BMW’s electrification plans double down on battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. The company announced some time ago that the Neue Classe will mark the transition point in which it goes all-in on electrification. However, BMW never disclosed what models make the transition first in 2027. Well, thanks to the folks at Bimmerpost, we do now.
The first two Neue Classe vehicles slot in the compact luxury sedan and SUV segments. That means 3 Series and X3-sized models. As a result, the i3 nameplate returns based on a dedicated EV platform by mid-decade. Under the project codes NA0 and NA1, BMW will offer two body styles: sedan and wagon. Sadly, Only the former comes to North America. Alongside the i3, the iX3 joins the lineup outside of Europe and China. Like the Porsche Macan EV, it and the gas-powered X3 will be on sale at the same time.
Outside of the Neue Classe vehicles, the German automaker will continue to use its CLAR architecture. The next-generation X5, X6, and X7 all get all-electric variants, the iX5, iX6, and iX7 respectively. These three share their basic underpinnings with the internal combustion versions just like the i4 and i7. Along with the next-generation 5 Series, they’re also among the first to get BMW’s level 3 semi-autonomous system dubbed Personal Pilot. Unfortunately, Bimmerpost notes that this feature is only for Europe and China at the moment.
What’s Coming Soon to the BMW Lineup?
Closer to the present, a third i4 variant joins the lineup for the next model year. Dubbed the xDrive40, this version slots between the single-motor eDrive40 and the potent M50. With 400 hp on tap, it provides more power for a small decrease in overall driving range. As of now, we don’t know if that’s crossing the Atlantic. Bimmerpost also noted that the electrified X1 variants aren’t coming to the U.S. That’s likely due to it overlapping with the upcoming third-generation Mini Countryman, which retains the plug-in hybrid variant and adds an all-electric version.
On the other hand, the upcoming XM and M5 share the same plug-in hybrid system. That takes BMW M’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 and adds electrification components to it. Power should range around the 650 hp ballpark for the standard models and upwards of the for the eventual Competition and CS iterations. On the EV front, the next-generation 5 Series lineup adds the i5 in three variants: eDrive40, xDrive40, and M50. These will be sold alongside several plug-in hybrids including the M560e, which reportedly makes 565 hp. The i7, on the other hand, adds a second model, the M70, slotting above the xDrive60. Based on these findings, BMW remains committed to sedans. With four of them coming by 2027, it spans the full spectrum from compact to full-size.
Source: Bimmerpost
