BMW unveils new vision neue klasse X with 3D sculpture, recycled textiles and ‘superbrains’

Meet BMW’s upgraded Vision Neue Klasse X

BMW has released the upgraded Vision Neue Klasse X, an electric smart vehicle equipped with a 3D sculpture, recycled textiles made from marine plastics, and the so-called ‘superbrains’, the software developed by BMW installed inside the new electric smart car to help it detect blockages and potential accidents on the road and drive itself away from them. During the unveiling event attended by designboom in Lisbon, Portugal, the BMW Group introduced the new electric smart car, signaling that the entrance of the Vision Neue Klasse X may define the brand’s future car models just like its predecessor, the Vision Neue Klasse.

images courtesy of BMW

Light is the central theme of Vision Neue Klasse X

As BMW drew back the curtains to unveil the new Vision Neue Klasse X during the event attended by designboom in Lisbon, the kidney grille, reimagined as a 3D sculpture and located at the front and rear of the electric smart car, made the first greeting. Its large nose sat between panoramic LED headlights comprised of layers of glass panels. Unlike conventional cars, the Vision Neue Klasse X headlamps flicker rhythmically. As a BMW spokesperson told designboom during the event, this is due to a series of glass panels with a lighting design. The sequence of lights is customizable, and the driver can even personalize how the flashing occurs. These vertical lights also serve as the electric smart car’s battery percentage indicators. They may change colors to let the driver and onlookers know if the new BMW car is running out of charge or can still go for miles.

the kidney grille, reimagined as a 3D sculpture, located at the front and rear of the Vision Neue Klasse X

Light is the continual focus of BMW for the new Vision Neue Klasse X. Aside from the rhythmic headlights, the rear lights consist of individual bulbs, each of which can be controlled and customized with variable light intensity. Stepping inside the electric smart car, the theme of light continues, starting with the OLED display placed above the instrument panel and planted on the same level as the steering wheel with multiple buttons (more on this below). This instrument panel has an LED light under its recyclable polyester covering that has tiny holes in it. Whenever the driver and front passenger activate a function from the center console, the ambient lighting in the instrument panel plays and blinks, even matching the colors emitted by the activated app or function on the OLED display.

BMW has retained the panoramic glass roof for the Vision Neue Klasse X

New materials for the new electric smart car

Sitting inside the spacious Vision Neue Klasse X, BMW has retained the panoramic glass roof from its predecessor, still allowing the views outside to seep inside almost uninterrupted. The Group has also introduced a new fabric material for the cabin: from afar, the blend of orange and white immediately catches attention, retaining the same vibrancy as the yellow-white mix of its predecessor, the Vision Neue Klasse. On closer inspection, observers can see that the colors of the cabin’s textiles are made up of intertwining black, white, orange, and red threads. As a BMW spokesperson told designboom during the event, this is the result of graphic patterns using 3D knitting techniques.

inside BMW’s electric smart car, the Vision Neue Klasse X

On top of the 3D knitted cabin material, BMW has also developed ‘Verdana’ for the Vision Neue Klasse X, which is a completely plant-based and petroleum-free surface material. It is used in the lower portion of the door paneling and in the center console, where the hidden ambient lighting is positioned. For the injection-molded parts of the Vision Neue Klasse X, BMW has repurposed up to 30 percent of maritime plastics, including discarded fishing nets. Even the side skirts and front and rear apron attachments of the electric smart car are produced from recycled materials.

BMW has developed ‘Verdana’, which is a completely plant-based and petroleum-free material

Panoramic Vision makes a comeback

Aside from design, BMW has also focused on technology. Its Panoramic Vision makes a comeback, where information is projected at the driver’s line of sight and across the entire width of the windscreen. A BMW spokesperson showed and told designboom during the unveiling in Lisbon that the Panoramic Vision of the Vision Neue Klasse X is tucked away under the bonnet of the interior’s front windscreen. The information is simply a reflection or projection coming from the 3D head-up display. In the new electric smart car, BMW allows the driver and front passenger to select up to six widgets from the 3D head-up display that can be flashed onto the Panoramic Vision from the weather app, radio function, and battery percentage, to speed and other driving information.

the cabin’s textiles are made up of intertwining black, white, orange, and red threads using 3D-knitted material

The boxy steering wheel of the Vision Neue Klasse X has multiple buttons around it to enable the driver to control the functionalities of the center console and the Panoramic Vision without untangling their hands from the wheel. Another new form of technology that BMW has integrated into the electric smart car is the HYPERSONX WHEEL, which lets the driver create custom sounds before they start driving, when they turn on the vehicle, once they are done driving, and when they turn it off. There are four sound options to choose from, including calm tunes and a ‘vroom!’ sound that gradually gets loud, as if the driver were preparing themselves for a race-track ride.

How do BMW’s superbrains work?

At the unveiling in Lisbon, designboom sat down for BMW’s explanation of how the ‘superbrains’ work. A superbrain is a new software developed in-house by the Group that allows its future models, such as the Vision Neue Klasse X to have a smart drive and chassis control. BMW is currently developing four superbrains, and two of them are set to be installed in the Vision Neue Klasse X. They come in the form of a control unit the size of a hard disk for laptops or computers. In fact, these ‘superbrains’ are considered just that, and BMW paints the picture that the Vision Neue Klasse X can drive and function autonomously thanks to high-performance computer units installed in the motors.

superbrain is a software that allows the Vision Neue Klasse X to have a smart drive and chassis control

There’s one superbrain at the front and one at the rear of the Vision Neue Klasse X. They work for on-board data and intelligent processing so that BMW’s new electric smart car can drive itself and avoid road blockages and potential accidents. The superbrain at the front is used to control the electric drive train of the Vision Neue Klasse X, and together, these control units can allow for more precise, less-driver-controlled cruising. Alongside the superbrains, BMW also puts its latest, 6th-generation eDrive technology to play in the Vision Neue Klasse X, featuring new, round lithium-ion battery cells. 

exterior view of BMW’s new electric smart car, the Vision Neue Klasse X

Vision Neue Klasse X’s 6th-gen eDrive technology

BMW’s 6th-generation eDrive technology can speed up the charging time of the Vision Neue Klasse X by up to 30 percent with its 800-volt system, allowing the electric smart car to charge in just ten minutes for a 300-kilometer range ride. When it comes to aerodynamics, the new eDrive technology is dubbed to be able to reduce the electric smart car’s drag by up to 20 percent for smoother cruising, and the Vision Neue Klasse X’s new tire designs and brake system add up to the car’s 25-percent overall efficiency. As of publishing the story, the BMW Group says that it is the Vision Neue Klasse sedan that will go into production first at its Plant Debrecen in Hungary in 2025. After that, the manufacturing of the Vision Neue Klasse X follows suit.

BMW is currently developing four superbrains, and two of them are set to be installed in the Vision Neue Klasse X

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BMW's Vision Neue Klasse series

dashboard view of BMW's new electric smart car, the Vision Neue Klasse X

inside BMW's new electric smart car, the Vision Neue Klasse X

design process of BMW's new electric smart car, the Vision Neue Klasse X

installing the kidney grille for BMW's new electric smart car, the Vision Neue Klasse X

cameras replacing the rear-view mirror for BMW's new electric smart car, the Vision Neue Klasse X

project info:

name: Vision Neue Klasse X

company: BMW