Zipse assured participants that the new concept car is remarkably close to standard production, making it a reliable indicator of what we can expect in 2025. BMW plans to commence production of the first models on the NE architecture in 2025 at the newly established Debrecen plant in Hungary. Subsequently, Munich and Shanghai will follow suit a year later. Additionally, the luxury brand has already confirmed its intentions to assemble NE-based vehicles in San Luis Potosi and Spartanburg in the latter half of the decade.

BMW is taking the lead with its new lineup of electric vehicles, which will include a sedan and a crossover in the 3 Series segment. These vehicles, akin to a globally available i3 (currently exclusive to China) and the next-generation iX3, will be powered by cylindrical batteries that promise impressive improvements. Specifically, they will deliver a 20% increase in energy density while reducing weight by 20%.

BMW’s sixth-generation battery technology is set to revolutionize the EV market with its numerous advantages. Notably, it will offer 30% faster charging speeds, 50% lower production costs, and an impressive 60% reduction in CO2 emissions during the manufacturing process.

To cater to different vehicle types, BMW is developing two battery sizes. SUVs will be equipped with 120-mm tall cells, while smaller vehicles will feature 95-mm cells. Both battery types will substantially increase the range compared to the current generation of EVs, with an expected improvement of up to 30%. However, the company has clarified that it is not planning to pursue a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), as it would be excessive.

In terms of charging, the efficiency of these new batteries is remarkable. Spending just a minute at a charging station will provide an additional range of 30 miles (48 kilometers). Moreover, a mere 12 minutes of charging will be sufficient to replenish the battery from 0% to 95%. Even after a decade of use, the batteries are projected to retain 80% of their original performance, showcasing their durability and long-term viability.

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In the teaser videos, we are treated to a glimpse of the new BMW 5 Series, showcasing its illuminated kidney grille with slimmer headlights featuring arrow-shaped daytime running lights similar to those found on the 2024 X5 and X6. The grille is wide, but not overly tall, and the headlights are a single cluster rather than two separate modules like those on the larger 7 Series, X7, and XM. Inside, the center touchscreen is quite large and runs on the recently debuted Operating System 8.5, which was first featured on the i7 M70 and will be introduced in more affordable models over time.

On the day of the reveal, we will also get to see the M Performance version, the i5 M60, which boasts a dual-motor setup with 590 horsepower. Additionally, a more affordable rear-wheel-drive variant known as the i5 eDrive40 will be available, offering a respectable 335 horsepower. This base electric model is estimated to have a range of up to 362 miles (582 kilometers) in the WLTP cycle or 295 miles (475 kilometers) for the US version rated by the EPA.

BMW will also offer the G60-generation 5 Series with several four- and six-cylinder engines for those who prefer traditional internal combustion engines. However, the M550i may not be returning, leaving the M5 as the only option for those seeking a V8 engine with its plug-in hybrid setup based on the “S68” engine. The flagship M5 sedan is expected to debut next year, with an M5 Touring likely following soon after. Additionally, the i5 will receive a wagon variant in 2024.

Following its global debut later this month, the new 5 Series is anticipated to hit the market in the second half of the year.

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Tesla also cut the Model 3 base version by $3,000 to $43,990, according to its website. The Tesla Model 3 Performance variant saw a price cut of $9,000 to $53,990. Reuters reported that in Germany, Tesla cut prices on the Model 3 and the Model Y from 1% to around 17%, depending on the configuration. The Model Y will now sell for 44,890 euros ($48,499), down 9,100 euros.

Other configurations, including Performance models, have also received price cuts. The Tesla Model S Plaid has the largest price reduction – $21,000 (15%) reduction. However, there is one significant price hike – the seven-seat option on the Model Y is now $4,000, a $1,000 more than before.

Earlier this month, Tesla angered customers in China by slashing prices on its Model 3 and Model Y cars there after many had agreed to take delivery at higher prices before December 31. But according to a price sheet we reviewed, customers in the United States who placed an order in December 2022 have now received a revised price sheet. Of course, they have yet to take delivery of their cars.

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BMW has recently hosted an Innovation & Sustainability Day in Germany where several electric topics were discussed. Frank Weber, BMW’s chief technology officer, met with media to discuss the company’s future electric car plans. The first topic on the agenda were the future round cells supplied by EVE, CATL and Nortvolt which will maximize power, increase the range and slower degradation.

According to Weber, the new 800V system with a fast charger will increase the electric range by 30 miles for every minute of charging. Additionally, the new car platform can accommodate single, dual or quad synchronous SSM motors, with the latter being currently tested by the M Division. When it comes to the power output, according to Car Magazine, it will allegedly start at around 270 horsepower and go as high as 1340 hp.

Of course, just cause the opportunity is there, that doesn’t mean BMW will go over 1,000 hp for future cars. In the end, a proper balance between range and power is required. But it is possible that special BMW M models might pierce through the 1 megawatt (1341 hp) ceiling. Battery packs are also rumored to range from 75 kWh up to 150 kWh, and possible more in the distant future.

The first two models to emerge under the Neue Klasse family of cars is the new BMW i3 sedan and the second generation BMW iX3. Both models are expected in 2025-2026.

[Source: BMWBLOG]

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No tech details are currently being released by Audi. But previous reports point to an increase in power and range. Allegedly, the Audi e-tron facelift would come with more efficient motors, an improved energy recovery system, and an upgraded battery pack. The total range could increase to around 373 miles (600 km) in the WLTP cycle. That’s a significant bump over the current e-tron’s 273 miles (440 km).

A rumored Audi e-tron RS will come with a tri-motor setup for a huge performance boost. Before the arrival of the Tesla Model S Plaid, Audi was proudly announcing that it would be the first carmaker to bring a tri-motor electric vehicles to the segment.

Audi e-tron was introduced to the market in 2019 and it was followed by the e-tron Sportback in 2020. But today, Audi is facing new competitors with Mercedes EQE SUV and EQS SUV being a more up-to-date choice, BMW has the iX and iX1. Audi is expected to reveal the e-Tron this year and will continue to be manufactured until 2026. That year, a dedicated electric-car platform shared with other Audi and Porsche electric vehicles will come to market.

[Photos: Audi]

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30 Percent More Electric Range

BMW promises a “huge leap in technology” as round cells will increase an EV’s range in the WLTP cycle by as much as 30% and boost charging speed by the same percentage. Neue Klasse models will support 800V tech with fast-charging capabilities allowing owners to juice up their EVs from 10% to 80% about 30 minutes quicker than on the current crop of zero-emissions models.

The automaker says that the battery cells will have a standard diameter of 46 millimeters (1.81 inches). These are being engineered in two different heights and will have less cobalt content while incorporating more nickel on the cathode side. Additional silicon content on the anode side is also planned to enhance energy density.

Furthermore, the new cell production will reduce CO2 emissions generated during cell production by 60%. An equally important target is to slash production costs by 50% compared to the current batteries. Two new battery plants are going to be built in China, with two more in Europe and another two in the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).

In the meantime, BMW has already worked out a deal with suppliers to partially use secondary materials for the raw materials lithium, cobalt, and nickel. In addition, green power will be used during the manufacturing process to reduce the levels of CO2 generated. Contracts worth more than €10 billion have been signed for the production of round battery cells.

Source: BMW

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Furthermore, CATL wants to lower the cost of batteries, thanks to new materials. Yuqun said that costs will be lower as compared to both cobalt- and nickel-based batteries. CATL provides batteries to a wide range of automakers, from Volkswagen, BMW to Ford. CATL announced last week a new client: Geely Automobile Holdings. The Chinese automaker owns brands like Volvo, Polestar and Lotus.

Recently, rumors floated around in China that Tesla Giga Shanghai would launch new Model 3 and Model Y variants with CATL’s M3P batteries. Currently, Tesla China shows electric ranges between 345 and 419 miles, but those figures are used on the CLTC standard which is far more generous than the WLTP figures. In general, the M3P is designed for vehicles with a driving range of up to about 700 km (435 miles) CLTC.

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According tot he release notes, the updated FSD Beta brings a number of improvements: driving smoothness, lane centering and changing, unprotected left turns, protected right turns, false slowdowns, creeping for visibility at intersections, speed when entering highways and identification of red light runners. You can see the full update notes here.

The company also announced an upgrade to a new two-stage architecture to produce object kinematics. This improved velocity estimates for far away crossing vehicles by 20 percent, while using one tenth of the compute. The release notes also point out the improved recall of animals by 34% and improved geometry error of ego-relevant lanes by 34%.

Tesla is rolling out FSD Beta v.10.69 in phases, starting with ~1,000 testers over the weekend. The first car detected with this update was a Tesla Model 3 Performance from Oregon.  Other owners including some Tesla YouTubers have also started getting this update.

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BMW and McLaren are apparently partnering on an electric supercar platform that would spawn a model for each brand. However, it wouldn’t be the same vehicle with different badges, but rather cars with distinctive designs inside and out. If true, these will be impressively light (for an EV) as the engineers are allegedly targeting a curb weight of 1,500 kilograms (3,306 pounds). The presumed electric supercar could have all-wheel drive courtesy of quad motors making nearly 1,100 horsepower.

CAR suggests BMW’s version might not even be a supercar, but rather a Porsche Taycan rival to replace the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe.

If you’re wondering why BMW can’t do this on its own, CAR says the brand wants to benefit from McLaren’s greater carbon fiber expertise. The electric supercar project will reportedly come to life in the 2026 to 2028 timeframe and could spawn a crossover as well.

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You can easily tell it’s a concept rather than a production model by the lack of B-pillars while the rear doors are hinged at the back. Fancy ambient lighting with long LED strips creates a cozy atmosphere by surrounding the occupants, while rear passengers benefit from an abundance of legroom. There doesn’t seem to be a steering wheel, which can only mean the Audi Urbansphere will be a fully autonomous EV.

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The Skysphere and Grandsphere have more chances of entering production one day than the Urbansphere as the prospects of an Audi minivan seem slim. After all, parent company Volkswagen is already covering that segment of the market with the hugely promising ID. Buzz. In addition, the minivan segment is far less popular than it was before SUVs began to take over, killing conventional cars in the process.

Even if the Urbansphere won’t hit the streets, we’re quite curious to find out how an electric Audi minivan looks. We won’t have to wait much longer to find out since the debut is scheduled to take place on April 19. Chances are the Four Rings had planned to bring the concept to the Beijing Auto Show, but the organizers have postponed the event indefinitely in the wake of a resurgence in coronavirus cases.

All three concepts are more than just for show taking into account that design cues will be adopted by upcoming production models. We’re specifically talking about EVs since the German luxury brand is gradually abandoning vehicles with combustion engines. In fact, it will launch its last new model with a gasoline/diesel unit in 2025, meaning all products arriving from 2026 will be EVs. By 2033, the production of all ICE-powered Audis will come to an end. However, the Ingolstadt-based marque has not excluded the possibility of extending the assembly of conventionally powered cars beyond that date in China where it expects there still might be demand later in the next decade.

Source: Audi

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