi-drivetrain-strategy-future\/\">has paid off handsomely<\/a> for the company so far.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02.jpg\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-504860\" title=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TECHNICAL DETAILS NEUE KLASSE NCAR 02\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02-830x512.jpg\" alt=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TECHNICAL DETAILS batteries, motors\" width=\"830\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02-830x512.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02-1661x1024.jpg 1661w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02-768x474.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02-1536x947.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-504860\" title=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TECHNICAL DETAILS NEUE KLASSE NCAR 02\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20512%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02-830x512.jpg\" alt=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TECHNICAL DETAILS batteries, motors\" width=\"830\" height=\"512\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02-830x512.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02-1661x1024.jpg 1661w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02-768x474.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02-1536x947.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-02.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Neue Klasse (NCAR) is the opposite. It is BMW\u2019s first high-volume, fully electric-only architecture, designed from the ground up around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/02\/20\/bmw-gen6-battery-neue-klasse-ev-tech\/\">sixth-generation battery technology<\/a>, structural battery integration, centralized computing (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2023\/09\/05\/what-is-the-bmw-heart-of-joy\/\">Heart of Joy<\/a>), and a completely new 800V electrical architecture. It is not an evolution of CLAR \u2014 it is a reset.<\/p>\n<p>BMW has been clear that Neue Klasse will eventually underpin the core of the brand. But equally important is what BMW has not said: CLAR is not going away overnight. Or ever. Large vehicles, high-margin SUVs, and certain M derivatives will continue on CLAR well into the second half of the decade. And possibly beyond it.<\/p>\n<p>That overlap explains the product mix we\u2019re about to see.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"confirmed\">A Necessary Disclaimer: What\u2019s Confirmed, What\u2019s Inferred<\/h3>\n<p>BMW has not officially confirmed the full EV lineup for either architecture. What we know today falls into three categories, <strong>but the list is far from complete since not all models are known at this point:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Officially confirmed products, such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/10\/05\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-sedan-details\/\">NA0 i3<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/11\/04\/bmw-confident-electric-m3-outperform-gas-car\/\">ZA0 M3<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/12\/03\/2026-bmw-ix3-review-neue-klasse-first-drive\/\">Neue Klasse iX3<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Strongly corroborated products, supported by supplier information, sources, spy photos and independent product-forecast research firms.<\/li>\n<li>Logically inevitable products, based on BMW\u2019s existing lineup, platform scalability, and market segmentation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Everything below fits into one of those buckets. None of it contradicts BMW\u2019s public strategy \u2014 and much of it is already visible if you understand how BMW plans generations, derivatives, and production footprints.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"ncar\">Neue Klasse (NCAR): The Electric Core of BMW<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-504862\" title=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TECHNICAL DETAILS NEUE KLASSE NCAR 04\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04-830x512.jpg\" alt=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TECHNICAL DETAILS NEUE KLASSE NCAR 04\" width=\"830\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04-830x512.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04-1661x1024.jpg 1661w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04-768x474.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04-1536x947.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-504862\" title=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TECHNICAL DETAILS NEUE KLASSE NCAR 04\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20512%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04-830x512.jpg\" alt=\"2026 BMW IX3 NA5 TECHNICAL DETAILS NEUE KLASSE NCAR 04\" width=\"830\" height=\"512\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04-830x512.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04-1661x1024.jpg 1661w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04-768x474.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04-1536x947.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2026-bmw-ix3-na5-technical-details-neue-klasse-ncar-04.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Neue Klasse begins where BMW volume begins: the 3 Series and X3 segments. These are the brand\u2019s global backbone, and BMW has confirmed that Neue Klasse will anchor itself here before expanding outward.<\/p>\n<p>The first production Neue Klasse SUV will be the <strong>iX3 (NA5)<\/strong>, followed by a long-wheelbase variant (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/08\/22\/bmw-ix3l-2026-long-wheelbase-suv-china\/\"><strong>NA6<\/strong><\/a>) primarily aimed at China. A sportier <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/11\/04\/2027-bmw-ix4-spy-photos-electric-x4-successor\/\"><strong>iX4 (NA7)<\/strong><\/a> is expected to follow, aligning with BMW\u2019s traditional SUV-coupe strategy.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-508315\" title=\"2026 BMW I3 NA0 RENDERINGS 01\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01-830x623.jpg\" alt=\"2026 BMW I3 NA0 RENDERING front-end\" width=\"830\" height=\"623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01-1365x1024.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-508315\" title=\"2026 BMW I3 NA0 RENDERINGS 01\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20623%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01-830x623.jpg\" alt=\"2026 BMW I3 NA0 RENDERING front-end\" width=\"830\" height=\"623\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01-1365x1024.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2026-bmw-i3-na0-renderings-01.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>On the sedan side, the <strong>NA0 i3<\/strong> is the most important car BMW will launch this decade. It replaces the CLAR-based electric 3 Series approach with a dedicated EV sedan, followed closely by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/09\/24\/bmw-touring-models-electric-future\/\"><strong>NA1 i3 Touring<\/strong><\/a>, reinforcing BMW\u2019s commitment to wagons \u2014 even in the EV era.<\/p>\n<p>From there, the lineup expands logically. Coupe and convertible body styles re-emerge as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2024\/08\/28\/bmw-i4-coupe-likely-launch-2028\/\"><strong>NA2 i4 Coupe<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2022\/09\/15\/bmw-i4-coupe-convertible\/\"><strong>NA3 i4 Convertible<\/strong><\/a>, signaling that Neue Klasse is not just about efficiency, but about emotional body styles BMW has historically defended.<\/p>\n<p>At the compact end and towards the end of the decade, the 1 Series is rumored to finally get an electric version, called the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/04\/26\/bmw-i1-electric-hatchback-2028-rear-wheel-drive\/\"><strong>i1 (NB0)<\/strong><\/a>. <strong>Electric X1 derivatives (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/09\/30\/2028-bmw-ix1-spied-hiding-massive-changes\/\">NB5 and NB6 long-wheelbase<\/a>)<\/strong> are also expected after this generation iX1 is retired. They will bring Neue Klasse technology downmarket, including a long-wheelbase X1 variant for China.<\/p>\n<p>At the top of the range, we expect a successor of the popular BMW i7 electric limousine. The codename has been rumored for a while, <strong>ND0<\/strong>, and we don\u2019t expect that to change. The second generation i7 will bring Neue Klasse tech into the luxury flagship segment, replacing today\u2019s CLAR-based i7 with a platform that finally allows BMW to rethink proportions, cabin space, and battery integration without compromise.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"melectric\">BMW M Will Be Electrified Also<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-scaled.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-495255\" title=\"2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-830x622.jpg\" alt=\"BMW M3 ZA0 Render\" width=\"830\" height=\"622\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-830x622.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-1366x1024.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-2048x1535.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-495255\" title=\"2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20622%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-830x622.jpg\" alt=\"BMW M3 ZA0 Render\" width=\"830\" height=\"622\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-830x622.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-1366x1024.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2027-bmw-m3-electric-za0-photoshop-01-2048x1535.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Neue Klasse is also where BMW M\u2019s electric future begins in earnest. Fully electric M Performance and full M models \u2014 including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/02\/17\/bmw-m-za0-m3-render-electric-future\/\"><strong>ZA0 M3<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/10\/22\/bmw-x3-m-electric-spy-photos\/\"><strong>ZA5 X3 M electric<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2024\/12\/17\/bmw-ix4-m-electric-crossover-future\/\"><strong>ZA7 X4 M electric<\/strong><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2024\/12\/30\/bmw-m4-electric-za2-a-groundbreaking-ev-coupe-coming-post-2028\/\"><strong>ZA2 M4 Electric<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 are expected to debut here, leveraging the platform\u2019s centralized computing and torque-vectoring capabilities rather than retrofitting performance onto a flexible architecture.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"clar\">CLAR EVs: Why BMW Still Needs the Old Platform<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-509073\" title=\"2027 BMW X5 HEADLIGHTS 01\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01-830x623.jpg\" alt=\"2027 BMW X5 HEADLIGHTS 01\" width=\"830\" height=\"623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01-1365x1024.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-509073\" title=\"2027 BMW X5 HEADLIGHTS 01\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20623%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01-830x623.jpg\" alt=\"2027 BMW X5 HEADLIGHTS 01\" width=\"830\" height=\"623\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01-1365x1024.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2027-bmw-x5-headlights-01.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>If Neue Klasse is BMW\u2019s future, CLAR remains its present \u2014 especially for large SUVs. BMW has little incentive to rush full-size vehicles onto a brand-new platform when CLAR already supports profitable, well-understood products. That\u2019s why the next generation of large electric SUVs will continue on CLAR.<\/p>\n<p>These include the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/12\/10\/2027-bmw-x5-headlight-rendering\/\"><strong>iX5 (G65)<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/04\/04\/bmw-ix5-ix6-ix7-gen6-batteries-motors\/\"><strong>iX6 (G66)<\/strong><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2024\/06\/06\/bmw-ix7-launch-in-2027\/\"><strong>iX7 (G67)<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 electric counterparts to BMW\u2019s largest and most lucrative ICE models. These vehicles prioritize space, towing capability, and comfort over cutting-edge efficiency, making CLAR a perfectly acceptable compromise. It remains to be seen whether BMW will also deliver a BEV version of the X5 M and X6 M.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-506576\" title=\"2027 BMW X7 G67 IMAGES 01\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01-830x623.jpg\" alt=\"2027 BMW X7 G67 rendering with split headlights and redesigned kidney grilles\" width=\"830\" height=\"623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01-1365x1024.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-506576\" title=\"2027 BMW X7 G67 IMAGES 01\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20830%20623%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01-830x623.jpg\" alt=\"2027 BMW X7 G67 rendering with split headlights and redesigned kidney grilles\" width=\"830\" height=\"623\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01-1365x1024.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2027-BMW-X7-G67-images-01.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>At the very top sits the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2024\/06\/07\/ix7-alpina-100-electric-suv\/\"><strong>ALPINA iX7 (G99)<\/strong><\/a>, a product that almost defines why CLAR must exist alongside Neue Klasse. ALPINA customers expect refinement, power, and continuity \u2014 not early adoption of radical architectures.<\/p>\n<p>BMW has already confirmed the iX5 publicly, and the rest follow naturally from BMW\u2019s product cadence and SUV hierarchy.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"makessense\">Why This Split Actually Makes Sense<\/h3>\n<p>From the outside, running two EV architectures can look inefficient. In reality, it gives BMW strategic flexibility at a time when EV adoption rates, regulations, and regional demand remain uneven.<\/p>\n<p>Neue Klasse is optimized for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High-volume segments<\/li>\n<li>Efficiency and charging performance<\/li>\n<li>Software-defined vehicle behavior<\/li>\n<li>Long-term scalability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>CLAR remains ideal for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Large, premium SUVs<\/li>\n<li>Lower-risk EV conversions<\/li>\n<li>Markets where EV uptake is slower<\/li>\n<li>High-margin niche products<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>BMW is not only hedging its bets \u2014 it\u2019s sequencing them.<\/p>\n<p>Neue Klasse could eventually replace CLAR entirely for EVs, even though that\u2019s something that no one knows at this point. The political landscape across the globe seems to be shifting weekly, if not daily, but that\u2019s the beauty of this split approach: BMW seems ready to quickly adapt. Until then, this dual-platform strategy allows BMW to keep selling cars people actually buy, while quietly building the foundation for what comes next.<\/p>\n<p><em>Of course, there are likely other products in the pipeline, on both architectures, so hopefully we learn more about these in the future and bring a new update to this list.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In This Article BMW\u2019s electric roadmap is often described as a \u201ctransition,\u201d but that word undersells how deliberate the strategy actually is. Over the next several years, BMW will be running, by choice, two fundamentally different EV architectures in parallel: the existing CLAR platform and the all-new Neue Klasse platform, internally known as NCAR. The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8313,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-84388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=84388"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84388\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=84388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=84388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=84388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}